A/N: Thanks to Greatkingrat88 for his work on the chapter and the additions he made to some of the fights, and to Jameyofthemegacosmos too.
In this chapter is the mock between the three houses of the Officers Academy will take place with Lelouch and his classmates facing two of the class houses. As this is happening we check in on a certain goddess who has been searching for a Keyblade Wielder arriving on a world, that shall be visited later in then story.
Now before going forward I'll address the reviews I cannot respond to via PM.
Captain Imaginat: Thank you and yes I noticed how Donald being want to protect the World Order is overlooked or forgotten in some of the games since the first, especially since Sora and his friends use magic in places where it doesn't exist and clearly Donald and Goofy stand out. I am sure there was some explanation to this never mentioned, but I thought it was something to touch upon and poke fun at it.
Yeah Britannia is clearly making use of the tech and resources they got from the Harbingers, and yeah if they remain the main villains of the story will depend on overall reception to them and their leader. But its true the Harbingers are the masterminds behind much of what has happened, and its for this reason as you'll see in this chapter a certain villain is taking steps to counter them which could be bad for everyone else. We'll see if a visit to Alantica in the future is possible for Lelouch's group since there is quite a number of worlds I am planning for both Sora and Lelouch's groups to check out.
Thank you and I am glad the scene with Krile was well-received since it fits both her character to do what she did and to troll poor Sora a bit once she learned all the details needed to pick apart any excuse he had.
Well Nunnally has been kidnapped and is at Hollow Bastion, so its highly doubtful a mermaid form of her would appear, but I am sure it would've been pink since those are her colors.
Anyway, on with the chapter.
Chapter 9
Skirmish of the Houses
Elsewhere, on the world of Fódlan, the three houses of the Officers Academy were about to leave for a grassy field near the monastery, where the mock battle between the Three Houses was to take place. Claude, Lelouch, and Byleth arrived in the reception hall, ahead of everyone else.
"So, how should we go about this?" Claude began. "We've ruled out laying any traps, there's no chance."
"The battlefield is mostly an open grassy plain, with some trees and small forested areas," Lelouch said, folding his arms. "Those could be useful locations for an ambush, but I doubt we could lure anyone in using conventional methods."
"There are a few ruins, too. At least one of them will make a good defensible position." Claude said.
"You seem awfully familiar with the terrain. Were you two at the battlefield last night?" Byleth inquired.
"Well, separately," Claude said.
"Huh?"
"We went to the battlefield to inspect the terrain, to gauge how useful it'd be, though I did ask Leonie to come along," Lelouch clarified. "Given that she is an experienced hunter, her insight could have been useful."
"A good idea on his part. We just ran into each other."
Byleth couldn't help but continue eyeing the pair with a mix of suspicion and curiosity.
"We can agree for sure that Teach will be the commander. So don't screw up, and everything will be fine," said Claude.
"Leave it to me," Byleth said confidently.
"Don't worry; I'll do what I can to contribute," Claude said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "As the student leader it is my obligation to ensure victory. I… could add something to their food up upset their stomachs."
"Don't even think about it," Byleth warned.
"Yeah, yeah, I read you," Claude said half amusingly. "You officially can't condone that sort of thing, can you? Hypothetically speaking, if students from the other houses started racing to the infirmary, they could write it off as a harmless stomach bug making the rounds."
"Well, well. You three seem to be having a fascinating conversation," Edelgard said, sounding amused and suspicious. Along with her group, she had marched up to the trio. "Mind if we join?"
"Claude, I can't believe you would stoop to such crooked schemes to gain an advantage!" Dimitri said disdainfully. "Have you no honor?"
"If that were really my scheme, I wouldn't be talking about it in the open," Claude boasted. "I'm afraid you'll have to wait until our battle to see what's really in store."
"It's irrelevant anyhow," Edelgard declared. "Whatever you have planned won't save you from a crushing defeat."
"As much faith as I have in our team," Dimitri said, "still, I'm rather eager to see what sort of schemes your mind conjures up."
"You two hear that?" Claude turned to Lelouch and Byleth. "We can't let these fine folks down!"
"We'll do our utmost to win without underhanded schemes," Byleth smiled. "I hope you can channel your inner schemer to create a strategy to win."
"Aw, how precious," Manuela said, just arriving with Professor Hanneman. "Looks like you and the students have become fast friends."
"While I am pleased that you are taking the initiative to acquaint yourself with the students," Hanneman said, his tone professional. "I'm afraid it's about time for the faculty strategy meeting."
"I am sorry, Professors. It's about time I returned to my training anyway," Dimitri confirmed politely. "Claude, Edelgard, Lelouch, until we meet again on the battlefield… farewell."
"I'll be looking forward to assessing your abilities, Professor. Lelouch," Edelgard nodded. "I hope neither of you will disappoint."
"Oh, please let this be a friendlier world," Tyrca said, having just broken through to another realm.
Thankfully, unlike the previous world, this one wasn't boiling. The world before that, still on Tyrca's mind, was one filled with carnivorous plants trying to eat her. It had been weeks since she had left Yggdrasil behind to begin her search and so far, the planets she had ended up on had been less than friendly. However, this time she had arrived upon did at least appear much less hostile, yet she had no on letting her guard down. Walking through a forest with no clear idea of where she was, Tyrca went looking for a village or town to learn more. With this world seeming less immediately hostile, she decided to try taking to the air.
Angelic wings of divine energy erupted from her back, and Tyrca took flight. Although cautious, the Goddess needed a bird's-eye view, or locating a settlement might take forever.
From the air, Tyrca saw nothing but forest for miles. She continued her flight for a good while, until the forested landscape started to open under her, several clearings coming into view. In the distance she saw a grassy plain, extending for miles, dotted only by a few trees here and there. Tyrca began to fear she wouldn't find any signs of civilization, but then she spotted smoke in the distance. Curious, hoping maybe it was signs of a town, the Goddess flew in the direction of the smoke. As she got closer, she realized the smoke wasn't from some bonfire. It was much too thick, and too erratic. There were fires in the distance- fires ravaging some kind of settlement. A place large enough to be called a town, with a river running right through it.
What is going on? Are bandits attacking this place?
Tyrca and her Pegasus Riders, the Gale Ritters, usually dealt with such threats often enough; they would harass merchants going to other corners of Yggdrasil. Since her realm was the center of Yggdrasil's economic hub, bandits were a common pest.
Her suspicions were confirmed as she came in closer. Brigands were ransacking the town. Some brick-and-mortar buildings were on fire, the largest of them consuming a cathedral near the heart of the town. Flying overhead, unnoticed by the marauding bandits and fleeing townsfolk below, Tyrca saw a woman and her child run into an alleyway, pursued by two men. The bandits wore leather armor and animal furs decorated with animal skulls for the sake of intimidation, and they were armed with battle-axes.
"Alright, give all your gold, and maybe we might be feeling generous." The lead bandit said, as they cornered the mother in the alley.
"You know, she's pretty generous looking," the second bandit said, eyeing the woman. She had her child take cover behind her, a helpless expression of fear on her face. The two bandits began laughing as they advanced upon the woman.
"Please, someone help us!" the woman cried out.
Without a second thought, Tyrca swooped down, conjuring a small tornado that swept up the two bandits, who were thrown high into the air. Screaming with confusion, the two of them were sent over the horizon. As a Goddess, the wind was an element tied to her, one she could manipulate easily. As the residual gusts settled, the woman looked up to see the bandits gone.
"Are you and your child alright?" Tyrca inquired.
"Th-thank you," the woman said tearfully, holding her child close to her chest.. "Gods bless you!"
"Y-You're welcome. It was nothing," Tyrca stuttered, before smiling. "Find someplace safe to hide. I'll handle the rest."
Extending her hand, Tyrca summoned a long sword with a glimmering blade and a red jewel on its green hilt. It was her signature weapon, the Divine Gear, the sword called Nibelung.
Maybe if I help them out, someone here could be willing to tell me if they've seen a Keyblade Wielder, she thought.
Exiting the alleyway, she was faced by a group of six bandits. They held their weapons at the ready but hesitated. They had to have seen what just happened to their comrades and were on guard, despite their numbers.
"If you wish to threaten this village, you shall go through me first," Tyrca said firmly, keeping calm. Although she could attack first, she was content to let the bandits make the first move. The bandits stared her down, Tyrca staring back disdainfully without making a move. Then, the spell broken, one man took his chance and rushed the Goddess with a sword in hand. She awaited his attack, dodging the swing and beheading the bandit when he came close enough, cutting through his sword and his neck in one smooth motion.
The bandit's headless body fell to the ground with a thud, but Tyrca didn't stop there. Through waiting, she surged forward. The bandits had no idea who or what they were contending with, but it was apparent she was no ordinary woman. They all charged head-on, but within a minute she had cut them down, effortlessly. Their blades offered no protection from her divine weapon, which cut through them like a hot knife through butter. Even without the advantage her weapon provided, Tyrca was a seasoned warrior who had spent her life fighting bandits and invading demons, with control over the element of wind. By the end of it they all lay dead, their blood pooling around their still twitching bodies as Tyrca flicked her blade to the side to wash the red off of it.
There are probably more of them, and none of them looked like the leader.
She began searching the town for survivors- and the rest of the bandits, to put them to the sword.
Around the same time, another group was fighting the raiding brigands, having only just arrived. There were three people in the entire party, with the fourth lagging behind them. The oldest and most dutiful of the group was a knight dressed in silver and blue armor, with brown hair and blue eyes. He was armed with a lance, which he wielded from horseback. The younger of the two men was nineteen, and had short, dark blue hair and brown eyes. He wore a blue uniform, sleeved boots and a white cape.
The group's third member was a young girl of fifteen with long blonde hair, styled into a pair of pigtails. She had blue eyes, and wore brown boots, a yellow dress and white pants under it, and she wielded a staff.
The group arrived at the town marketplace, one of the few places not completely engulfed in flames.
"Chrom, we have to stop them!" Lissa said, horrified by the state of the place.
"Don't worry," said the younger man, drawing his sword. "After today, these bandits won't be bothering anyone ever again!"
Arriving last was the young woman lagging behind. She was one year older than Lissa, and her white hair was styled into a pair of smaller pigtails, framing her face as she caught her breath. She wore a dark blue navy-style overcoat, its sleeve endings and outline lined in gold thread. It looked a few sizes too large, the sleeves hanging puffy and loose from her arms. Her cream-colored pants and shirt were equally puffy, and a short leather skirt hung from her waist, fastened by a thick leather belt. A fine pair of gloves and almost knee-high leather boots completed the picture; quite stylish. Her brown eyes regained their focus, and she turned to Chrom.
"Wait," the white-haired girl panted, catching her breath.
"Robin, you followed us here? Why?" Chrom said, surprised.
"I… I am not certain myself," Robin said, seeming as confused as her friends. "But I am armed, and I know my way around a fight, if you'll have me."
Chrom considered this, although he did wonder if Robin was capable of combat. They had found Robin unconscious in a field near their hometown not long ago. She seemed to remember nothing but Chrom's and her own name when she woke up. His knight, Fredrick, distrusted the young woman out of a sense of caution, and wondered if it was wise to get involved with her. He glanced at her, torn by indecision only momentarily. The people of this town needed help, and now.
"Of course. Strength in numbers, as they say. But stay close!"
"Remember Robin, we face experienced thieves and murderers," Fredrick warned from atop his horse. "They will grant us no quarter. It's kill or be killed."
Fredrick noticed a pair of bandits rushing towards them, weapons drawn, their intent obvious. Without hesitating, the knight spurred his horse forward, lowering his lance. He ran through the first bandit's throat, pulling on the reins of his horse. The charger reared up, its sharp hooves cracking the skull of the other bandit, which had attempted to flank him. However, it was only the first two, and a dozen more were making their way toward them from the alleys.
"I see you have a sword and a tome," Chrom said, noticing the spell book poking out of Robin's coat. "Robin, can you use magic?"
"I think so…" Robin answered hesitantly.
"You think so?" Chrom said, quite concerned.
"No, I got it," Robin held the open tome in one hand, letting out a quick chant. A lightning bolt struck down one of the bandits attempting to attack Fredrick from behind.
"Alright, but I'll stay close just in case," Chrom said, a little less uneasy.
"Wait for me," Lissa shouted, taking up the rear. "I may not be able to hit as hard as Chrom, but my magic can heal you if your bones break!"
"Let's go," Chrom cried, hurrying to catch up with Frederick along with Robin and Lissa.
Robin used her tome to unleash another bolt of lightning upon the bandits. The volatile discharge of magic scattered the approaching brigands momentarily, keeping Frederick's back safe for now. Chrom drew his weapon, clashing with the nearest bandit, armed with a battle-axe. One bandit went for Lissa and Robin, but the latter quickly dispatched the bandit with a lightning bolt, electrocuting him to death. Suddenly a fireball was hurled at them, from a mage bandit standing in the back. Robin countered it, switching her tome for the magical Levin Sword. She channeled a lightning bolt into the blade, stronger than the ones cast from her tome. The lightning flew out to meet the fireball, cutting right through it and scattering the fire magic in an explosive blast, surging right for the mage. Shocked, the mage was struck before he could think to dodge.
"Damn it," Chrom shouted, his arm singed by the exploding fireball. It wasn't too serious, but it stung.
"I got it," Lissa cried, using her magic to heal the burn.
"Sorry, Chrom," Robin said.
"Don't worry about it; if you hadn't acted, that fireball could've killed us." He shot back.
Regrouping with Fredrick, the group finished the last of the bandits before preparing to head across the river to the other side of town. Approaching the bridge, Chrom spotted six bandits and a young woman, who seemed to be held hostage on the other side, near the burning cathedral.
"Hurry, the bandits have a hostage!" Chrom gestured toward the brigands.
Across the bridge, the leader of the bandits, Garrick, stood. He held a blonde village maiden in his grasp, intent on using her as a shield against the approaching heroes.
"Heh, heh, that's right! Come to me, sheep!" Garrick mocked.
Suddenly a small tornado surrounded the young woman, forcing Garrick away from her.
"What in the blazes was that!?" said Garrick, incredulous.
"Boss, look out!" cried one of his soldiers.
Garrick turned around just in time to see Tyrca bringing her sword down upon him. He didn't even have a chance to raise his weapon; Tyrca just cut him in half. Before Garrick's body hit the ground, the Goddess was already bringing her sword around to behead the nearest bandit as the rest of Garrick's men turned, attempting to avenge their fallen leader.
"What just happened!?" Lissa cried, as Tyrca cut down another bandit.
"It seems we have an unexpected ally," Chrom said, attacking the closest bandit. "Whoever it is, it's some help for us, so let's press our advantage."
Fredrick had his concerns, but he didn't have a chance to voice them, as he'd charged right into the fray and was stuck in fighting. Robin and Lissa didn't fall too far behind; the former used her lightning bolts to strike the brigands again and again. Tyrca cut down another bandit, leaving a trail of bodies. The fight turned into a slaughter, and before too long the few survivors turned tail and ran.
"I think that's the last of them," Chrom wiped the sweat from her brow, turning his attention to Tyrca. "Thank you for helping those people."
"Not at all," Tyrca warmly smiled. "Bandits have always been trouble where I am from, so I am used to dealing with them. I was more than happy to save these people. I am Tyrca… just Tyrca," said the goddess, deciding to leave her goddess status secret for now.
"I'm Chrom, and this is Sir Frederick, Robin and Lissa. So you're some kinda traveler?" Chrom said.
"Yes, I am," Tyrca answered truthfully. "I was looking for a town to ask directions and other questions, before coming upon this town. Once I realized it was under attack, I stepped in to help."
"I see. Your help was much appreciated," Chrom said. "As a token of my gratitude, I would be happy to give you the directions you seek."
"Thank you. This might seem like an odd question… have you heard of a weapon called a Keyblade?"
Unseen by the others, in one of the nearby buildings that had not caught fire, there was a man watching them intently. He wore a dark robe with ornate, pointed metallic decorations by the sleeves and shoulders. Only the lower half of his face could be seen, the rest hidden behind a red mask with white circular lines curving over the nose and forehead.
"Well, I don't recall something like this happening," the masked man said, intrigued. "It seems I might have to modify the plan a little."
Back on Fódlan, in a clearing some distance away from the monastery, with a few trees dotting the grassy plains and some small clusters of bushes here and there, the Three Houses of the Officer's academy gathered. Byleth and her class consisted of Lelouch, Claude, Hilda, Lorenz, Marianne, and Lysithea. The battle would be the professors against six of their students. Naturally, Edelgard and Dimitri would be among the six for their respective class, but no one knew who else would be joining them.
"So, what are we up against?" Lelouch asked, as he and the rest of his Golden Deer classmates gathered around Byleth.
"I don't know, but the Black Eagles specialize in magic," Claude said. "We can expect some spellcasters, especially Hubert, around and close to Edelgard,"
"Hubert specializes in magic, then?" Lelouch asked, wanting details.
"Hubert von Vestra is well versed in dark magic, so his attacks will hit hard from a distance, and could even poison us," Claude shared. "It won't be lethal but given how he is Edelgard's bodyguard and her right-hand man, he won't leave Edelgard's side. He'll be coming to battle alongside her, given how he is called the Brains of the Black Eagle House."
"We could deal with him if we get close enough," Byleth turned to Lelouch. "Your Keyblade allows you to cast spells much faster than a normal magician."
"How fast, exactly?" Lysithea inquired, curious.
"I can cast at least two or three spells quickly, depending on how much power I can put into them." Lelouch replied.
"That could allow us to overwhelm someone like Hubert, catch him by surprise. I think our chances are good so far," Lorenz said.
"True, but since this is Edelgard we're dealing with, she'll bring along a few more athletic fighters. Meaning we'll likely see Petra, Caspar, or Ferdinand. I would guess Ferdinand and Caspar are the most viable choices," Claude said.
"What of the Blue Lions? I suspect they'll bring more physical people. Do they have any magic users among them?" Lelouch inquired.
"Only two that I know of," Lysithea said. "One of them is Annette. The other is Mercedes, and she uses white magic for healing."
"What kind of tactics could we expect from them?" Byleth asked.
"None," Claude said, much to Lelouch and Byleth's surprise. "They don't have anyone really knowledgeable on tactics, so they've usually just charged in."
"Anyone who might be more eager to fight than the rest?" Lelouch asked.
"Planning to bait them?" Byleth said.
"If that's possible," Lelouch retorted.
"There is one person likely to charge in, eager for a fight. His name is Felix Hugo Fraldarius, always eager to fight stronger opponents, and he's got trouble with tactics," Claude said with a grin. "I've heard he has been wanting to challenge you two."
"I am certain we can win this, if we play it right," Byleth said confidently.
"It sounds like you've got an idea," Lelouch said.
"Well, Teach does have command as our professor," Claude said. "So, what's the plan?"
Sometime later, gathered by some ruins, the six members of Blue Lion House, led by Dimitri and Professor Hanneman, weighed their options.
"The enemy may strike at us at any time. Be ready." Dimitri said, readying his training spear.
"Forgive me, Your Highness, but this is Claude we're dealing with," a tall young man, nearly seven feet tall, warned. "A frontal attack isn't his style."
The tall, broad-shouldered eighteen-year-old stood out from his classmates, not just because of his stature but also because of his dark skin tone. He had short, gray hair and green eyes. He carried a training axe in one hand, standing behind Dimitri like a guardian, ready to defend him with his life.
"You have a point, Dedue. We can't be too careless when we're dealing with Claude."
"I think the enemy is coming to us," said a seventeen-year-old young man with molten eyes and dark blue hair. "The one with the Keyblade seems to be challenging us."
Ahead of them, standing outside a cluster of trees, was Lelouch. But he was not just standing around; he had begun casting spells. He sent a cluster fireballs their way, mindful of reducing the power for the mock battle. They would explode and potentially knock someone out, but it wouldn't harm them beyond perhaps singing their clothing. Unfortunately, this made his fireballs fairly easy to dodge.
"I'll deal with him," Felix declared, and boldly charged.
"Wait, Felix!" Dimitri said, but Felix was already closing in on Lelouch.
"I'll cover him," a young woman offered, readying her training spear. She had long, blond braided hair and green eyes.
"Alright, Ingrid, but watch yourselves. I think Felix is heading into an ambush, so fall back if the situation is unfavorable," Dimitri cautioned.
"Understood," Ingrid Brandl Galatea said, and hurried after Felix.
What the Blue Lions made up for in their lack of tactics was having the strongest sense of unity and teamwork among the three student houses. Felix was the sole exception, tending to fight alone, although he was one of the strongest fighters of his class. Sometimes it did help the rest of his classmates draw out the enemy during similar mock battles against Knights of Seiros trainees, but this time Dimitri feared it would not work so well.
"Ashe," Dimitri called, "I want you to follow behind Ingrid. Keep your distance so you can provide range support."
"Got it," the young, green-eyed man said, and hurried off with a bow in hand.
"Annette, I want you to stay close to Dedue and me," Dimitri ordered the second youngest within his unit. "The enemy might try to flank us."
Despite being sixteen, Annette was a magical prodigy like Lysithea. Her short orange hair was styled into small pigtails, and her blue eyes made her stand out.
"Got it," Annette said.
Felix hurried into the cluster of trees to pursue Lelouch, but as Dimitri feared, he was about to walk right into an ambush. The shade of the trees hid it from him, but Felix slipped, losing his balance, falling onto the ground. Confused and trying to get back into his feet before the enemy could attack, he realized the ground had been frozen solid, turning it into a slick sheet of ice. Struggling to find his balance, Felix found it difficult to stand up.
Lysithea stood a safe distance away with a smirking Lelouch and unleashed a blast of dark magic against the struggling Felix. He scrambled to get out of the way, but failed to find his footing. The blast caught him dead on, and he was sent sliding across the ice and into the trunk of a tree with enough force to knock him out instantly.
But they had no time to celebrate. No sooner had Felix been knocked out than Ingrid came charging in, using the ice to her advantage, sliding across it and towards them at terrifying speed. Caught unawares, neither Lelouch nor Lysithea had the time to open fire, and Ingrid readied her polearm. Lelouch raised his Keyblade, managing to parry the first strike. He nearly lost his balance, though, the impact sending him stumbling back.
Rather than follow through with her attack, Ingrid turned to Lysithea, unleashing a ferocious assault. Lysithea managed to evade the first few thrusts, narrowly, but she failed to anticipate the third thrust. Ingrid thrust the blunt end of her weapon straight into the mage's gut, knocking the wind straight out of Lysithea. She bent over, gasping for air and clutching her midsection. Ingrid raised her polearm for a finishing blow, and Lelouch scrambled to intercept her before it was too late. His Keyblade caught her swing just as it came down.
Rather than try to finish Lysithea off, Ingrid instantly switched gears, committing to the fight with Lelouch. She shoved his blade aside, the blunt end of her spear narrowly missing the exiled prince's face. There were no witty quips, or bold exclamations; Ingrid simply went for the kill with methodical, fast swings. The power behind her strikes was undeniable.
Crest users, Lelouch thought, struggling to even parry as she pushed him back, one step at a time, so that's what they're good for.
Without the grueling training he had been put through, Lelouch would have been out already, without a doubt. Ingrid fought like a veteran, her form almost flawless. Lelouch sweated, forced to take yet another step back as a low swing went for his leg, followed immediately by a thrust aimed at his neck. If this kept on going, he was done for. Lysithea was still on the ground, gasping for breath, and in a prolonged fight, Ingrid would win- her skills were superior, and although his guard was holding for now, he'd screw up sooner or later. And that was if she didn't get backup from one of her teammates…
But he had a trick to play still. He pushed hard into her next strike, channeling magic into his Keyblade. As their blades locked, an intense cold spread from his weapon to hers, the chill biting into her hands and weakening her weapon. Ingrid's eyes widened; it seemed she had some idea of what was happening. Rather than pulling back she shoved herself into Lelouch, close, and hooked one leg into the fold of his knee. Caught unawares, the Britannian fell to the ground with a thud. By instinct he rolled to the side immediately, the point of Ingrid's weapon glancing his chest. He wasn't sure whether his spell had done its work or not, but it didn't seem like it would happen in time regardless. He was down, and against a better opponent too. Unless something happened here and now, he had only moments before he was done for. He tried to raise his blade, but Ingrid kicked his hand aside, raising her polearm-
And then a strong gust of wind struck Ingrid dead on, sending her tumbling. Lelouch blinked, seeing a still panting, wheezing Lysithea pointing her hand at the knight. She was still on her knees, slowly getting up. Lelouch followed her lead, using the Keyblade to prop himself up.
"Together?" Lysithea said, still short of breath.
"Together," Lelouch agreed.
Ingrid had recovered quite smoothly, landing on her feet. Without hesitating, she charged again. The power of her crest was nearly too much; Lelouch could only keep this up for so long. But Lysithea had taken up the flank, another gust of wind surging forward. This time Ingrid was ready, pivoting to the side and dashing forward, going right for Lysithea. Paling, the caster stepped back. Forced to dodge a heavy overhand swing, she tripped on a root and fell. Had Lelouch not aimed a fireball quickly, she would have been finished then and there- but Ingrid could not ignore the threat, and spun around to parry the blast. She held her ground, rocked but not quite knocked off her feet. She kicked at Lysithea, who let out a yelp and stayed down for the moment. Lelouch met her charge head on, striking hard and heavy. They clashed one, two, three times, and then…
Just like that, Ingrid's weapon shattered.
"What the…" she said, eyes widened.
"I figured if the cold wasn't enough, then heating something recently chilled might," Lelouch said, breathing heavily. "Metal is pretty brittle to begin with, it can't take that kind of stress."
"And you can't take this," Lysithea said, a gust of wind surging out. The caster was sitting up, panting heavily, a frustrated expression on her face. The discharge caught Ingrid unawares, sending her flying until a heavy collision with a tree branch firmly knocked her to the forest floor. She did not get up again.
"Thank you for the assist, Lysithea," Lelouch said.
"I just waited for an opening."
"Let's withdraw before the rest of the Blue Lions decide to join in," Lelouch said.
"Right," Lysithea muttered a quick chant, conjuring a large pillar of fire. She was careful enough to use it where it wouldn't, hopefully, set the trees ablaze. The sudden flames melted the ice, turning the water onto steam. A thick fog covered the cluster of trees and much of the surrounding area. While it made it hard for the duo to see themselves, it also made it difficult for anyone else to target the pair as they fled the area.
"Do you think anyone is pursuing us?" Lysithea asked, her tone hushed.
"I don't think so," Lelouch replied. "Only a fool would chase an enemy this far from his comrades, especially when they don't know where the rest of our classmates are."
Tempted by fate or his words, they suddenly noticed someone approaching them.
He was a young man with light orange hair with matching eyes. Wearing the traditional uniform for male students, he looked a little too optimistic, a little too cocksure.
"That's Ferdinand," Lysithea said.
"According to Claude, Edelgard tends to get irritated by him, because he wants to compete against her all the time," Lelouch recalled. "Likely very eager to prove himself."
"I shall be fighting on the frontlines," Ferdinand declared, with lance in hand. "I'll stop the enemy's advance with grace."
"Get behind me," Lelouch said, readying his Keyblade and a spell with it.
"And I'll defeat the wielder of that legendary weapon you hold," Ferdinand said, raising his weapon to attack.
"Aero," Lelouch said as he and Lysithea were surrounded by a wall of wind.
The wind became intense, expanding outward and repelling Ferdinand, knocking him off his feet as soon as he got within striking distance. Not having expected a defensive spell with such pushback, Ferdinand was on the ground before he knew what had happened. Before he could get up, Lelouch had closed the distance, bringing down his Keyblade in a single, fierce stroke. The young man was instantly knocked out.
"Look out!" Lysithea shouted as she cast Dark Spikes, raining four spears of darkness from above to Lelouch's right.
Hubert was too late to help his classmate, having attempted to follow Ferdinand to support him before going off on his own. He decided to take this chance to defeat Lelouch while he was occupied. Lucky for Lelouch, Lysithea had spotted him, quickly casting a spell to stop him in his tracks. Lelouch drew back, realizing the danger as Hubert did the same, narrowly evading Lysithea's spell.
"Wait… where is the rest of their class?" Hubert thought aloud, concerned.
Edelgard was with the rest of her classmates, having found some old wooden barricades overgrown with bushes, giving them a defensive position. Like Dimitri, she wasn't expecting Claude to attack head-on, but anything that could give them some defensive options would be helpful. However, she had already hit a snag with an overeager Ferdinand. Hubert had gone to support him, and Edelgard was concerned. He was facing two-to-one odds in the distance.
"This is not how I wanted to do this," Edelgard said.
"Should we go and back him up?" Asked a young man behind her.
"Easy, Caspar," another woman stood near Edelgard said.
She was older than Caspar by two years, and she stood out as the most beautiful girl in the academy, thanks to her fame as a former singer.
"We just can't go charging in," Dorothea said. "Since this is Claude, we're dealing with and a highly capable professor, from what I've heard."
"That is true, but in fact… where are they?" Edelgard saw no sign of them, or the rest of the Golden Deer class. She began thinking about where they might be, and a troubling thought came to mind. A mix of shock and realization was on her face as she turned to her classmates.
"Caspar, Dorothea, get ready. The enemy is about to…."
A blunt-tipped arrow interrupted her, as it flew by her head.
Edelgard's worst fears were made whole. The steam created by Lelouch and Lysithea had allowed Byleth and the rest of her class to slip around the Black Eagles to come at them from behind, catching them by surprise. Their plan would've worked better, if not for Professor Manuela catching them and trying to fend them off using holy magic, but Lorenz swiftly took her down, his fighter skills more than a match for the caster. Manuela's intervention gave Edelgard the precious few moments needed to turn and face the incoming Golden Deer class.
The steam wasn't just a distraction, Edelgard realized. It was a signal to attack us!
It was a bold move to be certain, but one no one would've seen coming. Edelgard was certain Byleth, Claude, and the others used the trees south and west of their position. There were gaps between the trees which would have allowed Edelgard to spot them coming in advance if Lelouch and Lysithea had not only created that distraction to mask their approach but also acted as a signal to attack.
And they couldn't have attacked us at a worse time, Edelgard thought. With two classmates down and the battlefield thrown into confusion, their cohesion was broken, and they were more vulnerable than ever.
Caspar rushed forward with a training axe to meet the enemy. Behind him was Dorothea, casting dark magic spells to provide cover for her classmate. Edelgard joined the fray herself, hoping Hubert could handle Lelouch and Lysithea alone.
Caspar managed to get around Lorenz, striking the boy with his weapon. Had this been a normal battle, such a blow would've been fatal, but it only hurt since it was a blunt training weapon. Lorenz stood his ground, but he wouldn't be able to counterattack in time before Caspar took him down. Luckily Claude intervened, managing to knock Caspar out with a blunt arrow to the forehead. Rather than being grateful, Lorenz was annoyed that Claude had saved him.
Byleth faced down Edelgard, blade raised. Byleth, already a veteran at her age, was unphased, advancing on the princess with purpose. Edelgard took her stance, her battle-axe ready. The two of them sized each other up for a second, and then it begun.
Byleth took a bold step forward, bringing down her blade hard. Edelgard caught the sword in between her curved axe blade and the spike at its top, twisting it aside and throwing a spray of fire right at Byleth's chest. The veteran pivoted out of the way, pulling her blade back and going for a sharp thrust. Edelgard's axe, unwieldier than Byleth's nimble blade, only barely managed to parry the strike in time.
Byleth unleashed a flurry of blows, lightning fast, one thrust after another aiming at the princess' chest, arms, feet. Edelgard was forced on the defensive, but somehow kept up despite her heavier weapon, despite the disparity in skill and experience. Byleth was a near peerless warrior, but Edelgard had been trained by the best since her youth, and her immense strength allowed her to handle the axe with ease. She caught a thrust that nearly grazed her cheek and shoved Byleth's blade back, going for a wide, hard swing. Her momentum broken, Byleth took a step back. Seizing the initiative, Edelgard launched into a series of wide, aggressive swings.
Byleth tried to find an opening, but despite the seemingly reckless attacks, Edelgard took care not to overextend, not to leave any obvious openings for a counter-thrust. The swings were not meant to break Byleth, but to set the pace, take charge of the fight.
It would not be so easy, though. Although Edelgard left no obvious openings, Byleth found a way. Just as she leaned away from a heavy strike she leaned forward, extending her blade, slapping the flat side against Edelgard's knuckles. The princess flinched, wincing with pain. Her guard momentarily thrown off, Byleth seized on the opportunity and launched into a fierce thrust. Sensing she was about to be overtaken, Edelgard slammed her palm down, a roaring fire appearing between the two combatants. The heat forced Byleth back, and Edelgard took a second to breathe.
"Impressive," Byleth said dispassionately.
"Likewise," Edelgard said. She had worked up a sweat now, and she was breathing heavily. Byleth was like nobody she had ever faced before, living up to her reputation and then some.
Then again, Edelgard had held her own. This would be interesting…
Despite facing two enemies, Dorothea wasn't just skilled in magic, but also capable of wielding a sword. It was less having to defend herself in battle, but more of several unwanted male suitors who had refused to take no for an answer. She began by casting thunder, hoping to take out Claude, but was forced to switch to a sword to fend off Lorenz. Claude had barely dodged her attack, but much to Lorenz's surprise, Dorothea skillfully dodged his attack before knocking him out with a blow to the head.
Claude avenged his classmate, hitting Dorothea's head with a blunt arrow, instantly knocking her out. Now Edelgard, already having her hands full with Byleth, was left to fight a three-on-one battle.
Edelgard struck wildly towards all sides, using every trick in her arsenal. She was a formidable force, but she had been at best evenly matched with Byleth; surrounded on all sided with three enemies to content with, it was only a matter of time. She lashed out to keep them on their guard, but as she did so Byleth's blade caught her on the wrist, the sudden pain forcing the axe out of her hand. Before Edelgard could react, the veteran had surged forward, slamming the hilt of her blade into the princess' forehead. Blackness took her, and Edelgard fell unconscious.
Although outnumbered, Lysithea and Lelouch working in tandem to take him down, Hubert stood his ground and held it well. His quick spellcasting kept them both at bay, forcing them to stay on their toes, neither of them able to land a good hit- but neither could he; handling two enemies at once meant he could not really deal a decisive blow to either of them. It was a stalemate- for now.
Lysithea chanted a quick spell, a Wrap sending Lelouch behind Hubert with a close-range teleportation. But the mage was ready, spinning around to face him with a point-blank spell. This was his one chance to even the score, to take one of them out-
Out of nowhere, Hilda struck. Barging into his flank with the subtlety of a locomotive she struck, her axe lashing out and catching him right in the side. Hubert was sent flying, the immense force of the blow knocking him out instantaneously. Lysithea ran over to where he had fallen, a good twenty yards away, to make sure he was still alive.
That happened! Lelouch thought, shocked by her immense strength. He had been told how lazy Hilda was before, but seeing how quickly she closed in on Hubert and the strength of her blow gave a new perspective.
"Who's the best? I am the best!" Hilda cheered.
Is her laziness just some kind of act? How can she underachieve, yet possess such strength?
"Hubert's alive," Lysithea said, having checked his pulse. "But I doubt he'll be waking up anytime soon."
"I guess Byleth sent you to back us up," Lelouch said. "Thanks, Hilda."
"It was nothing. I wish I could've stayed on the sidelines."
"Why? You took down Hubert with one hit!" Lelouch exclaimed.
"Nah, it was just a lucky hit," Hilda dismissed.
Lelouch was about to say something more, but Lysithea placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You know this is a bad place to argue?"
"I know, let's join up with the others," Lelouch sighed.
Hurrying forward, Lelouch, Lysithea, and Hilda rejoined with Byleth and Claude. The group began heading towards The Blue Lions. They were unaware of the Black Eagles being defeated, further complicated by their reluctance to abandon the ruins Hanneman was occupying. No matter what they did, they were at a disadvantage.
We may have been at a disadvantage against an enemy within defensible positions, but we hold control of the flow of battle, Lelouch thought.
He understood that while being on the offensive carried its risks, an attacker would control the flow of battle. A defender could enjoy their advantages depending on the battlefield. Whatever defenses they had, they would be made to wait for an attacker to come to them. The Lions and Eagles might have had the advantage in numbers and decent defensible positions, but they faced an enemy who knew their strengths and weaknesses. With them content to let them make the first move, the Golden Deer had plenty of options to turn it around.
Claude's knowledge of his classmates and his crafty nature helped them identify weaknesses to exploit. Byleth was more experienced in leading others, and a very capable fighter. Lelouch lacked Byleth's years of battlefield experience, but he made up for it with tactical acumen. He easily understood what Byleth was planning, and Lelouch didn't just devise a means to make it happen; he was clever enough to know how to optimally enhance what she had in mind.
If only I could lead such a force like that, my task to bring down Britannia on the battlefield would be assured, Lelouch thought.
Dimitri, on the other hand, was of a different mind. He lamented how easily he and his classmates had been outmaneuvered, and they were facing five against four. It wasn't a big disadvantage, but facing a seasoned mercenary and a young man wielding a powerful weapon only added to their odds.
Nothing we can do now except to face them, Dimitri thought.
"Ashe, try to lure them this way," Dimitri commanded. "Dedue, Annette, I'll be counting on you two."
"Yes, your highness," Dedue said with a bow.
"Got it!" Annette said, preparing a spell.
Byleth led the Golden Deer towards the remaining Blue Lions. Lysithea and Lelouch began casting spells of their own, the former casting Miasma and Lelouch ready to cast fire. Lysithea's spell saw her gathering toxic particles from the atmosphere before unleashing it as an eruption of poisonous gas at the feet of Dimitri.
"Your Highness!?"
Dedue shoved Dimitri out of harms' way, just as Lelouch and Lysithea had planned. The fireball was aimed at Dimitri, but Annette intercepted it in time with fire of her own. His fireball thwarted, Lelouch was quick to cast another spell. The superior rate of fire from his Keyblade overwhelmed Annette, knocking her out.
Ashe was forced onto the defensive as Claude kept firing arrows at him. He was able to dodge, but he was kept on the defensive, unable to return fire. To make things worse, Byleth and Hilda were in hot pursuit. Just as Ashe was distracted with Hilda and Byleth, a blunt arrow hit him in the back of the head, rendering him unconscious.
Meanwhile, Dimitri sought to avenge his classmates, going after Lysithea first. However, Lelouch was casting Thunder at him, protecting his teammate. The tactic worked, but now Dimitri changed targets, charging him instead. Lelouch grinned as he cast Aero around himself at the last moment, sending Dimitri flying. Unlike Ferdinand, though, Dimitri recovered in mid-air and landed on his feet. The student leader didn't waste a second, because Lysithea had already cast her next spell. Dimitri immediately leapt to the side, narrowly evading a fireball that could have knocked him out in one blow.
He quickly rushed Lelouch again. Lelouch was ready with his Aero, but Dimitri stopped his charge at the last second, taking a step back. The wind spell dissipated harmlessly, and Lelouch's eyes widened. He's learning!
He was forced to block Dimitri's counterattack. Lelouch had never faced a lance-wielding foe before, and the reach and skill made the fight difficult. Lysithea couldn't get a clear shot because Dimitri was mindful of always keeping Lelouch in between himself and the caster. Any wide area of effect spell that had any chance of hitting Dimitri would risk Lelouch getting caught up in it.
Lucky for Lelouch, Byleth arrived and skillfully got between them. Lelouch retreated, with Dimitri left to square off with the new arrival, and soon found himself pushed back. Lelouch, Claude, and the rest of Golden Deer house watched as Dimitri was forced onto the defensive against the more experienced Byleth. But there was one person left, who came to the prince's aid.
Professor Hanneman was readying a spell, but Lelouch wasn't worried. He was aware of the aged Professor's presence, but he made it appear he was unaware so Lysithea could attack him with a shower of dark spikes, taking out the Professor in a surprise attack. Around the same time, Byleth disarmed Dimitri, knocking him out with a blow to the torso.
"I guess that means we win," Claude said triumphantly.
"Lorenz got taken out, though," Byleth displayed a saddened expression.
"Considering we were outnumbered, this is a well-earned victory with very few losses," Lelouch applauded. "In a real battle, against such odds, you would be lucky to win against such odds with only a few casualties."
"I agree, Teach," Claude said.
"Great, so…yay, team!" Hilda cried, stretching her arms up. "Can we go back to the monastery? I am just glad it's over. No more being on the battlefield for weak, little old, me."
Lelouch merely looked at Hilda with a raised eyebrow, wondering if she was being serious.
How can you call yourself weak after what you did to Hubert?
Elsewhere in the universe, a woman with black flowing robes and a matching horned headdress stood on a balcony overlooking a desolate landscape. Years ago, this world had been overrun by the Heartless. But unlike many worlds, this one had endured. At the heart of an abandoned and devastated town, the castle once marked as the center had been rebuilt. Warped in machinery, stone, and clockwork, it stood as a twisted mockery of its former self.
This defiled fortress was Hollow Bastion, the lair of Maleficent, the Mistress of all evil.
"Oh, Maleficent?" a voice said.
Entering her chambers was a portly, black-furred, anthropomorphic cat dressed in a red and blue outfit. The design was unusual: blue suspenders with a red shirt, blue shoes, and blue padded armor on his shoulders. His blue fingerless gloves blended with his black fur, and his black eyes shone with a cautionary light.
"Your guests are here!" Pete declared formally.
"Very good," Maleficent held her staff. "I shall join you."
Following Pete through the deserted halls of the transformed castle, Maleficent arrived at a darkened hall with a circular stone platform at one end, surrounded by stone pillars. Waiting for Maleficent and Pete were two figures standing at the platform serving as a table. The shortest stood at five feet and six inches tall. He wore tattered maroon robes, black gloves, and a white turtleneck with a golden emblem upon the chest with matching pants and black boots. Under the hood was a young man in his late twenties with short black hair and black eyes.
The tallest of the pair, standing at a gigantic eight feet, had long blonde hair, icy blue eyes, and a silver eye-like organ in his forehead. Adding to his imposing stature was white and gold leather regal attire, with a white shirt under it.
"So this is the Mistress of Evil you told us about," the shortest of the two said, turning around to address Maleficent. The taller of the two remained stoically silent, allowing his companion to speak.
"I am sure that Pete told you our names. Please permit me to stand on ceremony and introduce ourselves nonetheless." The hooded man made an extravagant welcoming gesture. "I am Fandaniel, leader of the Telophoroi, and this man next to me is my esteemed patron: his Radiance, Lord Zenos yae Galvus."
Zenos remained quietly passive, so Maleficent addressed Fandaniel instead.
"Have you given our proposal due consideration?"
"Yes, we have, especially I am very interested in what you offer. These Heartless are quite destructive," Fandaniel with a sadistic smirk. "It's shocking to hear they are capable of consuming worlds. However, I must ask what you expect in return for gifts such as the knowledge and means of traveling to other worlds?"
"Straight to the point," Maleficent placed a hand on the orb atop her staff. "Aside from enjoying the benefits of the alliances I've made, I ask for help in one matter. Something I think your Radiance is qualified to handle."
"How so?" Fandaniel said as Zenos remained silently stoic. "I doubt you would've made such a request, seeing you risk insulting my patron."
"A fair point, which brings me to what I ask in exchange for your assistance," Maleficent made a hand gesture, conjure an image of a warrior upon the stone table. It was a huge young woman with long golden hair, blue eyes, seemingly as tall as Zenos. She wore a white battle suit trimmed with gold, a red cape, a crown-shaped headgear, and a sword with a golden hilt. She was battling a horde of heartless, undaunted by their numbers.
"Her name is She-Ra, known as the Princess of Power. She is one of seven Princesses of Light I need to open the Door to Darkness, but she has proven difficult to capture."
"We've thrown a whole army of Heartless at her, and it's still not enough," Pete said. "We got no one to take on someone like that."
"Really, and what of the world itself? Are its defenders that weak, that they rely on her solely for defense?" Fandaniel said, putting a hand on his chin.
"No, their world has access to incredible weapons, and its people use powerful magics," Pete answered. "The world's regions are governed by Princesses, each possessing unique magic."
"Really now?" Fandaniel's grin grew. "And did you have plans for the world, once you have the Princess?"
"We would let the Heartless devour the world after their stubborn defiance," Maleficent said vindictively before a dark smile appeared. "We only need the Princess taken alive. The rest of the world, I wouldn't care what became of it. Let's say you wanted to do something with it… I've heard about the towers you've been building and what they need."
"That is true," Fandaniel said. "And knowing the companions of Lord Zenos' friend are likely to interfere in our plans. Obtaining alternative energy sources could help ensure our plan's success despite the expected interference. Not that I doubt their actions will truly hinder it, but what you are suggesting could speed things up. The Heartless could be useful too. I am curious to see how they consume whole worlds."
"Is the woman strong?" Zenos finally spoke.
"Very strong," Maleficent answered. "She was capable of channeling enough power to wipe out an empire that conquered many worlds. She has destroyed armies of Heartless on her own, and her friends helping will quicken the process."
"I see that your Radiance is interested in hunting her," Fandaniel grinned evilly. "Surely someone with such a fearsome reputation must at least offer better sport than the weaklings you've been killing; they offer depressingly little challenge."
"I want to only have a rematch with my friend, with the world set ablaze to provide a worthy stage for our reunion. Anything else means nothing to me. But if the girl is as powerful as you claim, she will be worth enough to hunt and test myself, so that I'll be at my best when I face my friend once more," Zenos looked intrigued, his eyes glimmering with interest.
"I certainly hope so," Fandaniel warned. "I do hope you did not exaggerate her strength. My lord would be disappointed with an easy fight."
"I promise you, if he desires a challenging battle, he shall have it," Maleficent said. "Once I have the girl, the world will be yours to do with as you please, alongside everything else I've promised."
"If Lord Zenos isn't opposed to it, we accept," Fandaniel said.
However, unbeknownst to the group, an unseen man was leaning against one of the pillars at the other end of the room.
An hour later, a cellphone rang, prompting the owner to answer.
"Hello," he answered, gazing out at the picturesque cityscape before him. The red mask revealed no emotions, the windy breeze making his black cloak flutter.
"I see," the masked man quietly said, listening intently. "Don't worry about it; it's a minor complication. It's nothing we aren't prepared to deal with."
He listened further.
"It's nothing to worry about. Rest assured, I'll pass it along. Just keep me updated."
And with that, he hung up.
"Is there a problem?"
The masked man turned around to address his guest. He was dressed in a rather unusual, complex outfit. His head was covered by red bandages and two black belts, leaving only his right eye and mouth visible. The rest of his attire was made up of a red cloak, black segmented armor on his chest, and black robes around his waist.
"Maleficent has gained two dangerous new allies, ones I fear the current Keyblade Wielders cannot face at their current levels," the masked man said.
"Who are they?" the other masked figure asked.
"One of them is Zenos yae Galvus, former Crown Prince of the Garlean Empire," the masked figure warned ominously. "He is a successful general and one of the most dangerous warriors of all time. He was strong enough to take on the most skilled warriors and lead his armies to crush all opposition, and that's before he modified himself."
"He modified himself. Would you mind elaborating on that?"
"Garleans, like Zenos, are unable to use magic. Yet, they are intrigued by the Warrior of Light's ability, Echo. It allows those who have it to resonate with the souls of others and view a person's past, and speak any language seamlessly. Masters, like myself, can transcend their mortal forms."
"I assume Zenos achieved this through artificial means?"
"You are correct, DiZ," The hooded man said to his masked companion. "A scientist within the Empire had found a way to accomplish this after some trial and error. Even more shockingly, it was a perfected form of the process. Zenos not only became gained the power of Echo, but he could possess other bodies and even survive after the death of his body by possessing an empty corpse nearby."
"I see. What of the other one?"
"He is known to me, Fandaniel," The hooded man's lower face showed barely restrained disgust. "A traitor to the Convocation of Fourteen, in his past life and his current one."
"What does he want, power?"
"No. He wants to die and take everyone with him. He went mad after his beloved Allgan Empire fell, and we welcomed him into our ranks," The hooded man said. "Worryingly, despite his insanity, he still retains his brilliant scientific mind, having been their greatest technologist and magician."
"The loss of his homeland shook him that badly?"
"Yes and no, but that is what drives him."
"Are they an immediate threat to the Keyblade Wielders?"
The hooded companion shook his head.
"Lucky for those boys, they aren't. However, they will be a serious problem if Fandaniel and Zenos decide to aid Maleficent. Yet, Zenos might be more likely not to, unless one of the wielders proves to be a worthy foe."
"Zenos cares only for battle, then?"
"Due to bad parenting and a loveless upbringing, on top of having everything he wanted, Zenos finds no joy in anything except battle," The hooded man replied. "He seeks someone or something to push him to his limits. He is a challenge seeker, willing to let the whole world burn to get what he wants. Nothing else gives him any fulfillment."
"That could be a blessing. If we are fortunate, Zenos will not aid Maleficent in preventing the rescue of the Princesses," DiZ said hopefully.
"Maybe, but I doubt we'll be that lucky. Maleficent has obtained Fandaniel and Zenos as allies, and she intends to set them loose upon Etheria. One of the seven princesses and the strongest among them, She-Ra, resides there. At the moment, all efforts to capture her have failed. Zenos is supposed to make that difference."
"Can She-Ra win against someone like Zenos?"
"I seriously wish I could say yes, but it will be a toss-up," The hooded man admitted hesitantly. "We can only hope she'll emerge victorious, but we should adapt our plans accordingly if she doesn't."
"What do you propose?"
"For starters, the other Keyblade Wielder would benefit from time spent with the Warrior of Light. He is a seasoned hero who has defeated God-like beings. He has saved the world quite a few times. Sora could learn much from a man like him," the Hooded man said. "As for the others I've kept a close eye on, I think he'll need a bodyguard. Able-bodied warriors and mages surround him, but I worry none of them would be a match for Zenos as they are."
"Do you have anyone in mind?"
"I plan to have one at some point," The hooded man said rubbing his chin. "I had someone else in mind, but Zenos becoming involved has forced me to reconsider. All I need is time to consider my options."
And time was a resource quickly running out.
A/N:
Well this could be bad news, in response to the Harbingers, and despite having an agreement with them, Maleficent is expanding her alliance of villains and one of these new villains is Zenos yae Galvus and Fandaniel from Final Fantasy XIV Endwalker, and those who know the characters and played the game should know how dangerous those two are, even more so than Maleficent might even realize…especially Fandaniel.
Now I know I am taking some event liberties with Endwalker events and leading up the expansion itself, but this was the best way I had debated on adapting certain characters and events into the story, since some events don't have a clear time frame of when they happen and how long they take.
And they are not the only new villains Maleficent is bringing in to expand her "circle" of allies. Who shall be revealed in the coming chapters.
Anyway thanks for reading, and I thank you in advance for any reviews, follows and favorites because they are always appreciated.