A/N: Alright folks! It's your boy, back again. I gotta' say, starting that Helltaker story was a great idea. Gives me something else to write and alternate between stories. Keeps things fresh. I hope you guys enjoy this, I'm trying a change in POV from Thom's perspective to third person, might make it a bit easier to write.
A bit of a shorter one, again. I usually try to keep it 3,000 words or more with every chapter but I find it much easier to keep it small. Easier to proofread, easier to keep track of what I write, and all that.
Did something a little risky with this one, but I hope you guys enjoy it. Not all too much happens but... well, you'll see.
…...
It's 6 a.m. by the time the sun finally peeks over the horizon, illuminating the barren icefields. Dressed in their warmest attire and packed with a few days' worth of supplies, their horses trudge through the shin-deep snow. "Makin' good progress! At this rate, we might end up towards the end of the icefield by nightfall!" Thom shouts back to Virion, pulling his scarf away from his face. He shivers, having let the ice-cold wind in for even a moment and suffering for it. Unsurprisingly, the wind sweeping across the wide open plain of ice and snow blows heavy gusts of snow, limiting the visibility. He hears Virion shout something back, but past the wind, he can't hear. He pulls at the horse's reins, coming to stop. 'Them horseback lessons with Frederick are finally provin' their worth.'
After a few seconds Virion catches up, and they pull their scarfs away from their faces. "Apologies, I could not hear past the wind!" Virion shouts.
"I said we're makin' progress! At this rate I reckon the Shepherds ain't even broke camp yet! We might make it across the icefield by the time night falls!" Thom shouts back. "Let's keep moving! I wanna' keep a good lead on the others! We're supposed to reach Ylisstol a day ahead of 'em!"
"Lead the way!" Virion replies. They cover back up, urges their horses to keep moving forward.
This continues for most of the day, without much to worry about. They stop a bit every now and then, checking the map and feed themselves as well as their mounts. Around 7 p.m. the wind dies down. With the sun up, visibility improves greatly, despite the menacing dark cloud above. Off in the distance, they see tall trees stretching across the horizon.
"You know, I have to wonder why exactly Robin sent us ahead." Thom mentions, sinking his teeth into an apple. "I mean, obviously as scouts, but she also said to clear debris. Only debris I seen so far is snow, snow and snow." He mentions offhandedly. "Wish I'd snagged some alcohol! Actually, no- bad idea. It's hard to remember to keep my hands off of liquor." He trails off, dejected.
"I must say, I'm rather surprised you've sworn off spirits. But I applaud you, all the same. It takes a strong man to deny drink." Virion praises.
"Pfft. S'nothin'." Thom scoffs. "I mean, thanks. But alcoholism runs in my family. I ain't quitting-quitting, but I need a break. That, and alcohol in this weather? That's just askin' to die from exposure." Thom mentions.
"Where did you hear that?" Virion inquires. "I was under the assumption alcohol warmed the body up?"
"No, no- just makes ya' feel warm. Alcohol thins the blood. Makes it harder for the body to heat itself. Not to mention ya'd probably fail to notice yourself freezin' to death, depending on how drunk ya' are."
"Hmm. I must say, I am surprised you are so knowledgeable about such things." Virion admits. Thom shrugs.
"Eh, made the mistake plenty of times. Seen others make the mistake even more. Hell, it's how my pops died." He says.
"I am sorry to hear that, my friend. You have my condolences." Virion apologizes, eyes downcast.
"Thanks. I'm not too sad, though. I loved my old man, but he could be a bastard when he was too... sauced up." He explains. "'Sides, I done made my peace wit' it. Can't cry over it forever, right?"
"I suppose you are right." Virion sighs.
"Damn right. I'm always right." Thom smirks. It fades from his face, rather quickly.
"Are you sure that you are okay?" Virion asks, hesitantly.
"Yeah, just... you're lucky, y'know? After all that's happened, when all's said and done, you can still go home. Lucky you." Thom mutters, bitterly. "Sorry. I don't hold it against ya'. It's just, all the good times I had, all the people I loved are gone forever. But it's worse than if they had all just died. Instead, I'm dead and they all have to live with it. Dunno what's more depressing. That I left people mourning, or that I only had a few people left to mourn me." He goes silent, withering under Virions gaze. He's speechless. "Sorry. 'M just ranting at this point. Let's get a move on." He demands, brooking no room for further discussion.
…...
The crackles and pops of the fire are the only sounds that fill the night air. Narrowly missing the incoming snow, Virion and Thom are able to sleep under the bright winter moon. Unfettered by clouds, it glows brightly, illuminating the barren white landscape.
Despite the good visibility, it is still the middle of the night. And their surroundings demand their full attention.
Or Thom's, at least. Virion decided to take second and last watch, leaving Thom with first and third. 'No rest of the wicked.' He hums internally, sliding more tinder into the fire. 'Heh, tinder. That's one thing I won't miss.' He stands, poking at the fire with a stick before throwing that in, too. He scans their surroundings, and after a minute discovers nothing.
'Guess there's a lot of shit I won't miss though, right? Taxes, paying for gas, paying for car repairs, paying for water heater repairs...' His thoughts trail off. 'Paying for repairs in general, I guess. And the people were pretty bad, too.' His thoughts turn to Kimball and Wheatley, and his brother. His shoulders fall.
'Well, not all of them.'
A howl rings out, resonating through the cold air. Looking around, it takes Thom a few moments to pinpoint where the sound comes from. He peers across the field, and sees a group of wolves. Each one intimidating in how large they appear as they tear across the snowy field. They (thankfully) don't come too close, disappearing off towards the direction of Ylisse.
He watches in awe as the magnificent beasts slowly turn into a smudge on the horizon. 'I guess there's some shit for me to see here that I wouldn't have back home.' He thinks. These thoughts are cut off my a loud, ear-rending roar behind him. Virion awakes with a start, quickly rolling out of his bedroll and grabbing his bow and quiver.
"WOH!" Thom sputters out foolishly, drawing his iron and firing it at the hip, striking the risen in the chest and stunning it. He raises it and plants another round in it's skull. "Come on, I JUST looked over there! They came out of fucking nowhere!" He shouts, now seeing the 7-odd more risen that are left.
"Out of nowhere, you say?" Virions asks skeptically.
"What, you think I let them wander over just to say hello?! They fell out of the sky when we saw them the first time!" Thom growls, blasting off his five other rounds into the crowd. They land true, knocking three of them down. Two fly wide but still manage to find purchase in the flesh of the risen.
Nocking an arrow, Virion manages to send an arrow sailing through the cranium of a risen as Thom lurches forward, dagger in hand. He thrusts, and thrusts into the head of his target, sending it to the floor. In retaliation a Risen tackles him, pinning him to the ground. He thrusts his blade into its shoulder, but the corpse leans into it, making it impossible to draw it from its flesh.
The remaining Risen rushes toward Virion, poised to strike him with its withered, dull axe. Seconds turn to minutes, as Thom watches on.
Until a flash of lightning fries the axe-wielding risen, turning its rotten flesh a charred black. 'What the fuck?!' The smell of ozone permeates the vicinity as a spear runs into the neck of the Risen on top of Thom. It's vile, cold blood pouring over Thom's face, making him gag. He shoves the body off of him, rolling over and tearing the dagger free.
He points it at the figure, draped in a similar coat to Thom's, thunder tome in hand, spear in another.
"Reveal yourself at once." Virion demands, levelling his bow at the figure.
"What he said." Thom agrees plainly, reaching for his remaining revolver.
"Wait! I'm friendly!" They shout, panicked as they drop their arms and raise their hands.
The figure draws their hood back, revealing a young man, with fiery red hair and steely, sharp grey eyes. Reluctantly, Virion and Thom put down their weapons. "Virion, let's start to break camp. I've gotta' talk with our guest for a moment."
"Now? But it's still late in the night?" Virion asks.
"We don't know how many more Risen are around and all that sound might draw more. We need to relocate. Get started and I'll be back in a second." Thom says, grabbing the young man by the arm, dragging them away, just out of earshot.
"...What's your name?" Thom demands.
"D-dad? It's me, Pollux." They stutter.
"What? I... who's your- kid, whaddya' mean dad? Who exactly is your ma'?" Thom asks, panicked as he grabs the young man by his arms.
"Dad... what year is this?" Pollux asks, then it dawns on Thom. This kid is obviously a time-traveler. There isn't any other way to describe it. Unless this kid's insane or something.
Hell, maybe it's Thom who's insane.
"Look kid first off, you're from the future, right? You gotta' be. Had to have come with the others, right?"
"Y-yeah, dad. You told us you'd know about our situation. Be able to help." They explain. Thom just leans his head back, pinching his nose and sighing.
"Mhmm. 'Course I did." He looks the young man in the eyes. They look just like his. "The Shepherds have just won the Championship for Flavia. They're a day behind me and Virion. We're returning to Ylisse. Now answer my questions, boy. Who is your mom, and why are you interacting with us? I assume Lucina told you all not to interfere with us for a while?" Thom interrogates.
"I-I don't know, dad. You never told me. You always took care of me. Ever since I was little." Pollux explains. Thom's heart softens at that. "You said she left me with you, never wanted anything to do with us. But you said she wasn't a bad woman, either. She died defending Ferox." He finishes. They share a silence, as they stare into each other's gaze. Then Thom lets his eyes wander over the young adult. His eyes linger over the hair, and yet another realization hits him like a freight train.
Castor. Motherfucking Castor, the fucking Feroxi Cleric.
"Kid, I think I know who your mom is, now." Thom says, calmly. Internally however, is another story.
'I don't wrap it ONCE and THIS happens? I can't catch a fucking break, man."
"You still have to answer my other question." Thom reminds.
"Oh. Yeah, Lucina had a plan. But when do I ever listen to miss high-and-mighty?" He jests, proudly.
Thom busts out laughing. "Yeah, you're definitely mine, ya' little bastard." Thom bellows, wiping a tear from his face. "Ah, man. I'm NOT ready to be a dad. But I'll give it a good try, kid. Look, for now on though, we need to act like we don't know each other." He explains.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. I already got a cover story." Pollux waves.
"That quick? Damn kid, let's hear it."
"I was out here hunting for wolf furs, saw you being attacked. I mistook you for my dad, who I haven't seen in years. Simple misunderstanding." Pollux elaborates, pulling a revolver from under his coat shocking Thom. "Going to have to hide this, though."
Thom grabs Pollux's wrist, staring at it for a moment before releasing his grip. "Well kid, if I needed any proof you were mine..." He trails off. "Yeah, definitely hide that shit. I ever teach you to use that thing?" Thom asks.
"Pff. 'Course." Pollux scoffs.
"Good. Cool... Where's the other one?"
"It's with sis." Pollux shrugs.
"I have two?!" Thom shouts, dropping to his knees and throwing his head back. "Please don't tell me you have the same mother?! Wait! I don't wanna' know!" Thom wails.
"D-Dad! Calm down! What's wrong?!" Pollux panics, holding out his arms placatingly.
"I can barely feed myself, how the hell am I going to take care of two kids?!" Thom panics.
"Dad, you weren't alone, you know? We still had a ma'." Pollux mentions.
Thom's brain short-circuits. Then reboots.
"Well. At least I don't go through it alone." Thom amends, standing back up. Don't tell me who your ma is though. Knowing me I'll screw it up by trying too hard." He jokes. "Come on, let's go help Virion. You can come back to Ylisstol with us." He says, patting Pollux on the back.
"You know, it's weird seeing you panic like that. In the future you always... I dunno. Always had stuff under control." Pollux shrugs.
"Well. I'm shit-scared of the impending character development, but whatever. Do me a favor, though. Don't tell me any more stuff, mm? Better to let shit happen as it should. We're gonna let stuff happen as it should." He smiles. They share a grin. "You know, brat... you look just like your grandpa." Pollux looks away, abashed.
"Ah, Thom!" Virion greets them. "Camp is almost packed, my friend." He turns his attention to Pollux. "And my thanks for saving us, sir. We owe you a great deal, it seems."
"Thanks, Virion. This here's Pollux." Thom introduces each other, moving to roll up his bedroll. He rubs some snow in his hands, melting it before rubbing it on his face in a bid to clean his face of the rapidly-drying blood.
"Well met." Virion greets. Thomas heaves his pack onto his horse, making sure to leave space for Pollux.
"Kid's uh... it's hard to explain, but they're in a bad situation, so they're coming with us. I'm sure Chrom will want to reward them for saving our asses anyway." Thom explains, climbing onto his mount and holding his hand out. Pollux takes it, and Thom pulls him up, throwing him up behind him.
"Wait, Chrom? As in Prince Chrom?" Pollux feigns ignorance. Improv, huh? Okay, kid.
"The very same, kiddo. You just saved two Shepherds from being butchered. I'm sure there's a reward for you in Ylisstol." Thom grins.
"Well, when you put it that way, old man... shall we?" Castor suggests.
"Mhm. Let's move. We aren't too far from the woods, if we move now we should be able to catch some shuteye for a few hours." Thom nods.
"...Wait, I'm not that old, ya' little shit!" He seethes at Pollux. His words have no real bite. Pollux dies laughing. Virion watches, amused.
Man, life definitely works in mysterious ways. That's for sure. Now, Thom wasn't necessarily mad about that...
But MAN, did he want to fucking sleep.
…...
A/N the second:
Hah! Another AN? At the end of the chapter? Bet you didn't expect that!
Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy this new character. Wanted to do something a little different than just 'MC has a future kid that was already in the game.' Nothing wrong with that, of course but I wanted to put my own little spin on things.
Admittedly I'm having trouble nailing down Virion's dialogue. Motherfucker speaks too fancy.
Anyways, I hope you guys like Pollux, or at least that he grows on you. He's supposed to be an irreverent little shit like his dad, and hopefully I'll be able to show that more later on. Leave a review, drop a PM, whatever. Let me know what you guys think! If people don't like it I can just nuke the chapter and re-write it.
Until next time, friends.