The Force's Shepherds
Chapter 31
Emmeryn
Panne stood vigilant outside of the Thieves Den. The secluded little tavern was located at the base of a steep cliff. Shockingly close to the royal palace actually. The bones of Grima towered over her in the dim light of the dawn. They looked like great stone arches and mountains rather than the skeleton of the greatest threat the world had ever seen. The most insidious monster any living being had ever laid eyes upon.
Even Panne shivered at the sheer enormity of the monster. She was grateful the thing was dead. If she ever had to face down a predator of that size, she would not know what to do. At least with human hunters she knew how to evade, even attack them. But with a dragon that was nearly as big as a small mountain, there was likely nothing she could do.
The Taguel shook her head and huffed. This human city had a dreary effect on her. It made her think strange thoughts. Terrible thoughts really. The very aura of the city made fears long buried in her mind bubble to the surface. She was mature enough to push them back down again. Made sure Gaius did not notice the occasional chatter of her teeth or twitch in her ears. But she could sense something truly wrong with this place.
Ylisstol felt like a human city. Or what a human city should be. Bustling markets, lots of humans roaming mostly clean streets. A few petty crimes here and there, but that was in the humans very nature.
Panne snorted to herself. It always boggled her mind how humans could so easily prey on each other just like they preyed on other animals. She loathed that quality in them. To her, at one point in time, humans were the ultimate parasite. An infestation that was only capable of destroying other beings while at the same time efficiently destroying themselves.
Then she met Exalt Emmeryn. And along with her, she met the Shepherds. Ben, Gaius, Marth, and Cordelia too. It was hard for her to believe that she may have found a new warren. A strange one, for sure. Never before had a Taguel really made a Warren with humans before. But that appeared to be happening right before her eyes. Thanks to her own actions. And the actions of a few kind souls that managed to show her that not all humans were parasitic monsters.
Some were still annoying though. She huffed again and folded her arms. Gaius still had not followed her outside. The thief was too busy wallowing. Sure, he came up with a plan of sorts that theoretically could rescue their friends. But… she frowned, Gaius did not seem to be fully invested anymore. He wanted revenge. Especially against Kage. That much was clear to her. But the desire to rescue their friends was not there. That fire had been snuffed out. A fire she actually really enjoyed seeing during the journey to Plegia's Capitol.
It was Gaius' harebrained schemes that had gotten her little warren through Ylisse and into Plegia. His nutty ideas that fooled the Plegian soldiers at the inn. Without him, they would not have gotten this far.
It hurt to see him suddenly grow disinterested. Panne sighed and rested her head back against the stone wall of the hidden tavern.
Could she really blame him? Gaius was a Plegian. He, more than anyone else, knew what the enemy was capable of. What they do with prisoners. She assumed that would only drive him to rescue them sooner. Put a sense of urgency into the thief. Instead, it led him down a path of wallowing and stewing. Sitting in a hidden tavern, a bottle in one hand and a candy bar in the other.
It had been hours since he had come up with the new "rescue plan". Hours since she left the table and went outside. She had told him she was going to go find out when their friends were scheduled for execution. But it was obvious at this point. The guards had been doubled near the palace. And with their recently failed rescue mission, King Gangrel would want to have the Exalt's head as soon as possible. That meant a public execution would be taking place in the morning.
Just a couple hours from now actually.
Panne grimaced and pushed herself away from the wall. They only had a few hours before the moment of truth. Gaius had to roused from whatever was ailing him. She could not conduct their plan alone. She would need his help.
The Taguel turned to reenter the tavern. As she reached for the doorknob she heard feet hitting the sandy roads nearby. Two pairs. Both of them had light footfalls. She sniffed the air. One smelled like- Panne whirled around and bared her teeth at two shadows that appeared along the cliffside.
"Grimleal." She snarled.
There was a dark snicker, "A Taguel? How interesting. I had heard that their senses are much more acute than our own. I'm pleased to see that is true."
"Panne, calm down."
Panne's ears twitched, "M-Marth?"
The two women emerged from the shadows. One was the Grimleal mage from the inn. Her dark bangs hung over her eyes like heavy curtains over a window. There was a sick, almost pleased smirk on her face as she observed the Taguel. Her black magic tome was clutched to her breasts, as if she was hiding behind it. Trying to use the cover of the book so she could observe the Taguel without being seen.
Marth was beside her. The poor girl looked terrible. There were heavy bags under her eyes. A slight limp in her gait. Falchion was strapped loosely to her hip. Hidden beneath heavy Grimleal robes that were a little to big for her. Panne could also see that the girl was struggling to breathe properly. There was no pain registering on her face, but the shuddering rise and fall of her chest betrayed Marth's actual condition.
Panne's eyes flicked up and down the road, "Inside. Before we are spotted."
Marth gave her a firm nod. Tharja just snickered and slinked in after the two Ylisseans.
The inside of the tavern was nearly empty. Most of the illegal rabble had left to conduct their "business" under the cover of nightfall. Gaius was still sitting at his table far away from any crowds. But instead of staring at a bottle, looking depressed, his head was down on the table top. Panne rolled her eyes. He had drank himself to sleep.
"Typical man-spawn." Panne marched towards Gaius, "I will wake him."
Marth stopped her, "Allow me and Tharja."
Panne raised an eyebrow, "Why?"
"The sight of us will sober up your friend rather quickly." Tharja said with a dark snicker before she sauntered towards the sleeping thief.
Marth sighed before following.
Gaius uttered a loud snort as both Tharja and Marth stopped beside his table. Marth glanced over at Tharja. The Grimleal mage waved her hand. Beckoning the swordsman to go ahead and wake him up. Marth nodded, balled up her hand, and pounded her fist onto the table.
"WAKE UP THIEF!"
Gaius bolted upright. A look that was a cross between fearful, irritated, and ill on his face.
"Hey!" He slurred, "Who the hell do you think you-"
He caught sight of Tharja first. Any words the thief had became lodged in his throat. His lips puckered up. Like he had decided to try and eat a whole lemon.
"I'm in deep shit." He muttered.
"More than that buddy." Marth growled, drawing the thief's attention.
"THERE ARE TWO OF THEM HERE!" Gaius cried as he jumped from his seat, eyes darting back and forth between Tharja and Marth, "Whiskers! You were supposed to keep a lookout!"
Gaius gave Panne a pleading look. The Taguel just sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Man-spawn, it is Marth and a new… friend."
"Oh I'm a friend now?" Tharja chuckled.
"Barely." Marth replied.
Gaius' eyes bugged from his skull, "Blue? You're alive?" He stared hard at her for a moment, "You better not be playing games with me, Whiskers. I am very drunk right now. So you better tell me right now… am I seeing things?"
"You have eyes don't you?" Panne sassed, "Of course you're seeing things."
"I KNEW IT!" Gaius cried, "Damn drinking is giving me hallucinations."
Marth sighed, "Not helping Panne."
"I spoke the truth."
Tharja chuckled beside Marth, "Allow me to remedy the situation."
Gaius froze as Tharja zipped up to him and pressed a thumb to his forehead. The Grimleal mage uttered a few, quiet words beneath her breath. Gaius's pupils dilated a moment then shrank. Tharja let out a breath and drew away from the thief.
"He's sober for now."
Marth arched an eyebrow.
"I used a hex to alter the alcohol levels in his blood." Tharja explained, "But he'll be feeling it in a few hours."
"You hexed me!?" Gaius exclaimed, "Oh this day just goes from bad to worse."
"Our friends are going to be executed in just a few hours." Panne deadpanned.
"My point exactly!" Gaius flopped back in his seat, "Let me mourn them in peace."
Marth grit her teeth. Before Gaius could even reach for the bottle on the table, she drew Falchion and cut the table in half. Gaius remained frozen in his seat.
"That was… very unnecessary." Gaius muttered fearfully.
"Ben and the Exalt are not dead." Marth snarled as she grabbed Gaius by the collar, "Cordelia is still alive too. Until I see their bodies for myself, they are alive. Which means it is our duty to rescue them. They would do the same for us!" She tossed Gaius back, "So get up off of your ass, and help already."
"If he won't help, I can always hex him back into a drunken stupor." Tharja suggested.
"No, no." Gaius sighed, waving off that idea, "No more hexing. Please. I'm already uncomfortable with the fact that one is on me." He sat back down and exhaled, "Blue, Whiskers, I really want you two to be right. But I know how Plegian justice works. I've… narrowly avoided it several times. The chances we actually have of rescuing Ben and the Exalt are next to zero. It is-"
"Is there a chance?" Marth asked.
Gaius swallowed hard as she burned holes into him with her gaze, "Well there's always a chance-"
"Then it is not impossible." Marth continued, "Grab your sword, Gaius. We have friends to save."
She turned on her heal and marched back towards the door. She tossed the first layer of heavy, Grimleal robes as she went. Panne smiled a little before following the fiery bluenette. She was growing to like her more and more by the day.
"So I am a friend." Tharja pointed out before following too.
Gaius opened his mouth to protest. But he could not find the words too. The thief let out a long groan. He ran a hand over his face.
"So this is how I'm going to go out." He muttered to himself, "Not as a retired rich man after a lifetime of thieving. Not even as a thief caught red handed. Nope, I'm going out as the good guy trying to rescue friends I barely know, alongside a rabbit, and two terrifying women." He shook his head, stood, and moved to the door, "When did I get so damn sentimental?"
….
Cordelia first felt herself stir when the door to the old woman's hut quietly opened then shut. She paid it no mind. Right now, she was in bliss. The night had embraced her weary form and she was going to enjoy every second she had. Her eyes stayed closed. The thick blanket over her broken body did not budge.
She stirred again when she heard a pair of hushed voices. The first she recognized as her rescuer. The former Grimleal mage who had found her in a nearby alley and offered her sanctuary. Gave her some strange medicine and allowed her to finally rest. The second voice she did not recognize.
It sounded feminine. But it was too deep to be a woman's voice. And too stern to be any normal person. Certainly too eloquent to be a resident of the Capitol slums. His accent was Ylissean. She could tell that much about this newcomer.
But the strangeness of this stranger was not enough to wake her. She was still too tired. Her body still in too much pain to move at all. Even after she drank the concoction the old woman made, Cordelia still felt like she was in constant pain. It hurt to breath. She could still feel the broken ribs in her body shifting with each inhale and exhale. Every limb was so stiff. They all felt like stone. Her head was heavy. Her skull was pounding. Sleep was the only thing that did not hurt. So that is what she did.
A warm feeling rushed over her body. Like a perfectly hot bath soaking into her bruised skin. It felt heavenly. And of all things, that feeling of serenity woke the red head.
Her eyes fluttered open. Sitting beside her, a large, glowing staff in hand was a… man? Woman? A blonde person. His eyes were closed as he focused magic into his staff and poured healing energy into Cordelia's body.
The wounded Pegasus Knight tried to push herself upright, but a wrinkled old hand kept her from moving.
"Let the young woman work." She said as she blindly held her shoulder.
The blonde healer cleared his throat, "I'm a man."
The blind, old woman cackled, "Sure you are dearest. Let me know when my friend is ready to eat."
The old woman shuffled away towards her little stove. Cordelia could see a copper pot sitting over a small fire. A stew of some sort was bubbling inside of it. The sweet aroma hit Cordelia's nose and caused her mouth to water.
"You are hungry." The healer noted, "That is good progress."
Cordelia eyed the blonde carefully, "Who are you?"
The blonde healer gave her a confused look.
"You aren't Plegian." Cordelia continued, "I can already tell. You're wearing the priest robes. The Grimleal don't wear those."
The blonde nodded, "You are correct. I am not Plegian." The glow on his staff faded a little. The healer rummaged through a small pack on his hip and withdrew a vial with blue liquid in it. A type of healing potion Cordelia recognized. Miriel used them often on Vaike, "My name is Libra. I am a priest of Naga."
Cordelia reached out and took the potion from his hand, "Priestess you mean?"
Libra gave her an amused smile, "I really am a man."
Cordelia felt an embarrassed expression rush over her face.
"Don't worry. I am used to it." Libra said before focusing on his healing staff again.
Cordelia gave him a slight nod. She remained silent. Doing her best not to embarrass herself any further. Instead of speaking, she decided to silently observe the Priest as he worked.
His robes were dusty. Which showed he had been traveling through the Plegian wastelands for some time. He looked somewhat weary. Which meant that he had just finished traveling when he showed up in the old woman's hut. His healing staff was well worn. The wood was smoother where his hands gripped it. Telling Cordelia that it had seen heavy use. Then there was the ax strapped to his left hip.
"I thought you said you were a priest of Naga."
"I am." Libra replied.
"Last I checked, priests don't carry axes."
Libra sighed, "I didn't. Not until recently. My travels through the Plegian wasteland proved that a weapon was a necessity during these dark times."
Cordelia arched an eyebrow, "Proved?" She unknowingly propped herself up onto her elbows, "What do you mean proved?"
Libra sighed, "I was not alone when I set out for this city. I was with a group of other monks that had heard of the Exalt's peril. We thought traveling to Plegia and delivering the divine word of Naga could somehow help spare the Exalt's life." Libra's lips pressed into a thin line, "None of us bore weapons. When we entered Plegia, bandits proved how foolish we all were."
Cordelia's eyes widened, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"You have nothing to apologize for. Curiosity is not a sin or an offense, Miss Cordelia." Libra replied with a smile, "You are quite fortunate in the end, that I was able to complete my journey. Otherwise, you would not have recovered as swiftly."
"Recovered?" Cordelia replied, "I'm not recovered."
"True." Libra nodded, "Your ribs will take longer to fully heal. But most of the scrapes and bruises I have already handled. Your concussion has been somewhat healed. And your muscles are refreshed thanks to our friend's lovely remedies."
"Thank you dearest." The old woman crowed from her stove, "Is she ready to eat."
"Yes, she is." Libra answered.
Cordelia stared stunned at Libra, "You managed to heal me that easily?"
Libra shrugged, "I only did my duty. And like I said, you are not fully healed. But your condition will have to do for now. ONce you finish eating, we must make all haste towards the Palace."
Cordelia raised an eyebrow. Why would they have to hurry to the Plegian Palace?
It hit her like a runaway carriage. The Palace was where King Gangrel held public executions. If Libra was saying they had to hurry, then that meant the Exalt was about to be executed.
Which meant Ben and the others had failed.
Her fists clenched the edges of the blanket. She fought back some tears. How many more of her friends would have to die while she managed to escape? She sniffled.
"There's no time to eat then." Cordelia said as she tried to get up, "We need to get moving."
"There is time to eat. You need your strength." Libra ordered as the old woman handed Cordelia a steaming bowl of stew, "You'll move faster and fight stronger with a full stomach. Now eat."
Cordelia sighed. She reluctantly began to eat her stew. It was delicious. Even if it was mostly broth and peppers and barely had any meat in it. The more bites she took. The stronger she felt. Soon, she had finished her meal and set her bowl to the side. She looked up at the woman. Her strength renewed and her body ready for a fight.
"Where's my armor?"
….
Robin struggled to catch his breath. Not because he was tired, though he was. No, he felt breathless because the time had finally arrived. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Chrom and Flavia. Behind them, a strike force of nearly two hundred Feroxi soldiers and the other Shepherds. In front of them, their destination, the Plegian Capitol.
Robin felt his mouth go dry as he saw the bones of a massive dragon dominating the city skyline. They rose higher than a set of steep cliffs near the royal palace. Great, cracked, yellow bones that cast long shadows over the desert as the sun began to peek over the horizon.
His hand drifted to the spellbook inside of his coat. His fingers brushed against the worn leather spine. A comforting feeling that he desperately needed right now. Robin was not a stranger when it came to combat. Not anymore. But this would be the largest battle he had ever taken part in. And the stakes were the highest he had ever seen.
Robin glanced over at Chrom. The Prince's eyes were fixated on the Plegian royal palace. An unwavering, unblinking gaze. Determined to see the mission through. Determined to rescue his sister, the Exalt. He would succeed, or die trying. Chrom had made up his mind on this. And it was up to Robin to make sure that both he and Exalt Emmeryn escaped with their lives.
"You ready?" Flavia asked both Chrom and Robin.
Her own eyes stared an unblinking stare at the Palace. But her gaze was not filled with worry or resolute determination like Chrom's. Her gaze almost looked hungry. Excited for the thrill of battle. Her hand danced along the pommel of the sword at her hip. Eager to draw the weapon from it's sheath.
Chrom gave her a stiff nod. Robin took a deep breath.
"Yeah." He replied.
"Run the plan by me one more time." Chrom said.
Robin pursed his lips, "Simple. We need to infiltrate the city as quickly as possible. In order to do so, we cannot engage in any pitched battles right away. We need to breach the walls and sweep into the palace with all haste. That is our sole, current objective. In order to do so, we are going to rush the gate nearest to the palace," Robin's finger pointed to a lightly guarded wooden gate that sat near the Palace district of the city, "From there, the Shepherds will move into the palace. Half of us will storm upwards. Clearing each room as we go. That group will be led by me. Chrom, you will take the other half and clear the lower floors and dungeons. Once we have successfully extracted Exalt Emmeryn and the others, we retreated back out the way we came and move into the desert where they hopefully cannot follow us. Not right away at least."
"I like it." Flavia grinned, "Simple and to the point. No need for fancy theatrics. This will be easy."
"Even the simplest plans are never easy." Robin cautioned. He looked at the gate they were planning to attack, "I do not like how lightly guarded the gate is."
"Don't get jumpy over good fortune." Flavia replied before turning to her Feroxi Captains, "No war cries. No horns. Swift and silent until we engage the enemy."
Her captain's nodded then dispersed to their men. Chrom drew Falchion.
"Let's move."
As they rushed over the sandy plain towards the city, Robin was stunned that they were not spotted. But he had come to suspect it. His hunch about Kage being a traitor sat in the back of his mind. But if he really was a traitor, then Gangrel would know about their attack. The King would have bolstered his defenses.
Any sane king would have bolstered their defenses.
Robin exhaled and shook his head. He needed to remain focused. He could not get caught up in any analysis right now. The Shepherds needed him to conduct the battle. Chrom needed him for tactical advice. Emmeryn and the others that had gone to rescue her needed his strategy to succeed.
The soldiers hit the sandstone walls. Flavia raised her hand to silence her soldiers. Chrom and Robin led the group as they tiptoed through the sand towards the palace gate. Soon, they were within a few feet of the barred gate. Robin glanced up at the walls. If they had been spotted, then the sentries had not sounded any alarm. So either they were extremely lucky, blessed, or screwed. He hoped for the former two.
But in his gut, Robin expected the latter.
Just before Robin could give the signal to begin the assault, Flavia tugged on his coat. She pointed up, past both Robin and Chrom's heads. The two Ylisseans followed her finger.
Robin felt his heart jump to his throat. Chrom grit his teeth and clenched Falchion tight in his hands.
High above the city, on the highest cliff that rested in the shadow of Grima's skull, stood Emmeryn. The Exalt was still in her robes. They looked freshly cleaned. In fact, she looked surprisingly well from this distance. Behind her stood a Plegian soldier with an ax. His presence forced Emmeryn to edge closer and closer to the cliff's edge.
Just behind her, standing tall like Emmeryn, was Ben. Robin felt a pit form in his stomach. Unlike Exalt Emmeryn, Ben did not look very good. He looked bloodied and bruised. One eye had a ring of black bruising around it. His clothes looked tattered. His apperance alone told Robin that Ben's plan had failed.
So what happened to Marth and the others?
"Our goal became a lot easier to find." Flavia said.
Chrom could not contain himself anymore. He raised Falchion over his head.
"CHARGE!" He bellowed.
Robin took a deep breath. All around him, Feroxi soldiers uttered loud war cries. Some high pitched screams, others vengeful roars that caused the tactician's hair to stand on end.
His mind thought quickly as the infantry rushed towards the closed gate. They did not have a battering ram. If the gate did not open or come down quickly then they would not be able to save the Exalt. Robin spun on his heel as soldiers surged by him.
"Miriel, Ricken! Help me out!"
The two other mages in the Shepherd's ranks caught on to what he was thinking. Ricken opened his small spellbook and charged his most powerful wind spell. Miriel conjured a powerful fire spell. And Robin willed his most potent lightning into his hand. The three spells cracked past the charging army and slammed into the wooden gate.
Splinters and nails flew through the air like deadly shrapnel. Above the gate, the Plegian sentries uttered alarmed cries as the gate was blasted away.
Robin exhaled loudly as he felt some of his energy get sapped away. He did not want to expend so much power so early in the battle. But he had no choice. Gangrel was hellbent on executing Exalt Emmeryn sooner rather than later.
The Feroxi archers made quick work of the Plegian sentries. The street was clear for the company to move through. Robin felt his heart pounding in his chest as he raced after Chrom and Flavia. The tactician glanced up at Emmeryn once again.
She was closer to the edge.
A powerful, shrill voice boomed out over the city.
"Welcome! Welcome indeed, tyrant Prince Chrom and his little Puppet, Khan Flavia!" King Gangrel sneered from his perch near Exalt Emmeryn.
The Mad King was lounging on a plush throne near the cliff's edge. The best seat for an insane leader to witness a battle taking place inside of his own city. To his right was Aversa. The sinister looking Grimleal Sorceress that served as one of the King's advisers. To Gangrel's left was the other adviser that sent a chill down Robin's spine.
Maul stood vigilante beside the King. Yellow eyes blazing as he watched the Feroxi and Shepherds rush towards the palace.
"You remind me so much of your vile father, Prince Chrom!" Gangrel continued as he rested his head in one hand, "He also felt like he could go wherever he wanted without permission." His dark eyes glanced over at Emmeryn, "Butting in where you are not wanted seems to be a familial trait."
Robin skidded in the sandy road as the army banked hard down another road. In front of them, wide open with no resistance in sight, was the royal palace. The gates to the building were thrown open. In the courtyard was just empty sand. No soldiers waiting to defend their city. No citizens fleeing the invading army. Just emptiness.
A bad feeling hit Robin's gut. Like a sudden wave of nausea. Even with the Plegian army still returning from Ylisse, there should have been some soldiers ready to fight an invading force. Hell, even a force of city guards should have greeted him, Chrom, and Flavia. Instead there was nothing but empty streets, quiet houses, and silent markets.
"I wish I could chat with you more." Gangrel spoke, "But, I have a feeling you won't be in the mood for talking to me." He flicked his hand, "Send that vile spawn of Naga to her maker."
Robin's eyes widened as the Plegian Guard began to push Emmeryn towards the cliff edge. And to Robin's surprise, the Exalt was resisting him. He did not take the Exalt for a fighter. But she scratched and clawed as the Plegian grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her towards the edge.
Robin swallowed hard as he saw Ben struggling against his own captors. He had three guards holding him back. And Robin could see Maul's gaze on his friend. The monster was wary of Ben. If Ben did anything to try and save Emmeryn then Maul would intervene. And there would be no hope of saving either of them.
Robin then saw a third robed figure step up beside Maul. And every horrifying scenario that had been playing through Robin's mind during the march here came true.
Kage stood beside Maul, clothed in black robes and a black hood. The tactician could just barely make out whips of blonde hair beneath the hood's shadow.
"That damn traitor!" Virion cried as he knocked an arrow.
Robin's mind raced, "Virion! Emmeryn! Not Kage!"
Virion pivoted and let his arrow fly. The arrow soared for an ungodly amount of time. Seconds felt like minutes as it cut through the air. When it finally pierced the Plegian's chest, Robin felt a small surge of relief flood him. The Plegian guard uttered an alarmed cry before tripping and falling to his death in the Palace courtyard.
Robin scanned the area. He did not spot any soldiers. Or archers for that matter. The only threats he could see were Aversa, Kage, and Maul. Perhaps, if someone flew up to Emmeryn fast enough, they would be able to save her. At that point, Ben could move freely. Use whatever strange magic he was capable of and attempt his own escape without having to worry about Emmeryn.
"Sumia!" Robin barked, "Get to the Exalt, now! We are out of time!"
Chrom whipped his head around to Robin. There was mixed expression his face. One filled with worry and sudden fear. Robin cringed a little. Not only was Emmeryn now in direct danger, but another person Chrom cared deeply about was going to staring death in the face.
Before the Prince could object, Sumia spurred her Pegasus into the air. The angelic wings beat against the air, stirring up sand as she rocketed higher and higher into the sky.
As they entered the palace courtyard, Robin expected to hear Gangrel's uttering furious, rage filled cries. Or perhaps even fearful wails. What he was not expecting was glee filled laughter. It rang out over the empty city with an unsettling echo.
Robin looked back up at Gangrel. He was undisturbed in his seat. Maul and Kage both moved towards Ben and Emmeryn. Ready to combat Sumia as she rushed towards a waiting Emmeryn. And Aversa was-
There was a black box in her hand. Laced with gold that did not shine. An evil gleam was in her eyes as her fingers pried the box open.
A long mournful wail erupted from the black box. The Feroxi froze in place. Frederick, Sully, and Stahl sat uneasily on their horses. Chrom kept moving towards the palace. Not noticing the mournful cry that rang through the air.
Robin felt a chill go through the air. The hot desert air was replaced by frozen wind that made him shiver. The shadows cast by Grima's bones deepened. The sand began to shift beneath his feet.
Fear erupted in Robin as a black hand erupted from the ground and grabbed him by his ankle. Robin uttered a loud cry, drew his sword, and hacked the hand away at the wrist.
A low moan came from the ground. Frederick's voice rose over the uneasy silence.
"RISEN!"
….
Marth felt the cold hit her. Not on her skin, or even in her bones. No, the cold hit her mind. Like an oppressive wave of darkness. Unyielding in its sudden and explosive fury. She gasped and leaned against the wall of a small hut.
Tharja also ground to a halt. She did appear as alarmed by the sudden darkness and cold in the air. But the Grimleal mage noticed it. Her eyes narrowed and she gripped her spell book tight in her slender hands.
"Hey Blue, Sunshine," Gaius called back to them as he stopped beside Panne, "What are you two doing? We've got friends to rescue."
Fear filled Marth. A fear she had grown used to in her short life. But a fear she had not felt in a few months now. She had almost forgotten that they were still here. That they had followed her somehow. She gave Tharja a terrified stare.
"Risen." Marth whispered.
Tharja looked puzzled. Before the mage could ask what a Risen was, Marth's eyes widened. Rising from the sand behind Tharja, was a black figure with a mask as dark as midnight. Marth surged past Tharja, pushing the mage out of the way as she moved.
Falchion sang as it cut through the air. Before the Risen could even raise it's weapon in defense, it's head was cut from it's shoulders. There was a low groan on the wind. The monster dissipated into a cloud of black ash.
Tharja stared wide eyed at the small pit in the sand. Her gaze turned to Marth. The blue haired swordsman had pushed all her fear to the side. She looked determined. Like she was about to do battle against an old foe.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?" Gaius cried, "Am I still drunk, Whiskers?"
Panne was at a loss for words. Marth clenched her jaw and marched past Gaius.
"Blue, care to explain-"
"Undead Grima monsters." Marth said sharply, "Now are you going to keep babbling, or are you going to fight?"
Gaius peaked past Marth and saw more of those unnatural monsters rising from the sand in the city streets.
"I don't have much of a choice now do I?" Gaius replied as he drew his shortsword.
Tharja pooled magic into her hand, "I wonder how black magic will interact with the spawn of Lord Grima?" She snickered, "There is only one way to find out."
Gaius glanced at her, "Did anyone ever tell you how creepy you are?"
A group of Risen spotted them. Their glowing red eyes burned with an unnatural hatred. All of it was directed at the four living creatures in front of the. Gaius gulped.
"Undead Grima monsters huh?" Gaius exhaled, "When can I go back to stealing from the rich?"
"When you survive this fight, be my guest." Marth snapped.
She charged. No Risen was going to stand in the way of her rescuing her friends. They had done so once already. She would never allow it to happen again. Not when she was so close to the palace.
….
Cordelia and Libra stopped in their tracks. The redhead had noticed the strange lack of both guards and people in the streets today. When she had been running from the Plegian palace guards, there had been large crowds of people in the streets. So many people in fact that it was just as difficult running through the streets as it was fighting the enemy head on.
But today, the streets were empty. The markets were closed. There was a hollowness to the Capitol. She had ignored it at first. Maybe today was a holiday of some sort.
Then she saw the Exalt being marched to the edge of a cliff. The distant din of battle near the palace hit her ears. Then what she could only describe as an unholy darkness surged over the city.
As the chill and shadow grew, Cordelia swore Grima's bones began to shift ever so slightly in the sky above her.
"What unholy spell is this?" Libra muttered as he drew his ax.
Cordelia swallowed hard. She did not know what spell it was. She did not even know mages were powerful enough to cause such a drastic change in the environment around them. Before she could reply to Libra, three corpses rose from the sand in front of them.
They groaned and moaned. As if every movement brought them eternal pain. Red eyes glowed like bright rubies inside of hollow skulls. Black masks marred their faces. And they exuded an unsettling hatred and rage that made Cordelia take a few steps back.
"What in Naga's name-"
Libra rushed forward. His ax flashed in the air three times. And in three, devastating strikes, the three monsters flopped to the ground.
That should have been the end of it. But it wasn't. Terror gripped Cordelia's heart as the monsters groaned and picked themselves up off the ground. All of them unaffected by the devastating blows delivered by Libra.
The priest took a few steps back.
"I should have known it wouldn't be that easy." Libra muttered, "Naga give us strength. Help us slay these fell beasts."
Cordelia swallowed hard and drew her sword as more Risen emerged from the ground nearby.
"We need to move. We're sitting ducks." Cordelia said.
What she would give to be back on her Pegasus right now.
"I couldn't agree more." Libra replied before grabbing Cordelia by the wrist and ducking into a winding alley, "There are too many for us to take on alone. We must unite with Lord Chrom and the rest of his army. We stand a chance of survival with them."
Cordelia blinked. Chrom was here? With an army? That would explain the distant din of battle coming from the palace. A well of hope erupted in her. If Chrom and the other Shepherds were here, then that meant there was a chance to rescue the Exalt and their friends. She knew Chrom. Ever since they were children, he never let anyone stand in the way of him accomplishing his goals. Especially when they were noble goals. It was what Cordelia admired the most about him.
With that thought in mind, Cordelia felt a small smile form on her lips. They were going to win. She just knew it.
….
Kage nearly dropped to his knees as the Force roared around him. It drowned out every other sound. Hit his ears like a sledgehammer of sound. A constant drumbeat in his mind mixed with the roar of a fell beast. One that made his hair stand on end.
His yellow eyes glanced over at the bones of Grima. Then they fell on Aversa.
The Grimleal sorceress had always made him a uneasy. She had a strange presence to her. The dark side of the force was strong in her. But she did not rule it as a Sith would. Instead, it felt like she tried to make the dark side of the force a part of her very being. Something that sustained her very existence.
Her skin even showed evidence of this. It was pale, almost gray in color. Certainly not a shade common among the Plegian people. Her eyes were always hidden in heavy shadows. Yet they gleamed with pure delight as her slender fingers cracked open the black box in her hands.
Whatever magical artifact she was using, it was one of significant power. One that required incredible power to use. Kage knew Aversa was strong. She had to be in order to be Validar's direct pupil. But this was beyond any preconception he had.
Was all this dark side energy coming from her? No… that was not it. He stretched out in the force. Rode the dark side's waves. Bobbed up and down in the maelstrom until he could sense Aversa clearly through the raging force. She felt the same. Her magic had caused her force signature to flare up a little bit. But she was not straining herself. And she certainly was not channeling, or producing, all of this power.
It was coming from the box.
"Apprentice." Maul hissed.
Kage glanced over at his Master. He followed his gaze. Down below, in the palace courtyard, the ground had begun to open up. Rising from the sand was-
"What madness is this?" Kage whispered.
Maul chuckled beside him, "Our victory, my apprentice."
Kage's eyes widened as he saw an endless flood of Risen rising from the ground to greet the approaching Feroxi and Ylissean enemy.
"This is not victory." Kage muttered, "It is a death knell for all of us."
The gleam in Maul's eyes became furious, "What do you mean, apprentice?"
"You know as well as I do what those monsters are capable of."
"And they are under control." Maul replied.
"How?" Kage asked.
Maul grit his teeth. A wave of the dark side, potent and focused, hit Kage. Pain erupted in his mind.
"Mind your place, apprentice."
Kage grit his teeth, but kept his mouth shut. His attention turned to Kenobi and Exalt Emmeryn. The Jedi was struggling even more against his captors. The three Plegian guards were having difficulties restraining him as he tried to get to Exalt Emmeryn. A lucky arrow had already saved her life. Now the Jedi was trying to guard her and prevent anyone from pushing her off the cliff's edge.
Maul uttered an annoyed grunt. Kage watched as he hobbled over to Ben. Before the Jedi or his guards could do anything, Maul grabbed Kenobi by the back of his head.
"Enough of that, Kenobi." Maul hissed.
Kage heard the hum of a lightsaber. The Jedi uttered a pain filled cry. Exalt Emmeryn's hands flew to her face, covering her mouth in horror. Kage smelled burnt flesh.
He glanced over and saw Maul's lightsaber had pierced Ben's right leg. Severing the tendons in his knees and hamstring. Rendering the leg completely useless. The Jedi slumped to the ground, unable to properly support himself.
Through the furious roar of the dark side, Kage heard King Gangrel's cackling laughter. He could hear the sounds of battle below. He pulled himself away from his master and took a peak down to the courtyard below.
The Feroxi and Shepherds were in a desperate battle down below. More Risen were rising from the crack in that had formed in the earth. And even more were rushing towards the courtyard from various parts of the city.
Unease filled Kage. This whole event was dragging out longer than it should have.
He heard wings beating against the air. Kage looked up and saw Sumia zooming towards Exalt Emmeryn. The young Sith grimaced and reached for his lightsaber.
The King noticed her at that moment too. Gangrel uttered a rage filled cry.
"NO! NO!" Gangrel roared as he jumped from his seat, "I will not allow this!"
"And her rescue will not happen." Maul replied as he moved away from Kenobi towards Emmeryn.
Kage's eyes widened as his Master brushed past him and continued to stalk towards the Exalt.
"No!" Kenobi cried as he tried to get to his feet, "Maul! Don't!"
Kage froze as Maul grabbed Emmeryn by the back of her neck. He turned Emmeryn around so that she was facing the Jedi.
"A familiar scene, isn't it Kenobi?" Maul sneered from behind Emmeryn, "You are once again at my mercy. As is someone you care about. No… someone you genuinely love." He chuckled, "Haven't you learned yet, Kenobi. You shouldn't grow close to anyone. Misfortune comes to all you care for."
"Maul!" Kage turned to see Kenobi had forced himself to his knees, "Maul please! Enough of this! Enough! It is me you want! You want to kill me!? Then kill me! But don't harm her! She has done nothing to you!"
"Exactly." Maul's eyes gleamed with delight as he heard Kenobi beg, "She has done nothing to me. And she has committed the most grievous of wounds to you. She has sparked love in you Kenobi." Maul leaned in to Emmeryn, "Talk to him, dearest. Reassure your love."
Emmeryn was on the verge of Tears. Kage could see her struggling to keep her breathing even and her face calm. She took a deep breath, turned her head to face Maul.
"You will never win." She snarled. In one of the rarest instances of anger Kage had ever seen from the Exalt.
Maul's face twisted in fury.
Kage felt a warning in the Force. For some reason, the Force was screaming at him. Telling him to stop this. To stop Maul. But he found himself frozen in place. Unable to take action against his Master.
"Maul!" Kenobi willed himself to his feet, "Maul please do-"
Maul's lightsaber thundered to life. Kenobi's voice faded in the wind. Kage felt his heart lodge in his throat as the force uttered a pain filled wail. Emmeryn's eyes widened for a split second.
A bar of red light burned through the Exalt's back and out her chest. Maul's lips parted into a wide grin as Kenobi's eyes widened in horror.
The Zabrak chuckled. He grabbed Emmeryn as her life left her body.
Time stood still as she flew through the air. Her robes fluttered with an unnatural grace as she plummeted down the cliff to the ground below.
Kenobi scrambled past Maul and Kage. Ignoring all of the pain in his body. Holding onto hope that he could somehow stop this. Somehow save her.
But when he reached the edge, all hope left the Jedi. He dropped to his knees and hung his head. Beside him, Maul's eyes gleamed with triumph.
Obi Wan Kenobi was destroyed.
End of Part 1 of the battle….