The Force's Shepherds
Chapter 104
Unexpected Allies
Now that Aversa got a good look at the enemy in front of her only route of escape, she had to wonder, why was her luck so terrible. Why did she always get the bad missions, the suicide missions? The missions where no matter how it went, she would end up on the run, wounded, or likely dead. Why did the gods hate her so? She glanced to her right, where the manakete she was sent to retrieve stood frozen in place. Green eyes focused on the repulsive, hunched creature in front of both of them.
And for a Manakete, she is about as useless as they come. She can't even hurt a dark mage with a fire spell. Aversa thought to herself.
The sorcerer in front of them uttered a thin, wheezing chuckle. One that made Aversa scowl, both with anger and annoyance.
"Going somewhere, my little friend?" The sorcerer, Gharnef, said.
An evil gleam danced in his eyes. One Aversa had grown all too familiar with during her time among the Grimleal. She had seen such a sinister sparkle in Validar's eyes many times when he had caught something, or someone, he considered prey.
She heard the Manakete, Tiki, snarl beside her. A low, rumbling growl that made the hairs on her neck stand on end. Tiki's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. Flames flickered in her clenched fists as Gharnef took a slow step towards both women. Her fire flickered from a dull red to blazing white as the cretin drew closer. Her lip curled back, revealing sharp fangs hidden in her mouth.
"Oh, no need to be so hostile, my dear." Gharnef hummed, "I only wish to catch up."
Aversa opened her black tome, ready to fend off the mysterious sorcerer. But Tiki moved first. With speed that boggled the mind, Tiki shot across the platform and slammed another fiery fist across Gharnef's face. The old sorcerer's body jerked to the side, froze, then straightened. A wicked grin flashed over his gray face, revealed sickly yellow teeth that made Aversa's stomach curdle.
"You asked if I was harmed?" Tiki's eyes widened as a ball of black magic formed in Gharnef's outstretched palm. He pointed it right at her stomach, "Do you want my answer?"
Aversa quickly cast her spell. A strong Ruin that shot across the platform like a long, dark shadow. It took Gharnef off of his feet, causing his spell to fire harmlessly to the side of Tiki. The Manakete hopped back from Gharnef as the sorcerer snarled on his back.
"Must you keep trying?" Gharnef growled. He slowly picked himself up from the ground, "How long before both of you realize that your efforts are futile?"
Aversa lowered her hand. It trembled a little at her side. Her magic was one of the most powerful in the Grimleal. How could it not harm this unknown sorcerer? Who exactly was this old man?
"He's right." Tiki said, voice low. The fire in her fists slowly died, "Our only choice is to run."
"But where?" Aversa flicked her eyes over the edge of the platform to the three swordsman dueling below. She could not even tell who was friendly and who was not. But if she had to guess, she would say the person with the green sword was probably the nice one. Of course, nice was relative in this instance, "We don't exactly have anywhere we can go."
"Indeed, you don't." Gharnef smirked, his hunched form, "So you have two options, my friend. Come with me. My new… master… would be most interested in speaking to you, I'm sure." Tiki snarled back, "Or… remain here in your prison. And I can keep an eye on you personally. Just like old times."
Something snapped in the Manakete. A massive rush of power flowed out of her like a geyser. Aversa took a fearful step away as the air rippled with magic energy. Gharnef's eyes widened with delight.
"Oh, did I hit a nerve?"
Static filled the air. A flash of lightning ripped across the platform and crashed into Gharnef. The seemingly invulnerable enemy gasped as the bolt crackled over his robes and wrinkled skin. Aversa snapped her gaze to where the spell came from.
Terror shot through her heart as she caught sight of a black, gold, and purple coat glinting in the light of the pale moon. She knew that coat anywhere.
The Hierophant is here!
Another bolt of lightning shot out from the man's hand. A bolt that sent Gharnef skidding to the side of Aversa's escape route. In the brilliant light of that bolt, Aversa got a glimpse of the man's face. And her fear turned to confusion. His eyes were brown instead of blazing yellow. Hair a dark brown instead of the ghost white Aversa had seen so many months ago.
However, just because his appearance was different, did not mean she would lower her guard. The Hierophant likely viewed her as a failure for not ending Lady Morgana's life sooner. And because she was here, acting on Morgana's orders, instead of attempting to kill the heretic, the Grimleal's leader would view her as a traitor. And traitors died horrible deaths. She knew that personally. After all, she enjoyed carrying out those executions when she was a part of the Grimleal.
Dark fire flickered on her fingertips as Aversa prepared to defend herself. If this man really was the Hierophant, then this Manakete, and Lady Morgana, could all go to hell. Her priority was saving her own skin.
Perhaps he will be focused on the invulnerable old man and his dragon friend instead of me. Aversa thought as her dark eyes watched the newcomer move further onto the platform. Meanwhile, she inched away from the Manakete. With every step, her fingers twitched. Ready to cast a spell in order to creatue distance between herself and the terror in front of her.
The man's brown eyes glanced over at Tiki. He pointed a finger.
"Are you the Manakete?"
Tiki turned her head ever so slightly to look at him.
"Depends." She narrowed her eyes, "Who is asking?"
The man blinked. He seemed uncharacteristically unsure of himself. Very different from the hierophant Aversa knew. Was it possible that this doppelganger was not the monster she knew?
The man sighed, "Yup, you are. You've got the pointy ears, just like Nowi." He took a breath, "Look, I came here because apparently a friend of mine thinks you can help me and-"
"If you are looking for Naga's wisdom, it will have to wait." Tiki returned her attention to Gharnef, "I'm entertaining an old enemy."
The newcomer turned his attention to Gharnef, "I got that impression." The pages in his spellbook became a blur, "Want some help?"
"If you think you can do any damage to him, be my guest, sir-"
"Robin."
Aversa blinked.
Robin… the Robin!? The Ylissean tactician was here? How did she not recognize him immediately? It had been several years now that she thought about it. And with the dangerous sorcerer furiously glaring at her, Tiki, and Robin; her mind was rightfully distracted. She studied his appearance once again as her guard remained up. Then she pictured him beside the terrifying Hierophant.
The resemblance is uncanny.
Aversa took another small step towards the open stairs. She froze as Gharnef started to laugh. A quiet, wheezing sound. As if he was struggling to suck air in through a straw. His heavy eyes looked at Robin.
"What good fortune. Both of my master's targets are now within my grasp." He reached into his heavy robes and withdrew a tome. A kind Aversa had never seen before. Black leather binding covered its pages. A skull rested on its front cover. Cracked, yellowed pages sat in between the leather. The sight of the tome caused Tiki to suck in a sharp breath. Gharnef eyed Tiki, "I'm sure you remember this little spell."
"Watch out!" Tiki cried.
Dark magic pulsed from the pages of Gharnef's tome. Some of it wrapped around him. A shadowy sphere encased him like a protective cocoon. The rest of the spell shot all around him, knocking Aversa, Tiki, and Robin over and sending all of them sliding towards the edge of the platform.
Aversa rolled upright. She swayed precariously along the edge of the platform. A firm hand grabbed her by the arm and tugged her back.
"Even now." Tiki hissed.
"As if." Aversa growled.
Another lightning bolt shot at Gharnef. Robin's palm smoked as he charged another powerful thunder spell. His eyes widened as the first spell bounced harmlessly off of the shell of dark shadows encasing Gharnef.
Tiki grit her teeth, "We cannot win this fight. Sir Robin! We need to flee!"
"You are not going anywhere!" Gharnef bellowed.
Tendrils of black magic rushed out from his body. They slammed into the platform. Splinters exploded out from where they landed. Robin leaped back and covered his face with his sleeve. Several shards of wood tore into his coat. One nicked his cheek. A thin line of blood ran down his jaw. He clenched his teeth. To Aversa's surprise, he slipped his spellbook back into his robes.
"I'm going to create an opening. Both of you take it!" He shouted.
Aversa blinked. He knew she was here? And he did not attack her? But she was an old enemy of Ylisse. Likely wanted. The bounty on her head must be enormous at this point. And yet his first concern was helping her escape this unbeatable opponent.
Strange. Aversa thought.
A chill hit the air. Tiki's breath hitched as she stared wide eyed at Robin.
"Is that-"
Before she could finish her sentence, an invisible force shot out of Robin's palm and into Gharnef. The sorcerer cried out in surprise as he was lifted high into the air then sent plummeting down from the ruined platform.
As soon as Gharnef fell from the platform, Aversa took Tiki by the wrist.
"Time to leave."
The pair raced down the stairs. Aversa heard Robin's footsteps and labored breathing behind them. Whatever that spell he cast was, it took quite a bit of energy from him.
Piercing cold hit the air as they reached the bottom of the stairs. An icy wind brushed by all three of them. A shriek shot through that wind. Aversa paled, Tiki balled up her hands, and Robin gulped.
"I know that sound." Robin breathed.
The ground opened up. Dozens of dark, rotting limbs emerged from the earth's bowels. Robin jerked his gaze towards the main road, where he saw three lightsabers moving in a deadly dance in the darkness. Risen sprouted from the ground, blocking that way of escape.
"Into the forest!" He snapped to both Aversa and Tiki, "We'll lose them there."
Aversa did not feel the need to argue. For the first time in her life, she agreed with her mortal enemy. The trio sprinted towards the dark thickets surrounding the Mila Tree as more Risen emerged from the ground with shrieks and roars. She could hear dozens of them giving chase. Her muscles already felt tired from having to scale the Mila Tree and fight off… whatever the hell that old man was. Aversa's confidence regarding taking on undead monsters and surviving was rather low.
A black arrow zipped past her head. It whistled by her ear and caused her to jerk to the side. Hot blood ran down her earlobe from where the arrow hissed by. Aversa grit her teeth and willed herself to run faster.
A spell slammed into the ground ahead of her. A purple explosion erupted. Aversa skidded to a stop. She felt both Robin and Tiki bump into her back.
Small pellets of dirt rained down on her as the explosion subsided. Aversa gulped. Red eyes surrounded them. There was nowhere to run. A dozen Risen soldiers, wielding all manner of weapons, shambled out of the brush towards them. Their expressionless masks somehow far more terrifying than any snarl an enemy could ever give her.
She sensed a fire spell ignite in Robin's hand. Aversa gulped and gathered dark magic in her right hand while her left cradled her spell book.
"Any ideas?" She hissed.
Power coursed through the air. A brilliant white light filled the space between the three. Aversa glanced over her shoulder at Tiki. The Manakete glowed as white scales rushed over parts of her skin. The Risen surrounding them shrieked. This time, not with anticipation, but with fear.
"BEGONE, FELL SPAWN OF GRIMA!" Tiki cried, her voice morphing between a woman's defiant cry and a dragon's furious roar.
Beams of white light shot from out from her body. Each one slammed into a Risen. And each Risen shivered, screamed, then melted into a pile of black ash on the ground. Aversa's jaw hung open as she watched.
Maybe she is not as useless as I thought. She gulped, No wonder Morgana wants her.
The white light faded as the last Risen was torn to pieces. Tiki's shoulders sagged and she pitched forward. Robin quickly caught her. He ran a hand over her forehead.
"She's out." Robin breathed.
Aversa eyed him, "Good. That'll make it easier for me to take her." Robin frowned as Aversa pointed a hand at him. Black magic built up in her palm, "If you would be so kind as to hand her over. Since you just saved my life, I'll return the favor and not take yours."
She did not miss the scowl on Robin's face, "In case you have forgotten, there is not only Risen, but three Deadlords prowling this area. I think the last thing you and I should be doing is fighting each other." More shrieks filled the night. Robin cast a worried glance back towards the Mila Tree. Aversa's eyes followed his gaze as she also detected a worryingly powerful magic moving towards them.
"I'm guessing the old creep is a deadlord." Aversa whispered.
Robin nodded, "No idea who exactly he is, but the fact that we could not scratch him, worries me." He frowned, "The fall alone should have hurt him. Damn it!" He glared at Aversa, "I say we fight later."
Before she could protest, he slung Tiki in his arms and rushed off into the forest. Aversa grit her teeth.
"Oh no you-" Chills ran up her spine as more shrieks pierced the air. A long growl erupted from her throat. She turned on her heel and sprinted after Robin.
"I'm going to regret this."
Dooku grit his teeth as the pretender brat, Xanatos, swung a vicious chop at his neck. The red blades collided in a shower of sparks. He could feel the heat of the deadlord's blade close to his hand as the blades sizzled together near the hilts. Before he could even sneer at Xanatos, he sensed Luminara charge at him from behind once again. An annoying little combination that was starting to frustrate the Sith Lord. He spun around, executing a quick slash that parried away her attack. He kicked one leg out. Shoving Xanatos a few paces away from him.
Any enjoyment he had in this battle was long gone. Now, this duel became an annoyance. While his two deadlord comrades only fought more viciously by the second, he felt his own strength waning. Whether that was due to Grima sapping his power away, or due to the prolonged nature of this battle, he could not accurately tell at the moment.
Dooku snarled, then went on the attack. His wrist flicked in effortless circles as he jabbed and swiped at Luminara. Forcing the former Jedi to backpedal. Her mastery of Soresu saved her life in this instance. Just as Dooku thought he found an opening, Xanatos closed the gap. He leaped at Dooku, blade raised overhead.
The stupidity of youth often manifests as eagerness. Dooku smirked to himself.
He spun so fast the deadlord only saw a red blur. Then he howled. And Dooku grinned. Xanatos slumped to the ground. Body severed in half. Black mist pooled out of the area severed by Dooku's lightsaber. His lightsaber rested harmlessly near his hand. Dooku quickly kicked the hilt away before returning his attention to Luminara.
"How long do you think it will take before he gives up and just returns to your master?" Dooku wondered out loud.
"Our master." Luminara hissed back.
Dooku frowned, "Seeing you in this state almost breaks my heart, Master Luminara. I always held a great amount of respect for you." He held his blade to the side as the pair slowly circled each other, "You were one of the few Jedi Masters that was not an obvious hypocrite."
The Deadlord across from him, the one wearing the Mirialan's skin, scowled at him.
"I don't know what you are talking about."
He saluted her. An action that made her pause.
"This gesture is not for you, Simia." He snarled out the name like venom. In the glow of his red blade, his eyes flickered to a dangerous burning color. The dark side of the force erupted from his body, stunning the deadlord, "But for the Jedi Master that you have claimed." He flicked his blade back to his side, "I have had enough of this little game."
Simia lunged at him. Dooku easily parried her strike. He hopped over Xanatos's fading body as more of Grima's essence leaked from his broken form. Simia stepped over her fallen comrade and struck again. A heavy handed chop at Dooku's head. One the Sith Lord parried. Simia, drew her blade back for another heavy strike. Dooku smiled as he watched the clumsy attack coming.
He ducked then slashed up. Simia screeched as both of her arms were severed at the elbows. Her green lightsaber hissed off then fell softly into the dirt. In one fluid motion, Dooku swept around her and bashed the pommel of his lightsaber into her back. Simia's scream was cut off as she fell face first to the ground.
"Master Luminara would not have been bested so easily." Dooku hummed to himself.
The orange glow in his eyes faded away. His lightsaber hissed off. Shadows claimed the area as the red glow retreated into the curved hilt. He clipped the blade back to his hip and let out a heavy breath. Weariness suddenly overcame him. His power felt thin, spread out. He ran his hand over his forehead and took in a deep breath.
"Aren't you going to finish me?" Simia sneered as she raised her gaze to meet his. Her red eyes glowed in the night. Filled with both Grima's power, and a hatred unbecoming of the once powerful Jedi Master.
Dooku frowned, "Tempting as it may be, consider this my one gesture of good will towards you." He nodded over at the fading Xanatos. The other deadlord had stopped moving. His flesh slowly deteriorated to black ash on the ground as his own eyes glared hatefully at Dooku, "And before you ask why I did not show him the same courtesy," He returned his attention to Simia, "He tried to kill several friends of mine in the past."
Simia laughed weakly. She shakily pushed herself up onto her knees.
"So Kenobi is a friend now?" Dooku frowned, "The Master will not be pleased to hear that. He honestly thought you were actually acting in his interest."
Dooku arched an eyebrow, "I have no master. So why would I act in the interest of one." He spun on his heel. This thing occupying Luminara's body deserved no more attention. He reached out with the force and attempted to sense Robin's presence.
It felt… strangely faint. As if he was some distance away now. Dooku lips curled into a frustrated snarl.
He better have reached the Manakte. If I found out he just ran away-
Simia cackled behind him, "Wondering where your other friend is? Hm? He's probably long gone by now, if he knows what is good for him. After all, he knows we are after him." Dooku glanced over his shoulder at the deadlord, "And you know, we will never stop hunting him now. Not now that the Master has his sights on him."
Dooku glared at her, "Since you insist on talking," He turned and towered over her, "You are going to explain what exactly Grima has planned for Robin."
Simia scoffed, "And why would I do that? If I did, I'd be considered a traitor. Like you. And Lord Grima does not suffer traitors." She smirked up at him. Revulsion filled Dooku. Master Luminara was always so stoic. Grima really has grown paranoid if he simply gave the deadlords a skin and some abilities, rather than their full minds, "Would you like to know what he plans on doing to you, once you are dragged before him that is?"
Dooku snorted, "Let me guess, he will return my soul to the force." A slight shiver ran up his spine at the thought. But he did not give the deadlord the satisfaction of seeing it, "He will have to be more intimidating than that."
A dry laugh left Simia's lips, "If you think that is remotely intimidating." Dooku furrowed his brow as he felt the force build up around her, "That is nothing compared to what I am about to do to you!"
She surged to her feet. Dooku took a step back in surprise. Just before her body could slam into him, a spear shot through the back of her head. The Deadlord froze in place as the iron tip shuddered in her skull. A soft sound left her mouth, then she crumbled into a pile of ash.
Dooku glowered down at the ash, "Rather unimpressive."
He glanced up at the deadlord's killer. Mild surprise filled him when he saw Cervantes plant the butt of the spear into the dirt before leaning up against the shaft. The spear bent a little as his large weight rested on it. The General snorted, spat into the dirt, then sniffed.
"Got tired of hearing it talk."
Dooku inclined his chin, "If you wouldn't have done it, then I would have." He watched the ashes of both deadlords fade away in the breeze, "Perhaps it was a mistake to give her some grace."
"You knew her?" The Valmese General asked.
A slight pang of sadness hit Dooku. He remembered when he was still a Master at the Jedi Temple. He and Qui Gon both went to watch a small group of Padawan Learners train. A group that contained the unruly Quinlan Vos, the unimpressive Obi Wan Kenobi, and the stoic Luminara Unduli. He was still puzzled as to why Qui Gon chose Obi Wan over Luminara. The little Mirialan had been most impressive that day. Dooku even considered taking on another apprentice because of her. But in the end, his student proved to be a wiser judge of a Jedi than he was.
"Once." Dooku sighed, "But it has been many years." He kicked at what remained of the ashes, rubbing them into the dirt, "And a lot has changed since then."
Cervantes shrugged, "Its dead, I hope. That's all that matters." He wiped a hand over his blood covered face. A shuddering breath rumbled from his lungs as he looked around the area. Observing the various scars in the earth from lightsabers digging into the ground, "I was left with what was deemed enough men to watch the Voice. The rest were pulled to combat those invading Archaneans." he snorted, "So much for Excellus's brilliant ideas."
Dooku arched an eyebrow as the General trudged over to a large boulder and sat down. He rested his spear beside him.
"I did not know you considered that worm intelligent?" Dooku replied as he vaguely recalled the fat tactician.
Cervantes uttered a quiet laugh. He spat into the dirt again then reached for a pouch on his belt, "He has to be if Walhart hasn't killed him yet. The Conqueror has executed others for worse failures than that worm has committed." He withdrew a pipe and some tobacco from the pouch. As his fingers trembled, struggling to shove some of the tobacco into the pipe, he sighed, "I'm guessing I'm going to be added to those ranks soon enough." He grabbed a match from his pouch, struck it, then lit the tobacco. The General took a long puff, then shuddered as he blew the smoke out. He gestured the pipe at Dooku, "Filthy habit. Only do it when I got nothing else to do. Considering all my men are dead, I figure I'll enjoy it once more before the Conqueror decides my fate."
Dooku pursed his lips. He glanced up at the Mila Tree, "You don't think the Voice is still up there?"
Cervantes shook his head, "Your friend went to go get her. And you," He gestured his pipe again before wedging it in the corner of his mouth, "are not going up there to find him. Which tells me you believe he has already left the area with the Voice. And the two of us aren't going to find them in this forest. Not tonight at least." He puffed on his pipe, "And by tomorrow, if they kept running, then we will not find them nearby. So… time to await my fate." He chewed a bit on the end of his pipe before pulling it from his lips, "You don't have to suffer a dead man like me, Tyrannus. If you have work that needs to be done, go about it."
To the General's surprise, Dooku took a seat beside him.
"To be honest with you General." Dooku folded his arms, "My old bones are quite tired at the moment. And I happen to like you, so I'd much rather you not meet some terrible fate."
Cervantes snorted, "Not like any amount of protesting will change the Conqueror's mind. I failed the mission he gave me. He does not allow failure." He looked into the forest as smoke swirled around his face, "And the Voice is on the run. I hope more of those damnable creatures aren't after her, but my well of hope is drained at the moment." He shook his head, "A delicate thing like her won't last long against those demons. Good thing your friend is with her. Maybe she stands a chance that way."
Dooku let out a dry laugh, "Delicate? Clearly you have not had the pleasure of seeing a Manakete in action."
Cervantes cocked an eyebrow, "And you have?"
Dooku took a breath, "Manaketes may seem fragile, but they are far from delicate. Don't underestimate her." Dooku closed his eyes then called upon the force. He needed to recuperate. And meditation was the perfect way to do so, "I have a feeling my friend, Robin, will be the one protected rather than doing the protecting."
Cervantes puffed on his pipe. He blew out a smoke ring then sighed.
"I hope you're right."
Robin's legs felt heavy. Each step caused shots of pain to rush up through his sore, stiff muscles. He stopped actually running hours ago. His body did not have the stamina to keep going at the sprint he had been going at. Not while he also carried the body of a passed out Manakete in his arms. So now, he trudged through the thick brush and foliage of the forest. Eyes heavy, arms weak, and legs wobbly. He sucked in a sharp breath as his head nodded.
"Getting tired?"
He scowled at Aversa's taunt.
"Perhaps you should let me carry the Manakete?" She said as she strolled along beside him. Robin could tell she was also weary. She did not carry herself with the same confidence she did back at the Mila Tree. And her voice was much quieter than it was before.
Robin shook his head, "If I give her to you, you are just going to stab me in the back and run away." Robin glared over at her, "So, no thank you. I can handle her."
Aversa rolled her eyes, "Sure you can. I can tell you aren't about to fall over from exhaustion."
"Am I wrong?" Robin shot back as he took another heavy step before pausing near a fallen tree.
Her silence spoke volumes. And that was enough for Robin to know that he was doing the right thing.
"You know," Robin wished she just stayed quiet, "If I really wanted to, I could just stab you in the back right now then forcibly take the Manakete from your dead hands."
Robin spun around, "She has a name you know."
Aversa arched an eyebrow, "And when did you get so attached? Perhaps that is just a characteristic of you pathetic Ylisseans. Always looking to befriend everything that crosses your path. Like a bunch of dumb puppies." She glanced at the Manakete lying in his arms, "Or, perhaps your reasons for growing attached to her are much more… well… selfish in nature."
Robin gave her a puzzled look. Aversa rolled her eyes.
"You are either blind or dumb."
Robin blinked. He looked down at Tiki. His eyes roved over her face. He could not deny, the woman was beautiful. Long locks of green hair were tied up into a high ponytail, with some in unruly bangs over her forehead. The way she slept peacefully in his arms despite the terror they all just experienced made him smile a little bit. He quickly shook his head.
"N-No!" He cried as his cheeks turned red. Aversa chuckled beside him, "I do not plan to do something like that."
Aversa shrugged, "Then you really are a dumb puppy." She folded her arms as she leaned up against a tree. Her eyes scanned the trail behind them, "Do you think we lost them?"
Robin sighed, "I don't know. I get the impression that Gharnef guy was quite slow." He adjusted his hold on Tiki, "As for the other Risen, well… we're just going to have to pray that we can outrun them."
Some rays of sunlight broke over the horizon. A weary sigh left Robin's lips.
"Gods, I'm tired." He groaned.
He tried to take another step. His leg buckled. Robin gasped as he pitched forward, dropping Tiki to the ground. He squeezed his eyes shut and groaned as he lay on his stomach. When he opened his eyes, he glanced up and saw Aversa squatting beside him.
"This would be too easy." She said with a sinister smirk.
A small sound came from Tiki's lips. Her eyes fluttered open as she stirred awake. Aversa furrowed her brow as the Manakete pushed herself up from the ground. A loud yawn left her lips. Both Robin and Aversa froze when they caught sight of fangs hidden behind her lips. Tiki smacked her lips together as she blinked sleep from her eyes. Her green eyes flicked over to Robin and Aversa.
"Oh?" She stretched her arms over her head. A slight brush rushed over Robin's cheeks, "Sorry about that. Sometimes when I use the more draconic side of my powers, I get tired." She yawned again. Both Robin and Aversa paled as her fangs were much more visible now. Tiki cracked an eye open as she yawned. A small smirk crossed her lips, "I guess my fangs are showing today."
"Um," Robin replied dumbly, "Uh…"
"They are." Aversa grumbled as she rose back to her feet, "And my job is now a lot more complicated." She glared down at Robin, "I should have just stabbed you when I could."
Robin glared back at Aversa. Beside him, Tiki frowned.
"I doubt that is the correct way to treat someone who just helped you escape a deadlord."
Aversa blinked, "A what?"
"A deadlord." Robin replied. He pushed his body up from the ground and rested his back against the fallen tree behind him. The soft moss cushioned him as he leaned his head back, "Think bigger, scarier Risen."
Aversa's eyes widened a little bit, "So that thing we fought was a Risen?" She whipped her gaze back towards the Mila Tree. She could still see it sitting high over the forest in the distance. A shudder ran through her, "That's worrying. It means we can't kill him."
"Gharnef is now truly invulnerable." Tiki took a breath, "Between Imhullu and his status as one of Grima's Fell Servants, he can't be killed. I doubt he could even be harmed by anything."
Robin cracked an eye open, "I'm pretty sure I hurt him with my lightning spell."
Tiki shook her head and rose to her feet, "As much as I appreciate your efforts, you only managed to annoy him." She glanced back at the Mila Tree, "We can't go back that way."
"You're right on that one." Aversa hummed, "I don't plan on dying to Risen. Or being dragged back to face the one who summoned them."
Robin nodded in agreement. He furrowed his brow as he thought about their newest enemy. Gharnef, an unknown sorcerer that was now a deadlord. And he used a spell he had never heard of before.
"Imhullu?" He asked Tiki.
Tiki gave him a puzzled look, "Has humanity really forgotten?"
Robin shrugged, "To be fair, my memory extends to waking up in a field near Southtown about three years ago." He gave Tiki a small smile, "Consider me ignorant on the matter."
Aversa scowled, "I'd like to know what the hell Imhullu is as well."
A slightly sad expression crossed Tiki's face, "It has been that long since the old days." A soft sigh left her lips, "Imhullu is an extremely powerful spell created by Gharnef himself using the darksphere. Or as you probably know it, the gem Sable."
Robin noticed Aversa tense up a little bit.
"The tome makes the caster invulnerable." Tiki further explained, "Except if someone uses a spell that breaks Imhullu's barrier. That spell is Starlight. It was made by Gharnef's master, Gotoh." Tiki gulped, "Although, given how many years it has been since Gharnef's actual life, I doubt Starlight exists anymore."
"So he's unkillable." Aversa huffed, "Great."
"Indeed. And thus, I think it would be a very bad idea for us to fight among each other when Gharnef is trying to track us down." Tiki glanced at Robin, "He's after you as well. Why?"
Aversa eyed Robin as the tactician remained resting against the moss covered log.
Robin shrugged, "You tell me. I don't know why those deadlords wanted me." He turned his attention to Tiki, "I just came with my friend, Dooku, to the Mila Tree in hopes that you would be able to help me with a problem."
"A problem?" Tiki replied.
Robin nodded. He opened his mouth to explain, but quickly snapped it shut. He glared at Aversa.
"What?" The dark mage asked, "Oh, does the dumb puppy not want others to hear his secrets?"
"Not really." Robin snarled back.
Tiki gave both a confused look, "Are you two enemies? Rivals?" She put a finger to her chin, "Scorned lovers?"
Robin and Aversa paled.
"No!" They both cried.
Aversa pinched the bridge of her nose, "I hate him. He hates me. We fought on opposing sides of war." She blinked as she recalled the last battle of the Plegian War, "And he electrocuted me during that war."
Robin let out a dry laugh, "I'd happily do so again."
A cold rush of wind caught all of their attention. Tiki frowned. Her pointed ears twitched as she heard sounds neither Aversa or Robin could be capable of detecting.
"We should get moving." Tiki muttered, "Both of you can argue later."
"We're not arguing." Robin grumbled. He groaned as he struggled to rise to his feet. Tiki reached out, took him by the hand, and easily yanked him to his feet. Causing a startled yelp to leave Robin's mouth. Tiki laughed a little bit.
"Sorry, I don't know my own strength sometimes." Tiki flicked her gaze to the woods around them as more sunlight rushed over the forest, "Do either of you know where we can find some shelter?"
Aversa shook her head.
"I have friends I think are nearby." Robin replied, "Myself and Dooku rode several days out ahead of them. Depending on how slow they marched, we could be close to them. They would be east of here."
Tiki nodded, "Then we go east."
Without any hesitation, Tiki marched towards the rising sun. Robin winced as his muscles protested. He followed her. Aversa hesitated. She watched the two stride away from the fallen tree. A scowl formed over her lips.
"Death one way, or death the other." Aversa muttered to herself, "I'm more likely to be spared by the dumb puppies than the Risen."
An exasperated sigh rushed from her lungs. Reluctantly, she followed the Manakete and the Tactician east. All the while, she said a quiet prayer to Grima that something would befall the annoying tactician. Something that would make her mission easier to complete.
Validar's heels clacked against the warm stone halls of the Plegian Palace. Torches burned bright on sconces along the long corridor that led from the great hall towards the personal living quarters. As he walked, he ran a thin hand over his face and uttered a long sigh.
Another long day as ruler of Plegia finished. Hopefully this farce would be finished soon. He grew weary of hearing the commonfolk's constant complaints.
"Our village well has run dry."
"Bandits are terrorizing the farm lands to the southeast."
"The harvest has been weak so far this year. Should we expect a famine?"
All of those complaints, and not a single one of those blithering idiots he called subjects could come up with a solution on their own. No, they had to heap their concerns upon the crown. Then they will act surprised when the crown lashes out.
Soon. Validar thought to himself as he descended a flight of stairs. Down the corridor he heard the sound of steal hissing through the air, Very soon, they will not complain any longer. Grima will rise again. And all will be right in the world.
He pushed his way out a set of double doors. The heat of the Plegian desert blasted against his greying skin. His yellowed eyes stared out into the courtyard as the sun set on the horizon. Normally this place was used an area for rest. A reprieve from the labors of court and kingly duties. Chairs were usually set out with small umbrellas to shield the King from the sun. Servants would stand at the ready to attend to his every need.
Those chairs were pushed to the side now. The umbrellas were folded and cast to the ground beside the chairs. Two servants stood near the palace doors along with two guards. One servant carried a jug of cold water. Another carried a towel and a crystal glass. Both servants looked terrified as they stared out at the man at the center of the courtyard.
The Hierophant sucked in a sharp breath. In through his nose, then out. Sweat dripped over his lean form as he gripped a steel blade in both hands. Across from him stood three Grimleal mages. All three looked afraid. Their spellbooks were cracked open. Validar could feel magic hanging thick in the air.
The King's eyes widened.
He's training. He felt confused, Why? He is practically a god.
The first mage fired a thunder spell at the Hierophant. With tremendous grace, the Hierophant spun around the spell. The bolt brushed past him. Just barely missing the skin on his back. The lightning bolt slammed into the stones beside him. Dust and smoke shot up as a small explosion rocked the courtyard. The servants beside Validar trembled as the Hierophant shot forward.
The second mage gathered a flux into his palm and quickly fired it. Validar's jaw fell open as the Hierophant avoided it at the last possible second. Easily flipping over the ball of purple energy. When he landed, the spell impacted with the wall surrounding the courtyard. Rubble shot out from the wall as an explosion of dark magic rocked the stones.
Before the Hierophant could recover, the third mage conjured an immense fire spell. The Hierophant narrowed his eyes as the fireball rocketed towards him. With a snarl on his lips, he rose and extended an open palm. The fireball collided with an invisible wall inches from his palm. Flames billowed around his form. But not a single ember touched him.
He slid up in front of the mages. All three took a step back. But not fast enough.
He slammed the flat of his blade into one's skull. The mage staggered backwards then fell unconscious. His fist hammered into the second mage's jaw. The second mage crumpled to the ground like a plant dying in the desert heat. The third mage whimpered then fell to the fetal position, arms covering his head as he curled up at the Hierophant's feet.
That one, he killed. His steel blade dug between the mage's ribs. The poor fool uttered a short cry. The Hierophant twisted his blade, and life left the mage's eyes.
The white haired man jerked the blade free from the lifeless body. His burning eyes flicked over to Validar. Immediately, both servants rushed away from Validar's side towards the Hierophant. One offered him a cold glass of water. The other gave him the towel. The Hierophant sipped on the water then grimaced.
"The day I no longer have to worry about the needs of a mortal form, is the day I will truly be happy." He tossed the glass back to the servant, wiped sweat from his face with the towel, then gave the towel back. He glared over at Validar, "What do you want?"
Validar stiffened, "Um… I just came to report to you on the activities in the kingdom."
"Anything that actually requires my attention?" The Hierophant rolled his shoulders. Muscles popped, and he winced.
Validar hesitated, "Well-"
"Then why are you bothering me?" He nodded at a guard stationed near the courtyard entry. The guard bowed then retreated back inside of the palace.
Validar flicked his eyes away from the Hierophant's penetrating stare. He needed to think of something quick. Obviously his lord was in a foul mood today.
"The-there are bandits attacking farms to the southeast."
The Hierophant frowned a little bit as he swung his arms in lazy circles. Doing his best to keep the muscles loose.
"Are they our bandits?"
Validar blinked, "P-pard-"
"Are they our bandits. Or has this group gone rogue?"
Validar drew back. He had forgotten about the bandits the Grimleal had hired to wreak havoc in southern Ylisse. While Prince Chrom and his Shepherds were busy fighting a war an ocean away, the bandits worked on destabilizing the hard fought peace the damned Naga-spawn thought they achieved after the last war. When the Prince returned, his nation would be in a panic over bandits and dark mages attacking the fringes once again. The Ylissean people would be demoralized. Making it easier for Plegia and his master to conquer the weaklings once and for all.
But he never told those bandits to attack the Plegian side of the border.
He slowly shook his head. A low snarl left the Hierophant's lips.
"Then they will be brought to heel. See to it."
Validar bowed his head, "Of course, my lord."
The door to the palace creaked open. The guard marched back out into the courtyard. Following him were ten prisoners bound in chains. Validar eyed the prisoners with confusion as they were marched out into the courtyard. They all stood in a line across from the Hierophant. Some were scrawny men. Half starved from the looks of things. A couple were burly looking brutes. And there were two women in the bunch. One with jet black hair eyed the Hierophant with fear. The other with pale blonde hair stared at him with stubborn determination.
The Hierophant noticed Validar's confusion, "Rogue bandits." He said simply.
"Ah." Validar nodded.
The Hierophant twirled his still bloody blade in one hand. He nodded over at the guard. The guard went one by one along the line of prisoners, unlocking their chains and ordering them to grab a weapon from a rack at the edge of the courtyard. Not a single prisoner moved at first. All of them seemed too terrified, or too confused to comprehend the order.
The Hierophant snarled and curled his fingers. One of the scrawnier prisoners gasped and reached for his throat.
"It was not a suggestion." He clenched his fist. The prisoner's neck snapped. He fell limp to the ground. The other bandits stared horrified at their fallen comrade, "You will need a weapon."
"Why?" One prisoner, a large, barrel chested man with a balding head and hard eyes,
asked.
"Because," The Hierophant began, "you and your little crew failed to uphold your end of the bargain." The leader of the prisoners gulped, "You decided it would be fun to try and pick off some Plegian trade caravans out in the desert. And now, you shall be punished for such idiocy." The Hierophant gave the prisoners a small smirk, "However, I am not without some mercy. If any of you manage to defeat me, then you will not only live, you will be rewarded." He gestured at the prisoners with his sword, "Go on now, I'll wait."
There was no hesitation this time. Two prisoners grabbed axes. One grabbed a warhammer. And the rest grabbed swords. The two women held the swords awkwardly. As if they were more accustomed to handling books than blades.
The Hierophant inclined his chin at the prisoners.
"Any day now."
The one with the warhammer charged with a loud yell. The Hierophant smirked, stepped to the side, then bashed the pommel of his blade between the man's shoulder blades. The blow had a surprising amount of power behind it as it sent the man stumbling into the dirt.
The rest charged as one unit at the Hierophant. A pang of worry hit Validar as he realized his lord was outnumbered nine to one.
Then the Hierophant moved. First it was simple movements. Easy, stiff parries meant to warm his body up and grow accustomed to the pace of the fight. Then his parries turned into even simpler movements. His blade deflected enemy strikes just enough so that they would miss his body. Each subtle movement of his blade expended as little energy as possible. And Validar stood in awe as he watched a perfect defense for in front of his eyes.
A switch flipped. The Hierophant flipped off of the ground, up and over a bandit with an ax. Midair, he extended an open palm. A blast slammed into the bandit, driving his body into the ground. The man's legs splintered beneath the pressure. His screams filled the yard as he writhed on the hot stone. Screams that faded as blood pooled beneath his shattered body.
The Hierophant landed, deflected a stab at his chest, then began his counterassault. His blade became a blur. A red line of blood shot up from the second ax wielding bandit. His throat was cut. As he collapsed to his knees, the bandit with the warhammer swung a wild blow at the Hierophant's shoulder. The Hierophant twirled around, dodged the hammer, then plunged his blade down the man's throat.
Two sword wielding bandits and their leader attacked at that moment, forcing the Hierophant to leave his weapon lodged in the mouth of his last victim. Not that he needed the weapon in the first place.
A ball of black fire ignited between his fingers on his right hand. He launched a fireball at blonde woman. The flames consumed her in a pillar of black fire. Within seconds, her body turned to ash.
He turned on the final five bandits as they backed fearfully away from him. The Hierophant's eyes gleamed with delight as he drank in their fear. He flicked his wrist. His blade ripped free from the esophagus it was stuck in and flew to his waiting hand. The bandit leader swallowed hard as the strong determination he once showed vanished.
"Oh come on now." The Hierophant hummed, "It is still five against one. You still have a chance."
The bandit leader looked at his comrades, "Together." he grunted.
Four charged. The fifth, the woman with black hair, trembled in fear as the Hierophant glared at her.
The Hierophant tore his attention away from her in order to focus on the last four bandits. He killed two easily. Quick slashes through their throats ended their lives in the blink of an eye. He reached out with a fist at the third bandit. This one rose in the air. Bones cracked as an invisible force crushed him. As the third lifeless body fell to the ground, the bandit leader trembled. He dropped his weapon in the sand and sank to his hands and knees, head bowed.
"Have mercy! Please!" The large man cried as the Hierophant stood over her.
The Hierophant clicked his tongue, "I have known many leaders of men in my life. One became one of my greatest foes. He was a rather benevolent person, now that I look back on it. But even he would be disgusted by your cowardice."
He drove his blade down through the man's skull. The bandit leader shuddered, then fell to the side, dead. That left the final quaking woman alone to face the Hierophant. She uttered a whimper as the Hierophant turned his attention to her.
He took one step towards her, she raised her hand in a panic.
"Stay away!"
A blast of dark magic rocketed from her hand, catching the Hierophant off guard. The blast slammed into his chin. He swayed for a moment then fell to a knee as he reeled from the attack. The woman stared stunned as the Hierophant spat into the sand then glared up angrily at her.
"Not… bad." He growled, "For a randomly cast spell, that actually stung a little bit." The anger in his gaze faded, "You were once a dark mage, weren't you?"
The woman shook as he returned to his feet and stalked towards her. She gulped and nodded shakily.
She flinched as the Hierophant reached out a hand. A tear dripped down her cheek. Her eyes squeezed shut as his hand moved closer. She froze when it brushed the tear away.
"Congratulations, mage." He muttered, "You'll live." He nodded over at the guards, "Clean her up, I wish to speak with her later."
Validar arched an eyebrow as the guard scurried over to the former prisoner, grabbed her by the wrist, and quickly ushered her out of the courtyard. He eyed her as she entered the palace. The doors shut loudly behind her.
"I'm surprised you let one live." Validar hummed.
"She bested me." The Hierophant shrugged.
"No she didn't."
"I sense other plans for that one." The Brother hummed, "I think our human side wants to do something with her."
"Does it involve feasting upon her flesh?"
"In a way, yes."
The Hierophant snarled and smacked the side of his head, silencing both voices for the moment.
Validar nodded, "Well, until that defeat, it was a most excellent display of martial skill and magical prowess."
"Honed over years of practice." The Hierophant muttered. A servant offered him another glass of water. One he happily took. He sipped on it then exhaled, "That should be enough for this evening."
"Going to retire to your chambers?" Validar asked with a slight smirk on his lips.
The Hierophant scowled back, "I enjoy reading at night."
Before he could leave the courtyard, a cold wind rushed over the hot courtyard. Two piles of ash formed at the center, causing the Hierophant to freeze midstep. Validar's face paled as two of his master's deadlords appeared from the pillars of ash. Both prostrated themselves immediately before their creator.
The Hierophant was silent at first as his back was turned from them.
"What are you two doing here?"
The female deadlord raised her gaze, "Master, we-"
"Were defeated in battle by Equus." The Hierophant breathed, "Did you two at least accomplish your mission?"
Both Deadlords glanced at each other.
Pressure built up in the air as Validar noticed anger growing on his lord's features.
"Master," Simia gulped, "both the tactician known as Robin and the Manakete escaped our grasp."
The air froze around Validar. The desert heat changed into icicles on his breath. He could see frost puffing from his lips as the pressure in the air grew. The Hierophant spun around, teeth clenched tight.
"Escaped?" His eyes blazed with fury, "Robin I can understand escaping." He seethed as he approached the bowing deadlords, "But Tiki… I specifically told all three of you to make sure she stayed put. And if you could not manage to do that, at least try to kill her." The air rippled with lightning around the Hierophant, "Instead, you manage to let her slip from her prison with the Vessel!"
Lightning exploded out of him. Blue bolts shot into the deadlords. Screams erupted from their lips as they writhed on the ground beneath the furious assault of unnatural lightning. Validar shielded his eyes as the lightning flashed brighter than the sun.
The flashes faded as the Hierophant reined his fury back in. He took a deep breath and glared at his deadlords as they lay nearly motionless on the ground.
"Where is Bovis?" He snarled.
The second deadlord, the one known as Porcus, raised his head.
"Pursuing them." He wheezed, "With some Risen assisting him."
A low growl left the Hierophant's lips as he stood over his wounded deadlords.
"And Equus?"
Simia uttered a weak cough, "A traitor."
The Hierophant's hands clenched into fists at his sides. Through a clenched jaw, he spoke again.
"How did this happen?" He asked, "Both of you were supposed to take care of Equus while Bovis handled the Vessel and the Manakete."
"Mages interfered." Simia weakly groaned.
"Mages?" The Hierophant scoffed. He buried a foot into her side, eliciting a loud cry followed by hard coughs, "Valmese mages should be nothing for you!"
"Grim… leal." Simia wheezed, "Grimleal mages."
The Hierophant drew back. His rage shifted to contemplation, then back to fury.
"Morgana." He hissed, the air rippled with dark power once again, "Damn her." He glared at Validar, "Aversa has failed. You will give any information on the heretical high priestess to Draco. He will hunt her down now."
Before Validar could reply, the Hierophant spun around.
"As for both of you," The Hierophant began as his Deadlords tried to pick up their weak forms from the ground, "you will return to Valm. Link up with Tigris in the Valmese army. Inform him that he is to use you both for maximum effect against both Kenobi and Equus. And remind him that he is to make sure the Valmese lose this little war. If you cannot handle this simple task, then perhaps I need to summon different souls to take your place."
Fear shot through both Deadlord's faces.
"Go now." The Hierophant said with a dismissive wave of his hand. Golden light filled the area beneath both deadlords. In a bright flash, they both disappeared.
"When can I feast upon Equus's soul?"
"Whenever you want to at this point, in my opinion. Unfortunately, I thought too much of him."
We both did. The Hierophant thought.
He strode past Validar as the Plegian King remained frozen in place.
"Do not disturb me tonight." The Hierophant growled as he strode back into the palace.
The palace doors opened and closed. The Hierophant left the courtyard, and Draco took his place. The armored deadlord walked up beside Validar. He stood silent as ever. Validar snarled.
"Start in an abandoned village to the north, in the wasteland. Hopefully the desert hasn't consumed it yet. That is the last place I saw her alive." Validar growled to the deadlord.
Draco gave him a slow nod, then marched away. Validar took a deep breath and turned his eyes to the setting sun.
"Once again, you interfere." Validar growled, "Morgana, you will die for this. I swore it back then, when you took my son from me."
He spun on his heel and stormed back into the palace.
"And I swear it again now."
And chapter! Another very fun chapter to write! The dynamic between Robin, Tiki, and Aversa is going to be very entertaining to create. Especially since two of them are going to constantly antagonize each other. And it looks like Dooku made a legitimate friend in General Cervantes. I'm sure the good General will be in for a shock when he realizes where his true loyalties lie. And the Hierophant gets some rather bad news. His scene was extremely fun to write. So far, I've only ever shown him in a more magical aspect. This time, I decided to follow the advice of one of you reviewers and show a bit more of his human side by having him train, even if he sort of doesn't have to. His character is going to be very fun to write going forward.
Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!