Okay gang we are pushing onward with the plot! Once again, long chapter, probably, and it will have feels as most of these chapters tend to. Thank you all for the encouragement, the kind words and reviews, and sticking with it to this point. Super appreciate it. Yes, I know our villains didn't show up too much last chapter but, that's part of being sneaky pieces of trash. Anyway, enjoy!
Warning: Kind of graphic battle scenes, rage inducing moments, and enough feels to sink into.
Chapter Eleven: Beautiful Crime
It had only been a couple of days since the troop had returned, sore, exhausted, and ready to rest so they could forget the massacre they had seen. Without Phier needing to ask, both her soldiers and the Hoshidan ones agreed to keep Ascalon's secret, understanding how bad it would be if he was discovered. Kaze said he would try to find any records of missing royal children that could possibly be his family, taking into account that he might very well be from an entirely different land. Once they had all come back to the castle with the pained princess and unconscious wyvern knight, the troops helped carry the young pair to the Med Bay, surprising the healers.
As the general instructed the healers to keep the mask on her son while they patched him up, she heard the distant call that King Garon was approaching, wishing to speak with the injured teens. That was all it took for her 'mother bear' instincts to kick in, as one was in massive amounts of pain and the other out cold, and she stormed to the entrance to the Barracks so as to meet with him and stop him. Neither her son nor his friend needed this right now.
Soon she was face to face with her king, anger and annoyance clear, standing in his way and blocking his path. He stood six feet away, glaring at the proud Wyvern Lord, eventually saying, "General Phier, I need to get by. Stand aside."
"No. I know who you wish to speak to and can tell you that neither of them are able to speak at the moment. Your daughter is in agony, and my son is unconscious. If you wish to know what happened, you may ask me." She told him, voice firm and unyielding, even after he struck her face with his armored hand. Grunting at the painful throbbing she straightened up and continued to block him.
"Step aside General. Lest you're willing to take the consequences that come with disobeying me."
"I have, and always will, be willing to take the consequences for protecting my child your majesty, no matter who comes after him. It's a trait I received from my teacher and will hold onto until I'm dead. Surely Queen Katerina taught you that, like she did me?"
Staring at the strong woman only a moment longer, flinching at the mention of his long-lost love, the king gave her another sharp hit, catching her this time just above the eye, and turned on his heel to leave, ordering, "I expect a full, detailed, report on my desk by tomorrow morning before 8a.m., understood General Phier?"
"Understood my king."
"Good. Next time do not stand in my way. Good day."
"Yes, my king." She replied, waiting until he was gone to check herself in a nearby bucket of water.
No broken bones, thankfully, but her face would not look too fantastic for the next week or so. Explaining this to Arcturus would be a pain as well. Sighing and wiping the blood from her eye she stood up straight and, head held high in victory, she made her way back to the Med Bay, ignoring everyone's questions as she passed by. Entering the bustling area, she went over tot the bed her son was at, taking over on keeping his breathing mask on while teeth, of all things, were removed from the wound on the back of his neck. Carefully, with her free hand, she ran her fingers through his hair, calming her nerves while the healers worked.
"Phier, would you like me to take care of your face, before certain people see it?" Luther, the oldest resident healer, asked politely as he removed the last few teeth.
"Once you're finished here, if you're not too tired. My boy is priority, above all else. Next is my husband, and then my child's friends. Thank you though." She answered, giving the elder man a warm smile.
"Very well dear. Let me call over my apprentice and we can patch up your boy. She's quite talented, if I may say so. Elise, come over here!"
At the healer's beckon, the young blond princess quickly made her way over, smile fading as she passed first her hurt sister and then approached Ascalon. Holding her staff close she gave a tiny smile to Phier and then, looking to Luther, asked, "How can I help?"
He answered with a laugh and said, with a spark in his eyes, "Well, I'm going to show you how to fix deeper wounds. Your friend has a few but, when we're done with him, he'll be right as rain, alright?"
"Okay. I will do my best. How did he gain these wounds Mrs. Avenstar?" She asked politely, turning to face the wyvern lord.
Surprised by the young child's positivity and the way she seemed to glow and radiate happiness, like a miniature sun, Phier explained as best as she could what happened, hoping none of it frightened the young princess. Elise nodded, taking down a couple of notes on a small pad she tucked away in her sleeve and, giving a bright smile she told the general it would be no problem to fix this up, so long as they avoided aggravating his breathing condition. Unable to not believe the positive child she gave a thumbs up and continued to keep her child calm and peaceful.
Luther and Elise worked together seamlessly, each one knowing exactly what to do and showing a great understanding and compassion for the healing arts. They carefully sewed the muscle, tissues, and skin back to what it was, leaving only a small scar behind, barley bigger than the width of a piece of paper. Done with that the pair went over the rest of his cuts and bruises, doing what they could and telling Phier that he would need to rest for the next three days. Once more he offered to heal her face, gently bowing and leaving when she gave the same response as last time and proceeded to attend to the others and Princess Camilla.
Hours passed, and the mother stayed with her child, wanting to be the first thing he saw when he woke up, knowing he would be scared and worried as to what happened. She busied herself in the meantime by writing out the report for the mission, leaving out certain parts, and then having one of her men deliver it. As the clock neared midnight, Arcturus finally found his wife and son, admits all of the chaos that had consumed his day. Half running through the Med Bay he went to them, holding his best friend close and burying his face into the crook of her neck, heart calming at last. A moment later, after she returned the hug and soothed the worried captain, Arcturus pulled back and took in the bruises that bloomed above here eye and on her cheek.
"They told me you pissed off Garon but geez, hun what did you do? And, why is your other cheek red?" He asked, sitting her down and retrieving a first aid kit.
Sighing she let him patch her up, answering grumpily, "It was Princess Jezebel, surprise. I told her that if she or her weird freaky friend set a foot in the Barracks or Med Bay, my men would toss them out into the mud, and then the active volcano nearby if they tried a second time. She huffed and puffed, whining like the baby she is, and slapped me…to teach me a lesson."
"Oh gods, how did you get rid of her?"
"Made eye contact and growled, they kind I use to use when George did something wrong, like pee in the incorrect spot."
Barking out a sharp laugh, Arcturus gave his wife a sly grin, proud of her just in general, and finished cleaning her up. Scooting his seat next to her he looked at their boy, worried but glad to see him resting peacefully, even if he needed his mask for it. He thanked the gods for all he had, a brilliant wife, an amazing and resilient child, and the ability to change and adapt to the new world that had grown around him. Wordlessly he took her hand and stayed with her for the rest of the night, listening to her first explain what happened at the border, how old fears had been renewed, and the concern over how enemies so foreign made it here. Phier eventually switched subjects and the two spoke of the future the wanted once they left Nohr, how they would design their home, whether or not to have more kids and what they would name them. It was as the sun rose and created the morning that the pair fell asleep, holding hands and resting their heads on the bed next to their son. Luther, who had risen early to do morning prayers, found the sweet couple and draped a spare blanket over them, chuckling quietly to himself as he went on his way.
Not too long after that Ascalon stirred, sunlight shinning through the windows and softly bringing him into the world. Shifting some he felt an odd weight on the hospital bed, looking down and finding his parents drooling and snoring loudly. He laughed some, coughing as his throat ached, and heard another laugh off to his right. Well, more of a wheeze. Either way he turned his eyes and head, wincing as his neck ached worse than the rest of him, and saw Camilla weakly smiling at him. Her chest was heavily bandaged and her leg in a cast.
"Well, that mission was exciting." She mused, not fully awake.
He tried to answer, coughing instead, and gave her a look that was the easiest way to say, 'Sorry, can't answer you right now.'.
He fell back into a troubled sleep, twitching and muttering to himself again, waking some time later to his mother humming and braiding part of his hair. Her voice, almost as smooth and elegant as Arete's, softly sang an old hymn of Nohr. Echoing in the mostly empty Med Bay, the tune carried along as gracefully as a feather on a gentle breeze, almost seeming odd as it came from someone so fierce and powerful. Ascalon knew the loving side of his mother though and, smiling under the mask, he watched as she was lost in her world, just for a moment longer. It wasn't long until she saw he was awake, gracing him with a cozy smile and affectionately petting his head.
"You look better, much better. How do you feel? Can you vocally speak or is that too difficult right now?" She asked sweetly, helping him as he pushed himself up.
Debating for a moment with himself he answered, using his hands, and saying, "My throat is being a pain in the butt. I'm going to let it recover more before even fathoming talking. What happened to your face mom?"
Replying in the same manner, she rolled her eyes and told him, "Well, let's just say that it's a good thing I can multitask, and that I might have upset King Garon a little."
"MOM! What did you do?! Of all people to upset, you chose the king?"
"Hey, don't you raise your voice on me! As for him, he was coming down to try and wake you up and then interrogate you and Camilla. Should I have let him? Huh, Ascalon? Would you have preferred that?"
"…No. But he could have done worse to you, even kill you. He's been strange since Arete passed and he is only getting worse. Thank you for keeping us safe though."
"Of course sweet heart. You know I'm always here for you, no matter what it is." She signed to him, glad the argument had been short lived.
"Yeah. Mom, do you think I'll ever get over what happened to me? I froze right in the middle of a bloodbath, lost to it. What if that happens again and there's no one to bring me out of it? What if people die because I'm too scared to do anything?" He told her, eyes narrowing as he tried to push away the terrible thoughts.
"Things will get better it just takes time and sadly some exposure to it, acceptance of what happened. The hardest part is convincing yourself you did nothing wrong, honestly. It's always the one thing most have trouble with, myself included."
"Huh? You?"
"Yes, me. Quite some time ago, I found myself in a rather…difficult situation. It was one of my earlier missions, when I was just a foot soldier, and my team was attacked, ambushed, and taken hostage. I wasn't the leader but, by the end of that week of imprisonment, I was all the men left had."
"What happened? Have you told dad about this?" Ascalon asked after a moment, watching his mother shift just slightly, a hand reaching and unconsciously wrapping around her side protectively.
Laughing lightly she told him, "That was where we first met actually. He was so young and insanely reckless. We learned together that week though. Ascalon…sometimes in life you have to do things you don't want to. It might be the most difficult thing you do. I was the only woman in a team of all men, but I hadn't been noticed by the captors…Arcturus hid me from them. He cut my hair short, said I was mute, and used what he could to hide my "pretty face" as he called it. When our group of twenty shrunk down to five though, it wasn't long before I was outed."
Taking a deep breath, as it was still a little hard to speak of, Phier smiled brightly to her son and continued with, "I was separated from them and…I knew what was going to happen, and that if I tried to fight, not plan things out, I would die and so would they. I did as I was asked, being the epitome of compliant, and through that those idiots grew relaxed around me. When the sky was at its darkest and I had to entertain their leader again, he never expected die the way he did. I had tricked the cook earlier into using a certain berry in their food, convincing him it was safe when in actuality it was deadly. And on that night I stole everything I could from those bastards, took my four men with me, and returned home, truly understanding what it was to lead, to sacrifice. Arcturus remained loyal to me since that day, being the one I snuck myself away to and cried my eyes out in front of."
Finishing her story, the general added, "For so long I blamed the deaths of those men on myself, me being selfish and not wanting to face the inevitable earlier, not thinking to do that in the first place. I was smart, I knew what kind of men these monsters were, but I let my friend hide me, because I was afraid. It took ten years for me to finally be able to look at myself in the mirror and know that I did nothing wrong, I had played it right with the cards I was dealt, and I wouldn't change anything. The men I did save have stayed with me, most joining the Wyvern Troop, except your father. Stubborn bastard; I love him though."
With a wheezing laugh Ascalon looked to his mother, grateful he had her as a parent, and signed back, "Thank you mom. I hope one day I can be as strong as you, even a little bit. Where did you learn to be so…lethal?"
"Lethal huh? I came from a poor family in the Ice Tribe, out casted since birth because I didn't exactly fit in; had to make it through life alone mostly. One day I met Athena, struggling to survive in the cold temperatures on her own and, wanting to be free, I climbed on her back and left. We've been to many places and seen so much together, like you and George will. Get some rest sweetie."
That said she leaned over and kissed his head, helping him get comfortable under the blankets, and left to go attend to her work. He watched her leave, a small smile tugging at his lips, before resting again and closing his eyes. Her words, story, and bravery were reason enough to try. To have the same zeal and resilience as her. If she could overcome the ordeal she had, and know that it wasn't her fault, so could he.
[Four Days Later- Med Bay- Ascalon & Camilla]
Camilla, fully healed at last, stretched her arms high over her head, wincing as her chest ached fiercely. Next to her, looking rather perturbed, was her best friend. He huffed quietly as he assisted her and helped her out of bed, unable to make eye contact with the princess, disappointment clear on his face. Annoyed at the uncomfortable air that floated between them eventually Camilla sighed and flicked his nose, getting his attention.
"Lon, what is it? What are you upset at me about?" She asked, standing up and trying to get a clear look at his face.
"What am I upset about?" He asked, gold eyes snapping to glare at her, anger clear. "Oh, maybe the fact that you could had died in my arms. Or perhaps that you, someone not trained in medicine or first aid, ripped a hunk of wood out of yourself in the middle of a fight while we were being chased down by undead monsters? It's not like there was someone right fucking there that could have properly removed it, and all of the splinters that needed to be taken out later because you were reckless."
"You're angry about that? Of all things, me not bleeding out and dying, is what you are so pissed about?"
"The splinter was acting as a plug! You weren't going to bleed out. And yes that, as well as the chance of you dying in many different ways, like blood loss, INFECTION FROM SPLINTERS THAT WERE LEFT BEHIND IN YOUR FRICKEN BOOB, tearing the tissues and muscles that are dangerously close to your HEART! CLUMSY CAURTERISATION! I was right there and could have easily taken care of everything once we were safe. You should have asked me; you had many chances to. But no, you dumbly went and decided to treat yourself and risk your damn life. You could have died in my arms and there was nothing I could do! I know you were in pain but seriously."
"But I, as you can see, am perfectly fine! No infection, no death, not too much blood loss."
"You lost almost all of your boob. And that's because you were lucky. Do you not understand how serious this is?" He asked her, bewildered as she didn't quite get what he was saying.
"No. No I do not. I feel like you're throwing a fit because you're Mr. Smart Medicine Man that has all of the answers. And for your information, I have trained in fist aid, thank you." Camilla told him, officially angry with him, shoving him back a bit to get her feelings across.
Leaning in close he said, "First aid, sweetie, is not an acceptable substitute for a full-blown medical procedure. Milla, you need to learn that, or you won't survive battle. Also, if you are going to join the Wyvern Troop, which even though I'm pissed at you I still want you to, you need to learn that I am the medic, and what I say goes. I have trained and studied since I was eight. I think I know what I'm talking about."
Scoffing at that last comment she stared at him, ready to slap her friend, only to watch him spin on his heel and storm off, come back with crutches and leave them for her, before officially leaving the Med Bay. Shouting loudly, he ended the fight with, "Glad to see you're JUST FINE!"
Many people in the area stared at the two, including a surprised Xander, who had been entirely blown off by the inconsolable wyvern knight, and Elise who had been helping heal other wounded soldiers. A tense silence hung in the air as Camilla puffed a few rage-filled breaths, guilt soon crawling up and lodging into her throat like a piece of stuck bread. Groaning in frustration she put the crutches in place and hobbled out of the medical area, ignoring the people watching her, knowing she was going to get scolded by the stunned prince waiting for her. He instead helped her make her way to her room, not asking any questions, as he had heard most of the tiff. Once she was comfortable Xander gave his sister a sympathetic smile and sat in a chair he pulled over to the side of her bed.
Taking a deep breath and releasing it she pushed her hair back, tying it into a ponytail, and said, "I know; I messed up. He just, ugh, he gets so finicky about medical stuff though! Like, he's always checking in on people while their training and points out what they're doing wrong, why it's wrong. I did what I knew! I didn't want him to worry about me; we had enough to be concerned over and…ahhhhhhhhggggg! I just wish he could have been a bit nicer about it."
Nodding Xander looked at his sister, putting a supporting hand on her shoulder, and replied, "Considering how upset he can get, that was a slap on the wrist and we both know it. Sis, you could have just said sorry and explained what you had been thinking during the fight; he would have understood."
"Oh gods, you're on his side too! Really Xan?"
"I am on his side because he's right. Camilla you could have very, very easily died out there. He also is one of the best non-magic medics we have in our military. You came out alright this time but that doesn't mean you will be fine next time. The fact that you lost a part of yourself and will need another surgery unless you'd like to be lopsided, should tell you something. When you came back to the castle, I was so scared, I couldn't bring myself to leave the outside of the Med Bay until two days later. Ascalon was right on all of his points. Should he have been a bit less aggressive? Yes, and you can bet I'll be talking with him too. But you should have heard his words first. Both of you were wrong in certain fields."
Huffing in frustration and embarrassment she fiddled with the edge of her blanket, knowing her brother was right. With a heavy sigh she said, "Yeah, I guess you're right. He usually isn't this angry either. And he should be picky about how well people preform medical procedures; they're meant to help people and save lives. I just wish he hadn't been so pissed about it."
"Me too; it was very unlike him. Ascalon has a lot on his plate though and father has not been kind either. He hit Phier several times when she told him you guys were unable to tell him about what happened, and he's being sent out again in a day. The instant father learned Ascalon was able to function he gave the order." Xander explained to her, disappointed with how cold his father was being towards his friend.
"…What? We just got back. He can't do this! I need to get ready!" Attempting to rise from her bed Camilla reached to her brother, only to find him saddened further, giving her a look that told her things were worse. "Xan, please help me. Please?"
"…Dad believes that your clumsiness lead to your injuries and has forbade you from going on any more missions. Only when you have General Phier's approval, as well as the rest of the Wyvern Troops, will you be allowed to join them again as an apprentice. Until then, he's found a replacement for you."
"A replacement? Who has put in my spot brother?" She asked, gaining no answer at first, but instead a sorrowful and guilty gaze. Sitting up in her bed, pushing aside her pain, Camilla held her brother's arms in an iron grip and asked again, this time voice rising in fear, "Who is replacing me? Tell me!"
Shaking his head in shame Xander looked away and could only mutter, "I'm sorry. I tried to tell him no, but he wouldn't listen. We all tried. I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry."
[Ascalon, Courtyard of the Villas- Later the same day]
He watched the stars, conflicted as to what to do, Xander's lecture about his temper still ringing in his ears. He knew he had taken his anger out on Camilla and had spent the past two hours kicking himself mentally for it. Even more so he was upset that they fought in general. They had small disagreements every so often but today, something in him was just rearing and ready to fight, unyielding to his common sense until it was too late. True, his points had all be spot on during the argument, as apparently Xander had head the entire thing, but his approach was shit. Groaning as he debated what to do he laid down on the stone edge of the fountain, hands covering his face as he questioned whether or not Camilla would even be willing to look at him now.
"Agh, why am I so bad at this? Gods I'm trash!" He told himself in dismay, lost as to what to do.
An uncomfortably familiar giggle interrupted his thoughts and instantly set off all of his alarms. Swiftly he sat up, skittering backwards as he found Jezebel standing not too far away, hand covering her mouth as she laughed at him. Removing her had she gave him a smile, a legitimate and pleasant smile which unnerved him more, and sat a few feet away from him. Awkward tension hung between the teens as neither one had exactly the best relationship with the other, and the disturbing obsession was not exactly what Ascalon would call a 'friendship'. Eventually, after a moment, Jezebel sighed and hung her head some, knowing how bad this looked.
"Hey Ascalon…you seem upset. Is Camilla alright?" She asked him, voice timid and filled with unusual concern.
"Uh…Yeah, she's fine. She said that she saw you on the battle field…at Wytch's Grave. Know anything about it?" He asked her, cutting straight to the point and ready to fight if needed.
Knowing the perfect moment had come, as she had planned it with Iago, Jezebel pulled off the perfect performance and put on the mask of a confused and sad girl, trying to change her ways and caught in a bad situation. Acting ashamed and embarrassed, Jezebel sighed and told him, "I was there. I know we don't get along but, I heard Iago talking about getting revenge on you, for my mother's sake. I figured I would just trail after you all and try and stop him but, he was too strong for me. When I saw Camilla all I could do was laugh at the irony."
"You're…you can't be serious? If you knew what he was going to do why didn't you just tell me? Or anyone for that matter?"
"Would you have believed me? I know what kind of monster I am, and I know what you all think of me. No one would have listened. We both know that. And now your neck was hurt, Camilla, as much as I don't like her, could have died. I accidentally hit your mom. It's been a shitty day."
"Yeah, I feel that. Who's Iago?"
"He's my mother's talented apprentice. He really has it out for you; he thinks you killed her and Arete covered it up. I told him otherwise and…he disagreed, to simply put it. It's funny because now, of all times, I kind of realized how disturbed my mother and I are. Funny, isn't it?" She told him, her voice wavering and cracking just a bit, enough to pull on the sweet wyvern knights heart strings. Eyes watering and hands clasped together she fully fell into her act, truly taking on the appearance of a conflicted and guilt-ridden person.
Heart aching, as he felt bad for her, Ascalon struggled with himself before speaking, telling her, "A bit…sort of. Your mother was a psychopath and I have to say, I'm glad she's gone. She wrecked my ear, gave me breathing issues, and has haunted my every nightmare for the past six years. So, Iago trained under her? Is he the one that brought the witches and…"
"Risen. Those undead creatures are called the Risen. Their bites are pretty nasty."
"Wait, Risen? The kind from Thabe's Labyrinth? Or from Ylisse?" He asked, a million questions racing through his head. "Also, you've been bit before? When?"
Laughing bitterly, as she would if this were how she truly felt, she told him her 'tale', explaining, "They are probably from Thabe's Labyrinth, as the ones controlled by Grima would have been less feral. And here, look at my arms. They got me during the fight. I was trying to give you and Camilla some extra time to run but, well they're tough bastards. I'm sorry the one got through and bit you. I was too slow and couldn't reach them."
At a loss for words Ascalon watched as Jezebel rolled up her sleeves and showed him the grizzly wounds that adorned her arms, poorly taken care of and none of the puncture wounds sewed shut. To add they were infected, puss leaking from a couple of the holes that dotted her. She watched his pained expression, heart skipping a beat as he gently held her arms and examined the injuries, gold eyes squinting in regret and guilt. He was exactly where she wanted him and, continuing the act, she softly spoke again, sounding truly distraught.
"It's nothing too bad. I just…I feel bad for Camilla. She lost a lot and now she isn't even part of the Wyvern Troops. Father forbade her from going on missions. He put me in her place but, I did nothing at that battle. I couldn't save anyone. All I did was get hurt, scare those that I was trying to help, and fail. I don't deserve it."
"Jez, you for once did nothing wrong. You actually did something right, if all your saying is true. Look…it's not too late for you to change and not be like Sinistra. Tell me what you can about Iago and his plans and…I'll see what I can do to help you. Aside from patching up your arms." He told her, unsure about his words even after saying them.
Giving a shy and surprised smile she looked at him, letting a few tears run down her face, and replied with, "Okay. I'll try. He's strong though, stronger than my mother, and he's stupidly clever. He played me like a piano, taking what he wanted, and then tried to kill me when I finally spoke out against him. He might try and follow you to your next mission. You have to be careful."
"I will. Now let's get your arms patched up and you can tell me what you know." He told her, giving a warm and sweet smile.
Ascalon, surprised at all that was happening, helped the hopefully redeeming princess to her feet and walked with her to the library, stopping into the Med Bay to borrow a medical kit. Unknowing of her ulterior motives he spent the next few hours cleaning her wounds and learning everything he could about this veiled villain, and how slowly over the past years Jezebel had been discovering how little she meant to her mother. She spun her web around the young man, knowing her had a kind heart and wanted peace more than anything, using this flaw to dig her nails deep into his guilty conscious. At one point, after breaking down and crying to him that all she wanted was for someone to love her and that was why she did what her mother had commanded, she tore her metal claws off, distraught, and begged the wyvern knight to throw them in the fire. Claiming she wanted to start new, she handed them to him and watched with glee as he did as she asked, saying he was proud that she was trying to change. He even gave her a hug, which was awkward at first but soon grew to be comfortable, and then told her that the love from her mother was never real, politely explaining that that's what an abusive parent does.
Fishing out the needles and thread he sewed up the puncture wounds, once clean, and let her softly hold his arm as it hurt and stung. Kind and gentle, Ascalon fell deeper into the lies and talked her through her 'trauma' saddened when she spoke of how her mother constantly pitted the two sisters against one another and all of the times she couldn't sleep because it was kill or be killed. By the time he finished with sewing, as well as bandaging her arms, Jezebel held all of the cards, tricking him perfectly and grateful that her and Iago had come together for this plan.
She gently held his hands, rubbing a thumb over the callouses he had developed, and looked at Ascalon with wide but bright eyes, saying, "Thank you, for listening, for everything. I only hope I can live up to what you believe I can be. I'm sorry it took me this long though."
"Hey, you went through a lot and, while your sister got away, you didn't. I can't imagine what living with your mother was like, but I'm sure it was a nightmare. Besides, you're trying to change now, and you wouldn't have told me all of this if you weren't. Things won't be easy at first but…I'll be here to help. Just keep on this road and soon everything will get better." He reassured her, smiling brightly in the firelight.
"My sister is alive? Mom said she found her and killed her. She even pinned her eyes up in the hall."
"Yikes, and uh, no. She's okay. I can't say where she is but she made it out of Windmire alive. Gods, Sinistra really had issues."
"Tell me about it. Do you really think things will change?"
"Of course. Look at us; I despised you not too long ago and now we're laughing and alright. Although, I would appreciate it if you didn't steal anymore of my hair. That's creepy." He answered, chuckling at the end.
"I took it mostly for protection rituals. It's why my mother didn't catch you as often as she would have. I'll stop though…or just ask. Speaking of protection, did you want me to come with you guys tomorrow? I could help you keep an eye out for Iago. Also, the place you guys are going, it's dangerous as sin." She explained, feigning concern.
"I should be alright but thank you. Demon's Falls is dangerous, but I've gone on a few scouting missions there before. Besides, if you came with us Iago might try and kill you again and, I would hate it if you were redeeming yourself just to die before making it anywhere. Stay here and keep an eye on the others. Camilla is still hurting pretty bad and won't be able to fight too well if anyone came after her."
"Okay then, I'll do my best. And you do yours, alright? Please come back alive. A lot of people depend on you."
"I will Jez. Thank you for being honest. I'll let you all know when I'm back. Promise." He said, smiling still. Ascalon walked her back to her desolate home on the edge of the Royal Villas, giving her on last hug before bidding her a good night and heading off to his room in the Barracks.
Jezebel smiled dreamily as he left, lips curling as she knew her plan had succeeded. Still in the act, she stepped inside and went over to the figure in her kitchen, seeing only their silhouette until she lit the candle on the counter. Lounging on a stool, dark robes glimmering slightly, was Iago, coyly smiling at the princess as he could tell things were all going according to plan. Gracefully he stood up and went over to her, pushing stray locks of hair behind her ears in a loving manner, and softly patted her cheek.
"He bought the act dear?" He asked her sweetly.
"Ate it right up, as planned. Even better than planned actually. My sister lives, and I have him wrapped around my finger. He has a soft heart, and a weakness for people in need. We just need to trick him a little more, have him and Camilla fight a few more times, and then I swoop in to talk to him, make him feel better. Then I'll just slip him a forgetfulness potion and make him my king. Of course, we'll kill Garon soon too, as I'll earn his favor. Then, once I'm on the throne, you and I will run Nohr and change everything, with a dragon to back us no less." She told him smugly, laughing as she happily spun about and admired the bandages on her arms. Soon, the world would be hers, and she would prove her mother and sister wrong about everything. Pausing at the foot of the stairs she asked, "He will live through tomorrow, right?"
"My darling, of course he will. He's my gift to you for helping me. He may have a few injuries, but I need things to look like an accident. You understand, right?" Iago explained pleasantly, watching her expression lighten.
"Yes, and I'll be there to comfort him when he returns. Make sure you wear armor tomorrow. It'll be a big day for everyone."
[Demon's Falls, Nohr- Ascalon, Phier, Arcturus]
They had left early in the morning, just as the sun was rising, Wyvern Troops flying alongside the Cavalry. Ascalon, who had wanted to go and apologize to Camilla, never received the chance as he had overslept and rushed to get ready, dashing out the door of his small room and running to go prepare George. Now, as the mixed group of Wyvern Troops and Cavalry approached the ominously glowing landmark, he looked down as the bracelet he had been given almost ten years ago, feeling guilty as he remembered when Camilla had given it to him. Blue and gold beads reflected the sparse sunlight, sparkling brilliantly and bringing happy memories to mind.
Drawing his attention away, his mother told him to put on his mask, alerting everyone here that the air was dangerous if on inhaled too much of it. Arcturus, leading the soldiers on the ground, explained this as well, also mentioning that they were here because there were claims of monstrous masked creatures coming from the falls, joined by witches. These enemies, if they were here, were hard to hit, moved fast, and could teleport to an extent. Ascalon paid close attention to what both generals said, keeping in mind that Iago may also show up. He had warned his parents during the journey over, explaining as simply as he could how he came upon this knowledge. They were apprehensive, naturally, and only came around because they had both encountered Sinistra's supposed apprentice, telling their son about his powers and nodding as it made sense. He was talented in dark magic, cunning, and could cast long forgotten spells that many only dreamed of attempting. They had informed the troops that there was a possibility of this powerful mage showing up, telling their soldiers not to fight him but run instead, as he might be too strong for even the weathered troops.
Eerily the flames glowed, dancing on the water and creating an impassible border, even for most flying units. George handled the heat well but, as they neared, Ascalon found the other wyverns were struggling some. His eyes scanned the area, going over everything and searching for the dark mage and his minions. He found neither, reporting to his parents and nodding as they asked him to check the higher regions, as they could not safely do so. Giving a thumbs up he told George what they were going to do, reminding his friend to alert him if he found anything to be strange. Chuckling at his friend's sarcastic reply the pair carried on.
It was as the two found a tucked away cave, and the sounds from the others grew faint compared to the constant crackling of the flames, that something seemed wrong. An uncomfortable and sinking feeling began to weigh heavily on Ascalon, riling up his anxiety. Part of his mind was screaming he missed something, something important, but he could not figure out what it was. Only when it was too late did he realize he was isolated, almost like it was planned, and he turned his eyes from the cave to the others, finding that a battle had begun without him hearing it. Ready to speed over, Ascalon rose some in his saddle to properly pull out his lance, freezing when a chilling pain struck his back and stole all his energy and what felt like his life. Limp and unable to make a noise as he couldn't breathe, Ascalon slipped from his saddle, plummeting through the air and watching as George was attacked as well.
He heard his best friend's howl as the dark magic hit him too, watched as the indigo dragon fought through the pain to reach his boy. One was just too slow, the other too fast, and a bloodcurdling shriek tore out of the wyvern knight's throat as he crashed onto the treacherous ground, a sharp rock breaking through the armor and going through his side. Ascalon wailed only once more before coughing and falling into a fit, lungs seizing up as breathing became more and more of a chore. George worriedly landed in a half crouch over his person, crying and nudging him to get up, to move. He blew flames at the foul spellcaster, fending them off, but knew he couldn't leave to get help. In desperation he roared loudly, pitching the notes so as to alert someone they were in trouble.
One the lower parts of the field Phier and Arcturus fought on, trying so hard to keep their troops alive and watching in horror as these human-like beasts tore one after the other into shreds, using claws, teeth, weapons. This obvious trap was annihilating all that had been caught in its web, everyone struggling to run away to safety. The couple, now both on Athena's back as Phoebus had been turned to ash by a witch, saw distant movement in the corner of their eyes and watched together as their son fell, George being too late to catch him. His scream made it past the overwhelming noise about them, sending spikes of fear and dread straight into their hearts, only worsening as their son's dragon let out a scared cry for help.
"We have to go. They're not getting back up." Arcturus numbly told his wife, hands shaking with anger and worry.
Without a word she nodded, tight lipped, and snapped her mount's reigns. Swiftly they flew up and over, wyvern doing her best to handle the heat and understanding her masters concern, tilting aside to avoid stray flames that reached for them. After the next rise the group spotted the pair, eyes widening at the horrid sight, and then narrowing as they spotted the dark mage tormenting them from above. George, protectively leaning over his boy, growled at the hellish man and spat flames towards him, missing as he had the advantage. Ascalon was hidden underneath, gasping and coughing from his condition, but also the smoke. His mask was broken, as were probably a few other things, and he tried to calm himself enough to raise his body off the spike. Blood pooled around him, both from the wound in his side and a deep gouge running along the side of his head. Through a red veil of pain, he vaguely saw the pair on the wyvern. Coughing again he tried to call out to them, voice weak and drowned out by the surrounding noise.
Above in the air, Phier and Arcturus watch their child and, with one look, knew what to do. With a smile Arcturus kissed his wife, telling her how much he loved her, and prepared to get off Athena's back. The wyvern lord returned the gesture, telling him the same and adding that she would send George for him once she had their child. Then they split, her dropping him off and watching her brave man land literally onto of the dark mage with his sword and shield out, while she swooped down to the pair below. Leaping from her wyvern's back she rolled once and sprung back onto her feet, dashing over quickly and crouching by her son's side.
Agony was clear on his face, as well as exhaustion and unfiltered terror, and her heart twisted as he tried to reach out to her, coughing half way through and hacking up blood that mixed with his tears. Wheezing and weakly trying to pull himself free he gave a shrill yelp as he slipped, too stubborn to wait one moment as he knew, in the back of his pain drenched mind, that they needed to leave. Phier resisted crying as best as she could, lungs burning from the sickly air that was created by the perpetual flames, and soothingly cupped her child's face in her hands.
Voice shaking and betraying her, she told him, "Everything will be alright sweetie. You're going to be just fine. Loop your arms around my neck and hold on okay?"
He nodded, trying to focus on her, and did as his mother instructed even though it took a chunk of his energy to. Clamping his twitching hands together, Ascalon ground his teeth as Phier lifted him off the spike, failing himself as he couldn't keep from screaming again, as the pain was almost as bad as when he landed on it. Body convulsing from the removal of the spike, as it had been plugging the wound, the teen shook fiercely and then lost almost all mobility in his limbs, blood rapidly pouring from the gaping hole in his side. Unable to notice the movement coming from his mother, or the shouts that came from his father and Iago, the tired child lazily gazed at his dragon, world darkening around the edges. Moments later a new sensation, one that he did not like, renewed him and tore another cry from his raw throat, burning intensely and sealing the gnarly wound on his side. Before he could protest the same was done to the gouge on his head, extracting the same reaction from him.
Phier, knowing it was the best she could do as she was no medic, scooped her son into her arms, placing his lance back into its holster on George's saddle. She looked up at the fight raging on between Arcturus and Iago, sickened as her husband was knocked down and grazed by the same spell that had hit Ascalon. Heart beating fast and thundering in her chest, she changed her plan and set her child on the dragons back, strapping his limp form securely into the saddle. Stepping around to look George in the eye, she smiled softly, as she knew what she had to do, and pet the beautiful creature's head.
"Hey Georgie, I need your help. Ascalon is hurt, bad. I need you to fly him back to the castle and get him to safety, no matter what you hear behind you." She told him sweetly, eyes burning from the air and her tears. "Can you do that for me? Can you keep my precious boy safe?"
Moaning sadly, he nuzzled her, grateful for the hug she gave, and with a heavy heart took off, ignoring the weak and raspy calls that came from his back to turn around, stomach knotting as the calls turned into begging and pleading. George knew what was happening and didn't like it but did what was best. Down below Phier watched contently as the pair fled, along with a few of the surviving wyvern knights and cavalry. She turned away and whistled for Athena to come get her, climbing on and readying her weapon as they flew to join Arcturus, lashing out at the dark mage when they entered the fight. Sliding off her mount Phier stood with her husband, giving him a smile and kiss before lunging at the spellcaster.
"If we keep him busy just a bit longer, the survivors will make it out alright." She told him, dodging a blast of magic.
"And Ascalon?" Arcturus asked, grunting as his battered shield took the brunt of another blast.
"He's hurt, but I patched him up and sent him and George back. They'll make it. Georgie is much faster than wyverns and witches."
"Well then, my lovely captain, lead the way."
"Of course, my stunning man."
Later that day, back at Castle Krakenburg, many would soon mourn the loss of that many lives, weep as their friends and family either did not come back or did only to die in the arms of their loved ones. Ten of the forty soldiers sent out returned alive, guilt ridden and somber, unable to find the strength they needed. No one mourned as much as the youngest wyvern knight did, screaming at the top of his lungs for someone to help the last people to return, pleading and praying to anyone that would listen to his cries, ignoring his own grievous wounds to try and take care of the ones he loved most. But, like most things in the young man's life, they passed on unexpectedly, beds pushed together so they could hold hands while they entered the next life together. Healers and medics tried to restrain the distraught kid, failing as he lashed out and ran over to the pair, sobbing and crawling onto the bed, trying desperately to wake the dead. He collapsed between the two, exhausted and tearing his stitches, and asked the world why until everything faded to black, falling asleep for the last time between his parent's arms. He knew when he woke up, he'd be alone again, and chose to instead pretend things were alright. Just one more time.
I'm sorry guys. Please don't kill me. I swear this was as hard to write as it was to read. Thank you and until next time.