Hero: Longest chapter I've ever written, my god. I don't mean for just this fic, but even my Persona 4 Golden fanfic didn't have a chapter this long. Maybe 6000+ words during the Naoto arc, though the November arc may reach this limit. Anyway, yeah, this may take a while. I suggest you go do your business before starting this. Grab a drink or a snack; go the bathroom if you need to, because you're going to be here for the long haul. But I assure you this will be worth the read! I should mention that there will be mention of blood and such. If it's that gruesome to some people, I may bump this up to a M rating later on. I don't expect to do that very often. But hey, this is Fire Emblem; where epic tales and bloody battles should be expected. Anyway, from here on, expect a lot of fight scenes. So with that said, here it is, Ch. 4 of "Resolve of a Family", please enjoy!(And thank you all for 1000+ views! I really appreciate it!)
Chapter 4
During the next couple of weeks, more training was put in with Lon'qu. However, an incident occurred where Maribelle was captured by Plegia. After a heated debate, Gangrel declared war against Emmeryn and all of Ylisse, as he desired the Fire Emblem. The battle was arduous, especially when they had to reach, as well as protect Maribelle and Ricken as they fled Plegian territory. Orpheus was able to further improve his sword abilities; making him ready to start using Steel-forged weapons. He had Sumia support him as he felt she could help him reach areas quicker than Stahl could, who he had backing up his usual partner, Sully. After this sudden declaration of war, the group escorted Emmeryn back to her castle where they planned to regroup and consider their options. It was then that they were planning on what needed to be done. The plan was to seek out Regna Ferox again and mobilize their army to prepare for war against Plegia. They were to depart tomorrow.
Orpheus used this as the last chance to get some serious full-time practice of Velox. During the march, he trained with Frederick on learning Tutamen skills.
Lon'qu had offered him a second shinai along with the first one he usually lent to Orpheus. "Today, I'll continue the use of your dual-blade training regimen. Now, ready your stance!" Lon'qu instructed.
Orpheus stood proper, having both blades pointing in a downward diagonal position. It was a low-guard style, but Lon'qu did not mind. "Alright, I'm ready. Come at me!" Orpheus said after taking a deep, calming breath.
Lon'qu took a leap upwards and went for a strong dive attack from the get-go. Orpheus caught his weapon in a cross-guard block. "Typical, but well done." Lon'qu complimented. Orpheus guarding has improved, but he was still nowhere near the level of having a chance at survival with another weapon in hand. He pushed Lon'qu back with his blades and began a series of attacks. Slashing his way to break through Lon'qu's guard; he used both blades for offense, but when Lon'qu would get some attacks in, he would use his off-hand sword to block and his main-hand to retaliate. "Hmph, not half-bad." Lon'qu said as he took a leap back away from Orpheus. It gave Orpheus as smile, but he was not going to let the compliment sway him from his chance at a win. Lon'qu had always defeated Orpheus when it came to actual sparring sessions and he was not going to let these defeats grow any more. He charged in for one last assault. Lon'qu of course, took a defensive stance, readying to parry his attacks, but Orpheus jumped above him and did a clockwise spin attack from where he landed, but Lon'qu was quick to intercept. They both took a few steps apart from each other and Orpheus crossed his arms and swords going in for a double horizontal swing. Darting towards Lon'qu, the opponent jumped around him as he swung both his blades, taking a page from his recent tactic and kicked him onto the dirt. Lon'qu then poked Orpheus' back with his shinai and declared aloud, "Finished."
Disappointed by this, he got up and dusted his outfit. "Dang, and here I thought I had you this time."
"I will say, you have improved since our last true sparring session. I did not see your jump attack coming, but I have spent years honing my reflexes, so I was barely able to respond. If not for that, you would have your first win against me." Lon'qu admitted.
"Wow. Oh well, how about after lunch break, we resume our training?" Orpheus asked. "…except with me only using one shinai. You were right, using two instead of one does make things complicated."
"Of course, but the extra options make up for it, but you need to continue more training with the use of a single blade before adding another; it will make things slightly easier." Lon'qu advised as they headed back for lunch.
Afterwards, the two sparred for another two hours, before Lon'qu was assigned to guard Lissa. Orpheus went back into the Library in the castle to return the Multo book to Ricken, who was back to working there, and since he had went against orders, his punishment involved more cleaning of the library and other parts of the castle.
"Hey, Ricken. Still recovering from your punishments?" Orpheus greeted.
"Yeah, but it's nothing compared to what happened at the border." Ricken sighed. "I mean, I thought I was gonna die over there."
"But you didn't. If anything, you saved Maribelle, which is a good thing." Orpheus attempted at saying something comforting to Ricken.
"Of course, and that's why this punishment is nothing I can't handle!" Ricken said with a determined expression.
"Well, you go little hero. Anyway, here's the Multo book, but I'm still going to need to read on the other two I checked out."
"Oh that's fine. Lemme just put this back where it belongs." Ricken said as he got up to put the Multo book away.
"Okay, well, I gotta get going, so I'll see you tomorrow on the march." Orpheus said as he parted with Ricken.
"Oh wait! I wanted to say something real quick." Ricken said as he stopped Orpheus.
"What is it?" Orpheus said as he turned around.
"...Thanks for helping me sneak into the convoy. I wouldn't have been able to march my way to the border by myself."
"No problem. I'm always up for helping my odds of winning even if it considered a bit… against the rules." Orpheus said with a smirk. "Anyway, I gotta go. Later. Ricken."
"Okay! See you later, Orpheus." Ricken said as he went back to his duties. Orpheus actually was the one who helped sneak Ricken, even making Frederick not aware of it by Orpheus himself offering to keep track of the Convoy. Despite Ricken's punishments, he was to be allowed to travel with the Shepherds thanks the ever-persistent tactician that befriended him.
The Tactician went off to speak to Stahl, but bumped into yet another woman. It seemed to be Pegasus Knight given the style and shape of her armor. This seemed to be a recurring thing now. But as he looked at her, she looked very stunning. Her hair was long; really long, long enough to be a child's blanket. It was also a bright, passionate red. However, likely clumsy just like Sumia, it seems.
"Ah, excuse me." The red-headed Pegasus Knight apologized. "I had my mind on someo- er, I mean something else."
"No, it's my fault since I was the one who actually hit you." Orpheus surprisingly said an authentic apology. "I knew where I was going but I had my mind on something."
"If you say so. Now if you'll excuse me, I must make my leave." The woman bowed politely and exited.
"...Damn, is attractiveness a requirement to be a Pegasus Knight?" Orpheus said to himself.
"What about being a Pegasus Knight?" Sumia then walked in, causing Orpheus to jump a step back.
"S-Sumia!" Orpheus said in surprise. This can only end well. "Um, how much did you hear?"
"I… just heard the Pegasus Knight part. I was going to return some books since we're setting off soon."
"Oh thank the gods." Orpheus gave a sigh of relief.
"Why?"
"Oh, nothing!" Orpheus then clamped his mouth up. "I just bumped into one. She had long red hair, but that was my fault."
"Oh no, is my clumsiness rubbing off on you?" Sumia then began to go down that path again.
"No! It was my fault 'cause I was thinking of something!"
"Oh, I see. But now that you mention the red hair, did she have little white wings on her hair?" Sumia asked.
"Um, I think so, but I didn't pay her too much mind." Orpheus lied. "She just had very long red hair, that's all I can remember easily."
"Then you might have met my friend Cordelia!" Sumia smiled upon saying her name.
"Cordelia? She a friend of yours?"
"Yes! She was one of the first friends I ever made when I joined. We joined around the same time, but she's in a league of her own. She's overseeing the border, but I guess she returned here for a status update." Sumia went on. "Her and I went through a lot, but we've come so far since the tough first days of training!"
"Was it that hard to ride or something?" Orpheus asked with a hint of snark in his tone.
"No it was just… the more experienced Pegasus Knights liked to pick on us." Sumia forced the words out of her mouth. "We easily were able to tame and befriend our Pegasi, but the others picked on us after that. Some were… harsher than others."
"I… see." Orpheus was shocked to hear that even the Pegasus Knights could actually do bad things. It's not uncommon for armies to have these kinds of people, but in there of all places was shocking for Orpheus to hear. "Is it bad that I want to know what they did?"
"No, I mean it's all in the past." Sumia tried to smile. "All they really did was say I wasn't all that great, that I should quit, hide my stuff, and sometimes pull my hair. But it wasn't that bad."
"That bad!? Sumia, that's bullying! No, that's gods damn abuse! How did you let them do that to you?"
"I-it was? I was told it was how all recruits got welcomed. It was to toughen me up..." Sumia looked on the ground with her emotions controlling her again.
"And they did this to both you and your friend?"
"Yeah, but she always defended me." Sumia struggled smiling on the good times of her past. "But do you see these little wings in my hair?" Sumia then pointed to the pinkish colored wings on her head. "Cordelia made these for me to cheer us up through those times and I made her those little white wings to return the favor! It marked us as being best friends forever."
"...Wow. Hey Sumia… I think I understand a lot more about you and how you are." Orpheus admitted aloud.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing. I think I understand why you're so hard on yourself now." Orpheus said with an honest mind. "Anyway, I'm heading off to talk to Stahl about something. I'll speak to you another time."
"Oh; well, I'll speak to you soon." Sumia nodded and went on her way.
Orpheus took some steps and when she was for sure out of hearing range, he muttered to himself. "I can tell you put up a smile to hide that suffering. I'll see to it that you make it through this war alive. I promise that."
Orpheus smiled at himself. He couldn't believe he was saying that. He didn't peg himself for a caring person. He only kept them alive so they could be used for another battle. This was the first time he wanted to keep someone alive for personal reasons.
The sun had nearly set and he found Stahl in the barracks. Stahl could tell what something was on his mind and Orpheus told him what he heard from Sumia.
"Wow, that's… surprising. I thought all Pegasus Knights were very caring." Stahl said in astonishment. "I mean, we all have to push newcomers to get stronger, but we Cavaliers don't bully them for our amusement or jealousy."
"I know…" Orpheus gossiped. "But yeah, I should probably stop being so harsh on the girl. I think how she acts is but a mental scar from all the insults."
"Yeah, I hear they start training for that at an early age."
"How early?"
"Well… I think because Pegasi are harder to ride and tame than normal horses, they start as early as 12?"
"Wait, what!? But that's still a child's age!" Orpheus objected after hearing that.
"Yeah, blame Chrom's dad. He invoked those rules in the past. I was still a kid when that happened, but normally that doesn't happen till they are at least 15, but I was 3 before his death. They changed a lot of mounted soldiers' ages, not just the Pegasus Knights, but after the war, most were bumped back up to the adult age after Chrom's dad died."
"His dad? He never told me about his parents." Orpheus trailed. "Now that I think about it… I haven't seen nor heard of them."
"It's not my place to say everything. You'd have to ask Chrom yourself about his dad." Stahl sighed. "But there was a war long before you came around. So lots of people got recruited. But they never changed the Pegasus Knight rule."
"Why? It's inhumane!" Orpheus continued to let his irritation get to him.
"I've only heard this, but there's a lot of internal strife with the Pegasus Knights. Some like Lady Phila want to get rid of this rule and bump it back up to 15, the age where most people are considered adults. But some argue that since this new rule, they've had better Knights than ever before. It's a tough and sensitive issue. Even Emmeryn can't just force it out that easily. The majority of the Knights have to agree to it as well."
"That's so… terrible." Orpheus said spitefully. "I'm gonna go find Chrom. I want to know all about this war and his father."
"I see. Sorry about all that."
"No Stahl, you're fine. It's good I learned this now than later." Orpheus said as he got up from his chair. "I'll see you later." Orpheus then headed out to find Chrom. Here he thought that this place was actually a great nation, but it did indeed have its dark sides. But now he's starting to see why Gangrel was so demanding of a war. To return the favor.
Chrom was spotted giving a sigh in the garden and Orpheus immediately approached him.
"Chrom!"
"Oh, Orpheus. Something the matter?"
"What brings you out here so late?" Orpheus asked.
"Oh, just… dueling with some unpleasant thoughts." Chrom answered with another sigh.
"Let me guess… it involves what Gangrel said and your father's actions." Orpheus then pointed out
Chrom's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know?"
"Stahl shared some of Ylisse's dark past. It explains why poor Sumia is why the way she is." Orpheus' expression grew irritated as he mentioned her. "He wouldn't mention any more about your father. He said you should say it."
"...I see. That does make sense. Very well, I'll tell you the truth. You should know since you are now one of us." Chrom said. Orpheus only nodded, as if satisfied with how easy this went. "The last Exalt, my father, waged war against Plegia for many years. It only ended due to his death fifteen years ago, when I was only Four years old and Lissa was barely born."
"And why did he want to have war with Plegia?"
"I… do not know. Emm does not like to speak of it, but all I heard was that it involved a grudge with some of the people of Plegia."
"And here I had hoped this man had a shred of dignity in him. I guess not." Orpheus shrugged with Chrom nodding in agreement surprisingly. "So I take it Gangrel and the Plegians did not plan to forget this?"
"They haven't and rightfully so. But this was also nothing good for our people as well. As the fighting continued, our army dissolved into nearly nothingness. Farmers who could barely wield a pitchfork were sent off to their deaths. Some who weren't even full-fledged adults were also sent into battle. I could remember the crying of a child being forced away from her mother and father." Chrom's face only looked worse as the memories returned to him. Food began to grow scarce because of that, and the kingdom nearly declared Anarchy.
Orpheus only nodded as he let Chrom continue. He was trying to not let his opinions get in the way this time.
"I was only Four, but I remember those dark times all too well. ...I know how they affected Emmeryn." Chrom then looked off into the top of the castle; presumably where Emmeryn was. Our Father died before she became Ten years old, but she was left with quite a legacy." Chrom detailed. "Plegia's desire for vengeance… Our own people's unbridled rage. My sister was turned into the world's biggest scapegoat!" Chrom's tone grew worse. "Her own subjects tossed insults… and stones. She still bears a scar from one. But no one saw her pain. Only Lissa and I."
"Damned hypocrites!" Orpheus irritation began reaching its point. "Why do they act like she's the greatest thing now if they hated her back then? They don't deserve her care with the way they treated her before. Are they so desperate not to blame the man who originally started all this?"
"Peace, Orpheus. I cannot claim to know how she does it. I could never greet such hostility with warmth and patience." Chrom said as he placed his hand on Orpheus' shoulder. "It's as I've heard once, 'it's easier to blame a living person rather than a dead man.' While our people mocked and vilified her, she did her best to reach out to and heal them. She brought soldiers home to their families. She ended the war. And then the people's spirits were healed and they 'forgave' her; she never resented them for it."
"That part still bothers me." Orpheus commented.
"But she represents the best of the halidom- the part worth most protecting. She IS peace." Chrom's heart rang true, but his face grew bothered again. "But some men like Gangrel use and abuse that fact. The day he understands peace is the day death gives it to him."
"Then it'll be my job to be sure he sees that day." Orpheus declared.
"Same here, friend." Chrom gave a lighthearted laugh. "Emm would never ordered him killed, nor would I wish her too."
"Well spoken, sir." That feminine like voice interrupted as its owner appeared. Orpheus immediately recognized it and put his hand on his blade, readying to fight him again.
"Marth…" both Orpheus and Chrom said his name aloud.
"Good evening to you." Marth greeted Chrom and then looked at Orpheus. "...and to you too, as well."
"How did you get in here?" Orpheus questioned. "Don't think I forgot about our battle."
"Of course I haven't. I couldn't forget you." Marth responded somewhat coldly. "I went in through a cleft in the castle wall, behind the maple grove."
"What!? But how did you…?" Orpheus looked puzzled at Chrom. "It's only a small hole, and I thought it was well concealed…"
"Your secret is safe with me. I come here only to warn you."
"Warn us?"
"The Exalt's life is in danger." Marth stated with Chrom and Orpheus both surprised to hear such a bold claim.
"What, Emmeryn? That's absurd. She's guarded at all hours."
"What if…" Marth hesitated for a moment. "What if I told you I have seen the future? Would you believe me? A future where Emmeryn is killed here. Tonight."
"I… don't think anyone would believe that. Least of all, me." Orpheus remarked, but Marth ignored him.
"I expected you wouldn't believe me… So allow me to prove it!" Marth then unsheathed his blade, Orpheus followed suit, readying to settle the score, while Chrom had his hand on his blade, hesitant on what to do. "I'm about to save your life…" Marth looked at Orpheus and then looked the opposite way, towards the bushes behind the masked warrior. "...From him." As he finished her sentence, an assassin leaped from the bushes. Marth threw his blade in the air, then jumped up and out of the way of the attacker. He grabbed his blade and descended rapidly with a slash that ended him quickly. "I trust this proof will suffice?" Marth asked with Chrom only nodding in response. However, another assassin came out; catching Marth off guard, he tried to step away, but he stumbled upon the first one's sword, causing him to nearly trip. The assassin was able to cut through his mask, turning into two clean cut pieces. The shocking part was that his hair grew to the length of a girls. Chrom had charged in and took out the other assassin with one fatal strike.
"Wait, you're- You're a woman?"
"And quite the actress too." The now woman Marth sassily responded. "Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't figure it out until now." The conversation was cut short as an explosion could be heard within the castle. The three went to where Emmeryn's room was. Most of the Shepherds were alerted by the explosion and ready to defend the Exalt.
"Milord! I am glad you are safe!" Frederick thanked the gods for Chrom being out of harm's way.
"Nevermind me Frederick, where's Captain Phila and her unit?" Chrom asked with worry.
"It seems there are flying attackers at the borders of Ylisstol, she went to fend them off."
"Gods, this was all an elaborate trap to kill Emm!" Chrom had pieced together what was going on. Things were not looking good for him and his family
"I beg your pardon, milord?" Frederick asked with widened eyes.
"Listen to me, Shepherds!" Chrom called the attention of his unit. "This is all a plan to kill Emm. We need to repel the intruders. We don't know if they are Plegian or not, but do not let a single one near the air she breathes!"
"Alright, here's the plan. Kellam will guard the middle staircase, while Lon'qu and Lissa then work their way through and quickly take out any magic users as his support. Vaike will protect Maribelle while she keeps everyone's health in check. Marth has agreed to guard Emmeryn's room from the middle to left side. Chrom will go through the right side and deal with the Fighters. Sully will go on her own from the left, mowing down anyone in her way and rendezvous with Chrom. Stahl, Sumia and I will act as the wall from the right side, being the last line of defense from us to Emmeryn." Orpheus had finished explaining as quickly as he could. The enemy wasn't going to just wait for him and his group to get ready. They had a clear intention and this group needed a simple plan and a resolve to protect the Exalt. "I see no one has questions, so let's get going. I'll give new orders once we've mopped most of these fools up and we gather again. Now get to your positions! We have an Exalt to save!
"Yes, sir!" The group agreed and took to positions.
"Everyone else, take to the front of the castle. These guys maybe coming from the back door, but that doesn't mean they're only going in through just that side."
The team took to their positions and began to fend them off as best they could. Lon'qu would pass over Kellam and eliminate any mages that would get near the stairs then move back for Lissa to keep him and Kellam energized and healthy. Vaike was being a non clumsy Vaike. He would handle other Axe users with Sully literally charging through those unfortunately in her sights.
Chrom was able to recruit a thief named Gaius and he was put behind Orpheus to give some support. Stahl, Sumia, and Orpheus did their job of repelling all who got closest to Emmeryn, not letting them past and they rarely broke formation, with Sumia going off to take out the Dark Mages, since their magic could not come close to hitting her.
"Orpheus!" The female knight called out to her Tactician, warning him of another mage that passed her by, trying to take him down.
Stahl went after the mage before he could get his magic ready, piercing him with his sword. "Made it!" This however, made things go worse. Stahl was out of the way and as a result, two fighters tried to break through. Gaius and Orpheus stopped one, but the other was reaching Emmeryn's room.
"OH GODS NO!" Orpheus' emotions rushed into the danger zone. He pulled out his Thunder Tome, hoping to at least stun him with it. But as if fate were to see his troubles nearly become a reality, a large figure crashed on the potential killer, claws already pierced into his chest as well it being crushed. The figure's form diminished to a point where it was human-sized.
"I knew there was wisdom in slipping in with those rogues." The now female-shaped figure said to herself. Orpheus' head drooped, luck was with him for the moment. He took a large sigh of relief and gave a new order. "Gaius, go with that woman and go to the other side where Marth is. We have this side, but that other spot may be open if Vaike and Lon'qu can't take everyone out."
"Got it. I need extra candy though."
"Sure, just go do it." Orpheus agreed as he gave him a grape flavored lollipop he got from Lissa earlier that day. "Consider that a down payment."
"Deal." The thief smirked and went on his way.
Sumia and Stahl had moved back into position. Normally, Sumia was allowed according to Orpheus due to the mages attacking from distances. "Orpheus, are you alright? I'm sorry for going against orders."
"Yeah, I'm sorry too. I just got so focused on protecting you, I broke orders as well." Stahl joined in.
"Enough of the pity party. We lucked out and you guys did fine. Now let's get back into position and hold the line." Orpheus nearly shrugged of their sincere apologies with almost no respect for their emotions. Sumia was fine with it since she doesn't like angering people, and Stahl just went with the flow as usual, though he had some unease hearing that.
The majority of the foes were being handled on the left side of the castle, but an impatient and displeased leader of this attack, Validar, did not like where this was going.
"Grah! They had one job and they blew it! Must I do everything myself!?" The Sorcerer whined aloud as he began to move where there was the least commotion.
"That's nearly all of the-" Chrom's words were cut off by what he saw. A lone figure on the opposite side. It was no ordinary Dark mage, that much he could tell. He was menacing. He looked intimidating. He looked like a Harbinger of Death. "Sully! We need to hurry to the other side!"
"Got'cha covered, Captain." Sully nodded as she was ready to have Chrom aboard her horse and dash to the other side of the castle. But the last of the attackers blocked the area.
"We ain't gonna let ya get in the Master's way." One of the fighters said.
"To hell with you all, get out of our way!" Sully and Chrom said together.
Back with Orpheus, things were quiet. But the figure had approached him and his group.
"At last, I found you. Now be a good boy and stay out of my way."
"What are you, my dad? I'll kill you the same as the others." Orpheus mocked the Sorcerer, giving the man a cocky look.
"Foolish boy, you have no idea of what you're up against." Validar warned no more.
"I'll handle this. You two take him on if I fail." Orpheus said as he pulled out his Iron Sword and began to approach the Menace. "Stick to the formation no matter what. I want you all to live another battle." The two's determined faces nodded at him and kept an eye on Validar.
"You mages are all the same. Put up against an actual weapon user, and you fall like dominoes." Orpheus taunted, hoping to force a dropping of guard.
"You may have a point, boy." Validar snickered. "But you've never met a Master of the Dark Arts, haven't you? Or a user for that matter?"
"No, but it won't matter, you're fate was sealed the moment you arrived here. I'm the closest thing between you and Emmeryn, and you aren't going to be leaving this room alive."
"Good to know that I'm going the right way. Prepare to meet your destiny!" Validar proclaimed as he reached for a Elwind Tome. "Come to me, Orpheus!"
"If you want to die so badly, you only should have asked!" Orpheus insisted as he charged at him, not caring on how he knew his name. Orpheus went for a diagonal slice, but Validar was not scared, he only let his right arm go up to where the blade would fall. As the blade began to descend, Orpheus expected a loss of his hand and plenty of blood, but he got nothing. Nothing but a sudden stop of his blade's velocity. The sword was caught in the Sorcerer's hands, but it did not cut it.
"Ha! Did you really expect me to fall so easily!?" The man laughed. "I am but a Master of the Dark Arts! We Dark Mages train ourselves to control what we fear. Your strength cannot help you either! I will simply stop you with ease!" He was right. His blade could not go any farther. It was levitating slightly off of Validar's hand, staying still. "Give up, boy! My power is too much for you and your little friends to handle!"
"Like hell we will!" Orpheus pulled his weapon back, moving to the side, but Validar used an Elwind, forcing Orpheus to move again; but that Elwind, slow as it was cut a Pillar near them, causing it to fall. If it wasn't for the other pillars still being intact, this whole castle would be one big pile of rubble.
But to Orpheus, it was intended to miss. It was meant to show just how much power this man had. He was not to be trifled with. Mastering the power of Intimidation can make even the smallest army an empire's worst nightmare. Orpheus needed to stop this man.
His attacks grew desperate, but Validar continued to simply either move out of the way, catch the blade so Orpheus would have to move back, or simply repel it and Orpheus away. Validar was playing with him. Even with his studies of the blade, it did not mean a thing to this Sorcerer. His power was unimaginable.
Sumia and Stahl were witnessing his struggle. They could feel the despair from where they were. Sumia wanted to rush in and offer Orpheus support, but Stahl insisted that they stay where they are.
Orpheus went in for a stab, which Validar merely blocked, but Orpheus did not plan to back away, he only put more strength in, testing the truth of his words. Validar's arm began shaking, implying he was starting to have trouble. He moved his other hand to help support it. Orpheus attempted to seize the chance, making a final effort to push through and get the damage he needed to succeed. Validar also attempted to repel Orpheus away, as he moved the blade and pushed it upward, moving Orpheus away. Gathering his energy, he used Elwind not to kill Orpheus, but to push him far away so he could hurry on and complete his mission. Orpheus was launched about 50 yards away and landed on his back, writhing in pain.
Emmeryn could see him, despite being far from the fight. She went to the other side from her room and looked for something in a chest.
Orpheus was struggling not to lose consciousness. He could faintly hear the calls of his friends, but they could barely reach him.
"...Sumia…! We… to attack… now...! Orpheus…. danger...!" The words were likely Stahl's in Orpheus' mind.
"Let's go…! For Ylisse…!" The two charged after Validar. Sumia using an Iron Lance and Stahl with an Iron Sword. Orpheus lifted his head up as his senses returned to him to see the two going after the Sorcerer.
"No, don't...!"
"You will pay for interfering in my designs!" Validar said as he put his Elwind away for a Elfire. Orpheus saw and realized how this would turn out.
"Stop! I order you two to fall back! Don't do it...!" Orphus screamed out his orders, but they continued on, unable to hear him and his weakened voice. The time it took to ready his magic was near instantaneous. Sumia and Stahl went in for a dual-strike, hoping at least one of them would finish him.
"This is all written!" Validar shouted aloud as an explosion appeared in front of his two new victims, sending them and their horses flying away.
"STAHL! SUMIA!" Orpheus shouted at the top of his lungs as they impacted the floor. Stahl's Iron Sword flew and landed near Orpheus as he was struggling to get up.
"Fool! I warned you not to get in my way! Now your friends have paid the price, along with your favorite little wench of an Exalt! Ahahaha!" Validar cackled.
"I can't let it end here…" Orpheus struggled to even get on a knee
"Orpheus!" Chrom called out as he and Sully rode their way near his location.
"Tch. Pests, I'll deal with you later!" Validar frowned as he used his Elfire to block the only way in.
"Damn you!" Chrom shouted.
Things were not looking good for Orpheus. His only shot at support was now separated. It would take too long before he could come from the other side. Emmeryn would be dead and him as well. His magic was terrible, so that was out of the picture. His stamina was running out as he could barely stand; he was out of tricks and plans. He could at least stall Validar for about five more seconds, but that wouldn't help. It felt to him that it was over. He was too lose his first battle, and a very important battle at that. His resentment for Validar was high, but there wasn't much he could do with it.
And suddenly, a light enveloped him. He could feel his pain escape him and his energy return to him. He looked around and saw Emmeryn, with a Physic Staff, shining. "Please, do not die for me." The extravagant Exalt said. Orpheus turned around and grabbed his blade, along with his fallen friend Stahl's blade and moved them in an "X" pattern, with his face showing hatred for Validar. He did not want to see his newfound friends suffer like that, and he wanted Validar to feel every bit from it with interest.
Orpheus began to walk with heavy footsteps as he approached Validar, separating his blades into a downward guard, with the metal crossing each other making a screech loud enough to echo through the hall. Shocked of his recovery, he quickly put away his Elfire Tome to not kill Orpheus and got his Elwind again, shooting a quick gust of wind. Orpheus continued his pace, knocking the hardly charged up gust out of his path with his blade. Validar tried again, sending another one; but Orpheus cut that with both blades, fizzling it out of existence with his pace getting faster. Validar began growing uneasy, "Is the power awakening…?!" he muttered as he used the wind to get a piece of a pillar that he broke off and sent it off to Orpheus, ignoring his safety this time. Orpheus' walking went to dashing as the pace went to sprinting and jumped on the moving pillar, then leaping off of it after Validar. The Sorcerer sidestepped, barely able to repel his opponent's blade, but he dropped his Elwind tome from Orpheus's swinging of his blade, forcing the Dark Mage to backstep away from the fire and the Tactician, but Orpheus' fury only kept growing, intending to end Validar's life here and now.
Orpheus attacks forced Validar on the defensive, but their swings grew harder to keep up with. Not only were they faster, but they were more aggressive due to the raw emotion put in them. Orpheus' off-hand sword that belonged to Stahl, was caught by Validar's hand, but this time not magic, but of by flesh. Orpheus found a loophole in his strategy. The magic was around the palm area, but not the wrist, which the blade was stuck on, and anywhere below it were not covered. Validar screeched in pain, but it was music to Orpheus as he let the blade dig all the way through, dismembering his right hand.
"That, was for Stahl…!" Orpheus said with a clear vengeful tone.
"AAAGGHHH! YOU ARROGANT CHILD! I'LL KILL YOU!" Validar's shrieks were but empty threats to the animosity that was Orpheus right now.
"And this…" Orpheus said as he kicked Validar away and began another barrage. "...Is for Sumia...!" His blades now continued his talking as he readied them to finish off Validar. He began with a diagonal strike with one blade at a time going downward left. Validar used his last hand to block them, but was clearly losing his focus. Orpheus did not rest as he put his blades near each other for a downward right twin strike, moving Validar's arm far away from his body, leaving it open, but he repeated the strikes. His blades went in a downward left strike, with one blade falling after the other. Validar was barely able to recover from the recoil of the last attack to move them away, but Orpheus went for yet another twin strike of the same direction, but it had more of a knock-back effect than the last one. Orpheus moved his arms in a circle pattern and ended the battle with two slashes above Validar's waist. Validar grunted in pain, eyes twitching as he took a step back and was flabbergasted.
"No… this is all wrong… how could... you have known of the plan…!?" Validar asked as he turned around and saw Emmeryn there, with an astonished face, with Marth there by her side with her blade ready for anything. "I see now…" Validar felt his question was answered. His energy had left him and he fell on his knees "So close…!" Validar's remaining hand went up, pointing towards Emmeryn, in a grip like pose, possibly fantasizing of her death literally by his hand.
Orpheus dropped Stahl's blade and approached the kneeling Validar from behind. He readied it for the fatal strike, pointing it up in a vertical position.
"That's as close as you get!" Orpheus stated as his blade dropped down and slashed through Validar's back, ending his fading life quicker. The body fell with what felt like a huge impact of worry and fear dying with it. Orpheus put away his blade and then approached his two comrades, checking to see if they were dead or alive. "Lady Emmeryn, please use the staff you used on me for these two! I think they're still alive!"
Emmeryn snapped back into reality. She was still entranced by the fact she survived. "Yes, at once!" She used her Physic staff on Stahl first, since it could only concentrate on one person at a time.
"Marth, stay with her just in case there is anyone else still around."
"Yes, of course." Marth agreed as she stayed ever-vigilant.
"Sir Orpheus! I'm here!" Maribelle had arrived with Vaike and rushed over to Sumia's body. "Lord Chrom informed me of these two. I'll focus on Sumia since the Exalt is helping Stahl."
"Yes, please, just keep these two alive. That's all I ask for."
"C'mon, lighten up. They'll be fine, the Vaike can guarantee it!" Vaike said in a poor attempt to cheer Orpheus up.
"Vaike, you make a terrible motivator, y'know that?"
"Ah, come on! I try at least! Plus, you aren't any better!"
"I suppose you got me there." Orpheus barely smiled after hearing that. "Do you think we can move them to the treatment area? There are better places to be fixed up then on the ground."
"Yes. Can you and Vaike carry Stahl? I'll have some ladies carry Sumia. And as for their animal companions, I think Sully can take them to be treated."
"Orpheus!" Speaking of the powerhouse, she had just arrived with Chrom. "Ya still hanging in there?"
"I'll live, but these guys aren't so fortunate."
"Aw crap!" Sully looked to see her fallen Comrades. "Don't you two dare think of dying on me! We're friends!"
"Sully, can you please help get their partners moved to their stables? They need just as much support and care as their riders." Maribelle asked.
"I'll do it as long as you see these two safe. I'll round up the rest of the Cavaliers to get these guys cared for." Sully said as she began to inspect the condition of the Pegasus and Horse.
Stahl was carried by Vaike and Orpheus to a medical room. Meanwhile, Phila arrived and helped carry Sumia on her own to the room as well. There were others who had their fair share of injuries too, so Stahl and Sumia were put in the same room in different beds. Maribelle tended to the Cavalier, while Lissa tended to her Pegasus Knight friend.
"If only I anticipated their attack. Lady Emm and my own Pegasus Knight wouldn't have been put in such risk." The Captain, Phila blamed herself.
"Sumia has already been through enough pain as it is, now this…" Orpheus muttered to himself.
"Pain? Did something happen to her?" Phila overheard. "Answer me, Tactician! Just what are you talking about?"
"Something she's been dealing with in the past few years. I have a lot to pick with you and your unit, but now's not the time for that. Plus, I'm tired and need someone to treat me. That Physic from Emmeryn was only a temporary thing." Orpheus had attempted to blow the situation, but Phila wanted to know.
"Orpheus, I order you to speak of this, I need to know. Tell me, now."
"Lady Phila. Orpheus. Please take this outside. This is the treatment area. Show your respect or else I'll have to resort to asking Sully to dealing with you."
"Ah, my apologies, Lady Maribelle." Phila bowed. "Please Orpheus, let's take this outside."
Orpheus sighed and raised his arms up, letting his head shake in discontent. "Very well, let's go. Don't keep me too long since I am technically part of the injured."
"Of course." Phila nodded as they left and got out of the medical area.
Orpheus went over the story from the beginning, starting when he bumped into the red-hair knight and Sumia afterword.
"Oh, you mean Cordelia then? She's the only one with red hair in our unit."
"Yes, her. I was told by Sumia about her and their backstory." Orpheus said as he explained the origins of their friendship.
"I was told of that by Sumia, but it doesn't explain what this has to do with the 'pain' you spoke of." Phila's tone grew more irritated. Not by much however.
"I'm getting to that." Orpheus pointed out. "I'm warning you now, here's where I'm going to likely lose my composure."
"If that's what it takes... Very well."
"Apparently, they were both picked on very harshly in their first years of training. Because of how good they were. Now, I don't know how you train your sisters, but I expect at least every unit in the army to at least show respect in their groups. It infuriates me to see that it's because of your soldiers that Sumia suffered the way she did. I understand entirely why she is so hard on herself and why she tries so hard for attention. She wants to make the friends she couldn't make in her time as a trainee. She wants to be as strong as she aspired to be in her beginning as a Pegasus Knight. But their insipid poison for words had shot her down. Harder than any arrow an Archer can shoot."
"I…"
"Lady Phila, I don't doubt you and suspect you of approving it. But if this went on for years, how did it slip past you for so long!? What if others were verbally abused just like this?" His tone grew heavier and louder. "I may be a sarcastic and unsympathetic person who sees my comrades as just soldiers and nothing more, but I would never use my words to push them to that far." Orpheus took deep breath after speaking. It was a mouthful after all. He sighed before speaking again. "...Look. All I ask is that you make sure none of this happens again. It's up to you and me to fix as much of this as possible."
"Orpheus, I understand your plight. But since I don't know who had done it, I promise to do what little I can; to assist you in helping Sumia and Cordelia with this. I had remembered being shining with positivity and eagerness. But it changed to anxiety and self-consciousness, and I never knew why… this is my responsibility as Captain of the Pegasus Knights. However, since I'm to leave with you all to guard the Exalt, I'll only be able send a letter to the Pegasus Knights expressing my concerns about this matter for now."
"That's fine. Once this war is over, we should see to this. I'll likely check up on all other groups in case this is not just a small thing."
"Indeed. It's not uncommon for this to happen in armies, but it's my job as a Captain to see to it that my fellow Knights are safe from all kinds of harm. Especially from our very own men and women."
"Alright, well thank you for understanding. I need to go back and see to my own treatments."
"Yes and I need to go back and check up on the Exalt again. If you'll excuse me." Phila bowed and left.
"Well, that was easier than I expected." Orpheus said to himself once she left. "And here I was expecting a pride argument on how they couldn't be bad. Oh well."
Orpheus walked back to Sumia and Stahl's room with a slow pace. It was then that a figure appeared in front of him.
"Marth."
"Tactician." It was her again.
"What brings you all the way here? You look like you were coming out of Sumia and Stahl's room?"
"Well, she reminded me of a person I hold dear."
"Ah, I see. Fair enough."
"Anyway, I was just on my way out. If you'll excuse me." She continued to move, walking past him.
"Wait. There's something I need to ask you."
"...Very well. I'll answer only one question, so make it count." Marth stopped to hear him out, but kept her back at him.
"Thank you." Orpheus said with a sigh of relief, if you could call it that. "So… back in our battle at the Arena, did you try to kill me?" Marth's eyes glared to the right, she couldn't see him, but she didn't like where this was going already. "I'm no expert on Killer Instinct, but I've had enough people come at my life to tell at least when someone is trying to rub me out. Despite knowing all those rules not to kill another combatant, did you still intend to go through with that? And if so, why? What did I do to you in the past I cannot remember?"
"That counts as two questions I'm afraid to say." Marth said as she had placed her hand on her sword, readying to draw it out. "Are you sure you wish to accuse me of something of such a great caliber?"
"I'm certain. You are the very reason I've been training, y'know. If I'd been right, at least I've gotten better to hold my own if you really did come out for my life again. And if I'm wrong, oh well, I got stronger for this army's sake."
"So you've thought of all possibilities, then?"
"Yes, I have."
"Hmmm... maybe."
"Maybe?"
"Maybe I did go after your life, or maybe you're overthinking."
"So you don't intend to answer me then?"
"I said I would answer one question, and I did."
"Well, this would be the part where I force it out of you…"
"And this would be my part where we confirm if your theory is true or not."
"But… I won't fight you now. Out of respect for what you did for Chrom and Emmeryn, I won't fight you now. But pray we meet again alone, then I would most certainly like to get the answer out of you. No matter what it takes."
"A wise choice."
"Wise? Because I'm actually showing consideration for my comrades?"
"Let's go with that. Now then, I must leave. I've done enough here already."
"If you say so. Leave; before I change my mind… And in case, my theory of me harming you in the memories I cannot remember is true, then I'm sorry, but there's not much I can do about it now." After he said that, she left. She did not say a word, only her footsteps would make any sound. She did not even acknowledge his parting words. Afterwards with much expected disdain, he went to check up on his condition. He needed some rest for at least a day and Chrom arrived afterwards, saying that the plan to leave would have to wait another day for the sake of the Shepherds needing the rest, Sumia and Stahl included.
He was sitting on a chair near them, with only Maribelle there to talk to.
"So, you're certain there is no trouble for them to worry about anymore?"
"Why yes, as long as they rest tomorrow, then they should be ready to depart with us." Maribelle nodded as she grabbed her Parasol.
"Good. Hey Maribelle, can you do me a favor?"
"And what might that be?"
"Can you bring me a blanket?"
"What? I cannot allow someone to stay here near the patients!"
"But Maribelle, please. I owe these two my life after today; I want to at least stay here as watch to do something for them."
"...Oh, all right, but do not get any horrific ideas with Sumia or disturb Stahl, whose condition is worse! If I see their conditions worsened by the sunrise, your life is forfeit!"
"Yeah, sure sure. I won't do any of that."
"I'll hold you to your word, then." Maribelle said as she went off and returned with a blanket for Orpheus. He spent time thinking to himself about the day, but eventually his tired body gave in. Despite how much he wanted to stay awake, his body protested his will greatly.
It was about 3 A.M. and Sumia had just woken up, after her eyes opened up completely, she jumped up. "Orpheus!" She said aloud, before cringing in pain.
"Awake now, are ya?" Stahl laughed to himself a bit, who seemed to have been awake for some time.
"What happened?"
"We got knocked out by that Sorcerer guy."
"Oh no! We both died and are in the afterlife!" Sumia put her hands on her head, shaking in shock. "We couldn't help Orpheus and now look at us!
"Calm down, Sumia. Besides, he's right there." Stahl said as he pointed out to the sleeping Orpheus. "Keep it down or you'll wake him up."
"Orphe-eep!" Sumia nearly shouted his name aloud before she covered her mouth up. "We failed and now he's with us too…!"
"We're not dead, he saved our unconscious heads."
"R-really?"
"Yeah, or so the nightshift cleric said." Stahl messed with his hair before explaining the details.
"...Wow. He really is a strong person."
"He still felt bad about it though, but I think we should make it up to him when we have the chance. We owe him a lot. This whole army does really."
"Yes! I know what I should do. I'll make him some lunch after this war is over. Would you like some too?"
"Sure! I'm always up for eating food."
"Hee hee, I hope everything gets better soon. I'm excited for this already!" The cheery Pegasus Knight felt she had a lot of her energy return to her, before cringing back in some pain. "Ow, Owww."
"Maybe you should let your pain subside before thinking about anything."
Hero: Now we know who Orpheus' two best friends are, them being Stahl and Sumia. I've always wondered why Sumia was so hard on herself and after seeing Cordelia's support with the Male Avatar, it got me thinking if that was connected somehow. I mean, if you think about it, it is likely. I doubt the girl was hard on herself only to make herself better at what she does. So I wanted to tackle on this issue for both of them. This will be a big issue for Orpheus to find a solution to. As I said before, the theme for this fic is "Resolve" and sometimes, past events can hinder you while you fight for your goal. But it is possible to make them be a benefit. Past, Present, & "Future" can all affect your resolve after all, so we'll see one of each here throughout the story.
Now then, time for a bit of info on Orpheus. Today I'll mention his dual-attack lines:
"All too easy."
"I have you now!"
"C'mere you!"
I also referenced another battle at the end of the fight between Orpheus and Validar, I get the feeling one of you may notice it. Maybe since it's hard to reference things only through text.
Now, to go a bit off topic, I had to actually think of sensible ages for everyone since the only ages we know for sure are Chrom, Lissa, Emmeryn, & Aversa's(believe it or not) ages. So once Cherche comes into play(Btw, guess who I'm shipping her with, no not Orpheus.), I'll mention their ages.
Next chapter I had to split into two parts since I had two battles in mind, but I don't want another long chapter like this for at least for the Arc 1 finale. But get ready for your heart to be torn apart if you like certain characters and it's time we make the Tactician do what he should've done throughout the story imo!(Hint, it involves Chrom.) I'm looking forward to the next chapter already. Anyway, please share your thoughts on the chapter, I would greatly appreciate it. Now I have kept you here longer than I should, so I'll let you be on your way. Take care, stay golden and next time we take to the skies!
