Chapter 7: Difference Maker
We got to Ferox on a Sunday. The tournament was on a Saturday. What I learned during that time was that Fredrick does not know the meaning of a regular work-out or regular training. We got up at 7 every day, ate breakfast at 7:30, began training at 8, had a break at 12 for lunch, started back up at 12:30 and went until 5:30. It was bullshit that's what it was. The worst part was that he went extra hard on Donnel, Robin and myself. We were the newest recruits…but still. We were so tired after every day of training that Donnel and I ate dinner then practically passed out as soon as we fell onto our beds. Sully then kicked my ass several times in sparring matches. Remember the blood-stained armor? She got her revenge.
I've done basketball training before that was hard, but this was bullshit. The day we had our light work-out was on the Friday before the tournament. We had our evening off but went two times as hard during the morning. Again, I say bullshit.
The tournament was different than it was in the game. It was four one-on-ones with one of them after a two-on-two. Robin had stayed up a night or two doing research on the best matchups we could have and the best chances each person would have against any matchup. She had a sheet with a million numbers. We obviously have the same thought process because I was the only one who could understand her thinking and the data she collected. It's like picking a starting line-up.
Chrom was going to be our ace in the hole and go last. Every Shepherd knew he was going to fight. Robin then picked us to fight as well. Her stats had us each having at least a 50% chance of winning against whoever we fought, disadvantages and all. She was down to three now. Donnel was out, he asked saying that he wasn't ready. Lissa was out because she couldn't fight. Virion wouldn't be a prime one-on-one fighter so he was out. It was down to Fredrick, Sully, Stahl, Vaike, and Sumia. It was known that there would be an axe user, maybe two, we would face so Sully, Sumia, or Fredrick were a defendant yes. Sumia quickly declined saying that she wasn't ready. Sully then forced Robin to let her fight. So now down to four. Stahl being the nice guy he was let Vaike and Fredrick fight. So we have the Shepherds starting line-up. Yay! Vaike was going first, Sully second, Fredrick third, Robin and I were doing the two-on-two, because everyone thought we were siblings, and Chrom as I said was last.
During the afternoon training sections, Robin and I worked on our teamwork. She had us practice moves for each combination of opponents we might go up against. From a spear and axe, to a sword and a mage. She had everything covered.
"What do we do if we go against a Knight and a Mercenary?" she asked me while we were taking a break on Friday morning. We were sitting down on a bench in a training room that Khan Flavia lent us. Chrom was training with Fredrick on the other side. We were watching him while drinking some water.
"You take the Knight because your magic is more effective than my arrows or both of our swords. I take the Mercenary." I answer, gulping down some water.
"Correct." She said. "Do you remember everything I've told you?"
"I'm pretty sure I do." I say before laughing. "You seem a bit over prepared."
"Good." she was quiet for a minute before speaking again. "Was it too much?" I shot her a confused look.
"Why would you be thinking that?" I ask.
"It didn't feel familiar." She whispered out. "Every time I did a formula or wrote down a calculation after getting our fighters chosen felt like too much." I laugh quietly and shrug.
"It might be a bit overkill." I say, stopping to see her reaction. She sighed and slumped her head onto her hand. "But, you were nervous. You didn't want to fail Chrom or any of us. So you went over the top and that's fine, just don't do it too often." She hmph'd at me but I could tell she perked up. We sat in silence as Chrom and Fredrick clashed wooden training swords. I leaned back resting my back on the wall with my hands behind my head. Robin sat there with her head propped against her hand.
"Are you going to be out late again saving another damsel in distress?" she asked me. It has been five days since I saved Olivia from some drunk assholes and I haven't seen her since. Donnel and I walked her to the West Khan's castle and almost got arrested on sight. Olivia had to explain what happened and save our ass's. We didn't meet Basilio because he was still at the arena doing champion things. So one of the guards gave us thanks and shooed us out of there. He didn't let Olivia thank us or anything which was rude.
We got lost. Around midnight was when we got to the house that we were staying at. I was confronted by a mad and worried Robin. I explained what happened and she let me off the hook. She actually thanked me for doing that. I accidentally went into too much detail on Olivia and now was getting endlessly teased by the Shepherds, Lissa especially. Damn my big mouth and her perfect looks… Like I said damn my mouth.
"Maybe, depends on if it's Olivia again." I say smirking.
"Really?" she asked. I sigh and answer her.
"If I say anyone else in trouble like she was I would save them, but I would love to see her once before the tourney."
"Tourney?"
"Tournament."
"Ohh." And with that we went quiet. Chrom and Fredrick finished up and they walked over to us. Chrom was panting heavily and sweating hard while Fredrick wasn't doing either at all.
"Are we ready for tomorrow?" Chrom asked us.
"Robin was a tad overprepared but it'll save us in the end." I answer with a smirk. She flinched a little at overprepared.
"Better to be overprepared than underprepared." Fredrick said. Chrom chuckled quietly.
"Something you know all too well." He muttered. Robin and I snicker. Fredrick looked at us with some stern confusion which made me stop but smirk. Robin then got up and stretched.
"We have the rest of the day off, right Fredrick?" she asked the knight. He nodded.
"You all have earned it with your hard work." He said with a smile. "I have been looking forward to a half day off myself."
"Well don't be stuck with us." Chrom said ushering him towards the exit. "Go." With a nod he left.
"How did you get him to leave?" I ask.
"Luck. And his days off are looking after the camp, making sure everything is ready and put away, and etcetera." Chrom said waving his hand.
"Well I'm going to head out, I would like to relax for a little bit before I go fishing with Donnel, and I challenge Virion to another match on our game. Have a relaxing afternoon Chrom, Jordan." Robin said and she walked out the same exit as Fredrick. We watched her go.
"So…" I start.
"So?" he asks turning his head towards me.
"What now?" I ask.
"I have a meeting with Flavia in an hour so I need to get ready for that. Have fun doing whatever you're going to do." He answers and walks off in the opposite direction.
"Take a bath first!" I yell after him. He turned on a swivel and walked out the other exit. The same one Robin and Fredrick left. My eyes widened as I realize I sent him to the bathing rooms and that's where Robin most likely was. 'I pushed them towards there B-Support. Am I supposed to feel happy or angry… I'll find out later."
"The rest of the day I hung out with Lissa and Stahl. Lissa wanted to know more songs I knew so I told her and sadly had to sing her some. She really liked Shut Up and Dance by Walk The Moon along with One Republic's Counting Stars. If you can't tell I like 2010's Alternative/Pop music, mainly Alternative. After Donnel got back Lissa dragged him away and I went to look for Stahl. He was working on some potion or concoction. He was practicing what he had learned from the apothecary his brother and father ran. I asked questions about why blank works with blank and stuff like that. Once he finished, he said he was making it for Sully and rushed away with it.
I thought about leaving to see if I could see Olivia again. I was going to do that until I saw a letter by the door of the room Donnel, Stahl, and I were bunking. There was one more guy I swear. I picked it up and went inside. Looking at it I saw it was addressed to me by some guy with crappy handwriting that looked like mine. I sat on my bed and opened it.
Dear past Jordan, Don't freak out but I am you from the future.
I had a mini freak out. "How the hell?! What the Hell?! Who in the Hell sent me this?! Wait… Ohh Lucina did. This must be important if I needed to send myself a letter from the future. But wait if I was from the future and I'm only here because of a coma… not now paradox." I was quiet for a little bit. "But how was I able to be in the future and I've only been here for a week or so? Damnit I need to read this and not worry… yet."
Lucina should have dropped this off before the Arena match. If not… read it anyway it's still important. I come from the past of the children where the world became hell, never figured out why or how. All I know is that you are in the world of the actual game. I told the children everything so they know everything about the game and the story. Lucina almost stabbed me on sight if my/our daughter didn't stop her. By the way, our daughter is a kid that is directly connected to you, I'm not telling you about our other child. Anyway, each kid knows the story and Morgan should have a map to find the kids. I was one of the last adults alive and I basically became season two Steve Harrington. Our/my wife and I were always training the children or on the run protecting them. Morgan should not have amnesia because I shoved him through the portal first before any others. I then threw everyone else in as well. The reason I am telling you this is because the story won't be the same. You being there will change the game because of the knowledge you have. Don't be afraid of the changes you make, just make sure they are good changes. When you find my/our children please tell them I love them and that I am so proud of them. Please. Also tell the Shepherds soon. The sooner you tell them that you are from a different world the more likely they will except you.
I sat in silence. I stared at the letter. 'I'm glad future me sent this.' I fold the letter and put it in the same pouch as my stat card. I take a look at that again being curious.
Jordan: Hunter HP: 24/24
Lvl:4 Exp:17 Atk:12
Str:9 Hit:115
Mag:1 Crit:8
Skl:13 Avo:30
Spd: 8 Inventory:
Lck: 5 E: Iron Knives: 3 MT 33/40
Def: 10 Iron Sword: 5 MT 35/40
Res:2 Sword:C Bow: E
Skills: Cunning (Can switch between two weapons of the same class)
Companion (Can call for an attack from an animal companion)
"Still a badass." I laugh to myself and put that away and take off my belt. I set it on the table next to me. I thought about leaving to try and see Olivia once more but the tourney is tomorrow and I was tired. It was bed time.
The six starters, as I am now calling them, were sitting in a room with an entrance to the huge arena. It truly was massive, maybe as big as… I don't know stadium names of the top of my head but it was as big as an American Football stadium. I don't know how big the other type of football's stadiums are.
Vaike was yapping on about beating up the Feroxi in front of a crowd and stuff. Chrom just sat there, patiently listening to his rambling. Sully was stretching her arms and legs. Fredrick was sharpening the sword he was going to be using. Robin sat by me, eyes closed, deep in thought. Everyone looked prepared while I was about to piss myself. I've never done anything in front of a crowd this massive. Almost every Feroxi citizen was there and I was nervous. I feel stiff.
"Calm down brother." Robin said not even having to look to tell how nervous I was. "It will do you no good if you freeze up now." She then looked at me and smirked. "Olivia might be watching. Wouldn't want to make a bad impression."
"Thanks you ass." I mutter back. If that didn't make me more nervous than I don't know what will. She put a hand on my shoulder. That actually helped me calm down. I took deep breaths in and dee breaths out. "Thank you."
"Focus on the people in front of you, not the people in the stands." Chrom said talking to all of us. "No killing. These people will be our allies shortly, so we don't want to ruin our relations just yet. I…" he looked over at Robin and turned red. She just glared at him. "I… am very grateful that you are helping us secure this alliance. This is the next step in Ylisse's future and our security. Thank you."
"It is a pleasure to serve you and the Halidom milord." Fredrick said.
"Ole'Vaike could do this any day." Vaike said thumping his chest.
"I'm hoping they put up a damn good fight." Sully said. that got a little laugh from all of us.
"If we win our match." I point between Robin and myself. "You're welcome." That got a round of laughs and a smack to the back of my head. "Ow. Damnit Robin I'm just joking."
"We will work together to win." She said sternly then looked at Chrom. "We all will." She smiled at him and he smiled back.
"Thank you." He said. "All of you." The crowd roared after he said that and we could hear the muffled voices of the Khans explaining the rules and pumping up the crowd. A guard walked into the room and moved to the entrance to the arena.
"Who is first?" he asked.
"That'll be Ole'Teach here." Vaike said jumping up and rushing over to him.
"Walk out when I tell you." The guard said. Vaike looked back at us. I shot him a thumbs up. Everyone else wished him luck. The crowd roared and the guard pushed him out. It was silent for a minute then we heard metal on metal clashing. A horn bellowed after another minute and the crowd erupted. "Second?" the guard asked.
"Wait, we won't know what happened in the last fight?" I ask him.
"The Khans thought that this would be a better idea than putting extra pressure on the fighters. It would keep their minds fresh and not worried about the score or previous fights. Now second up?" He made sense as Sully walked up. She ran out with her lance as the guard lightly pushed her. The same thing happened again, silence, then metal, then a crowd roar. "Third?" he asked. Fredrick walked up calmly. He walked out and the same thing happened. "Double Round?" He asked.
I got up and checked my stuff. Knives, check. Sword, check. Vulnerary, check. Chrom walked over to us. "You ready?" he asked.
"I can only hope." I answer truthfully. He smiled.
"I'm glad you don't lie much." He said with a laugh as I paled at the hidden double meaning even he didn't know. "It's refreshing."
"Aren't we lying about being siblings to the Shepherds?" Robin asked. I laughed a little.
"Besides that." Chrom said. He put a hand on Robin's arm. "Be safe." She smiled and pulled his arm of but held his hand.
"I'd rather win than be safe, but since you asked." She said in a teasing fashion. He laughed and let go.
"No hand holding for me?" I asked hoping for a reaction. They both blushed and jumped back from each other as Robin ran a hand through her hair and Chrom itched his arm. "Lame. Let's go Sis." I say laughing. Robin and I walk to the door. We could faintly hear the announcer who had a deep voice.
"For the East. The two newest Shepherds. A cryptic tactician and her brother who is known as the Hunter of Ylisse. JORDAN AND ROBIN!" He shouted the last part. A gentle push by the guard and we walked into the arena.
The noise was deafening. The crowd was loving the pump up. I looked around to see that every single seat was filled. I kept looking trying to find the Shepherds and/or Olivia. I found both. The Shepherds were behind and right above us. Lissa was waving and cheering with Donnel doing the same besides her. Virion had a glass of wine and tipped it to us. Miriel was taking notes for some reason. Stahl was clapping and smiling in his seat. Sumia had to contain Ridley from jumping in the arena when she saw me. I smile and wave. Robin looked behind and smiled. I gave a small wave as I turned and walked near the middle.
The Khans were sitting on the west side due to the west being in control. Basilio was a rough looking badass with his eyepatch and dark skin. He looked intimidating too. Flavia was less intimidating but still had a royal presence about her. She had a huge smile on her face indicating that we were doing well.
I nudged Robin to get her attention but she was already looking up there. Not at the Khans but at Olivia who was sitting in front of them next to Lon'Qu who was as far away as possible without falling of his seat. She looked shocked to see me down there. I smile and wave at her. She blushed. Basilio noticed it and shot me a stern, fatherly glare. I shudder at that because, like I said, intimidating. I ignore him and hope my next move won't get me killed. I shot Olivia a wink. She blushed even harder and hid her face in her hands. A chill ran up my spine.
"If I die today, outside of the arena, it was Khan Basilio." I tell Robin. She looked at him then back at Olivia, then at me.
"Don't flirt with her in front of him. Everyone knows that you don't flirt with a man's daughter in front of him." She then chuckled. "I must say though, she is very pretty."
"Gorgeous." I say back. "But enough with the banter we have a battle to fight."
"Right." She says, focusing on the opponents. It was a Barbarian and a Knight. Robin would take the knight while I take the Barbarian.
"We heard of you two." The Knight said.
"Really?" I ask. "Never really had a reputation before." I laugh.
"You seem more arrogant than the rumors." The Barbarian said.
"It's false confidence." Robin says pulling out her tome.
"True." I say drawing my weapon.
"You are more human than we would have thought." The knight says pulling out a javelin.
"We shall see how that changes in battle." The Barbarian says swinging his axe in front of him.
"Ready then?" I ask Robin and them. Robin holds up a two on her fingers then a four. Plan twenty-four. We attack the wrong one the switch in the middle of our fight.
"Ready." They say. I rush at the Barbarian then cut to my left to fight the Knight. He was not expecting that at all. Robin cut in front of me to hit the Barbarian. The Knight Throws one javelin and pulls out a short spear. I dodge the javelin and throw a knife at his right side. He turns his body so he can't see me. I hoped he would do that as I go in for a punch to the face. He stayed back longer than I expected and I tripped over his boots. I roll back to my feet. Looking behind him and see that Robin is in the same position as I am. Time for step two.
I try and push him back with fast strikes. He doesn't stumble backwards as predicted. Instead he hangs in there and lets his armor take most of the hits. 'This isn't working.' I think to myself. I go for a harder slash to his chest. He blocks that but stumbles. 'All I have to do is complain, and my life works out.' I chuckle and put more oomph into my strikes.
He keeps stumbling backwards and our plan is working. He jabs at me with his spear and I hop left and press forward again. I try a stab and he easily parries. I slice up at him from my left and he has to step back. Our opponents end up back to back. Robin whistles and we quickly switch places. My new opponent looks so confused its funny. I smirk and go in for a stab. He deflects but not quickly enough. I prick him on the left side of his body. He takes his focus of me to check his wound. I take advantage and punch him in the face. He stumbles backwards before falling on his butt, letting go of his axe. I quickly rush over and hold my sword at his throat.
"Yield?" I command. His arm reached for the axe. Admirable but no use. I step on his arm hard enough to stop him moving but not enough to break it. He looks up at me for a couple seconds before lowering his head.
"I concede hunter." He says dejectedly. I release a breath and step back to help him up. He was confused but took the hand anyway. "Why help up an enemy?"
"You were an opponent. Not my enemy." I say with a smile. "There is no reason I shouldn't." His face was un readable. He nodded and went to pick up his axe and walk off. With the adrenaline wearing off I stagger a bit as I step forward. "That took more out of me than I thought." I mutter to myself. I notice Robin is in the same state as I am but with a smile on her face. We won and now I hear the crowd. This is what I imagined being in a stadium would be like but better. The crowd can give you so much energy and motivation to succeed. There were cheers and boos, mostly from drunk people.
I look at the Shepherds. Lissa was jumping up and down with excitement. Donnel was whistling next to her. Miriel was smiling which was weird in its own way. Stahl clapped along with everyone else. Sumia couldn't contain Ridley but she was stuck on something… invisible? I fall to the ground as Robin tackled me in a hug.
"That worked beautifully Jordan!" She said very excited. She had a huge smile on her face. I laugh and pull myself up. I wrap my arm around her and kiss her on the forehead. I always did that to my sisters on earth so I felt it important to do here. She is my sister now, even not by blood. I looked up to try and catch Olivia's eye. She was clapping but not hard, like a dainty clap, but she was smiling at me. I gave her a soft smile back before we were ushered out of the arena.
We met up with the rest of our merry crew and we figured out they had all won their matches. That means we had this all but wrapped up. We were in the infirmary resting. Chrom's match started and ended quickly. He came in with a contemplative look on his face. Robin asked what was wrong.
"She had a parallel Falchion. And she refused to take off her mask. I just want to know what she is hiding." He answered. Everyone was shocked at his mentioning of a parallel Falchion except me. I knew I couldn't act worth shit so I just stayed quiet and didn't. Because I'm a lucky or unlucky bastard no one noticed. We had won all of the matches which means Flavia was in charge of Regna Ferox so we now have our alliance. Chrom and Robin were going to talk to her and dragged me along for some reason.
"Well fought! You have my respect And, perhaps more to the point, you have your alliance. I will provide Ylisse with the soldiers she needs." Flavia said. She stood at 5'10" with sandy blonde hair and dark skin. She was more muscular than Sully. She looked like a leader which was good I guess. We were in the foyer of the castle. The other shepherds were preparing our things to leave for Ylisstol tomorrow.
"Truly? Thank you, Khan Flavia." Chrom responding a bit shocked. I roll my eyes.
"I should thank you! It feels like ages since I've held full power. Come my new friends! Tonight, we celebrate!" With that she leaves in a hurry. Robin snickers and Chrom shakes his head.
"Bah! Any excuse to party and she jumps on it…" a rough voice says from behind me, like directly behind me. I jump and turn around and promptly, figuratively, piss myself. Basilio was standing over me. He was around 6'6" or something like that with his body made up of pure muscles. His one eye was giving me the look over. He looked menacing and bad ass, but I'm more worried about my life right now. I step back discreetly as possible. While Robin was almost on the verge of laughing, she could hold it in very well.
"I'm sorry have we met?" Chrom asks oblivious to the atmosphere. I keep stepping back until I am level with Robin and Chrom.
"I am the West-Khan you so rudely removed from power. You're handy with a sword boy. I thought for sure I picked a stronger man." He says ignoring me. I can't tell if that's a good thing.
"Marth is a woman. Do you know much about her?" Chrom asked. Basilio looked shocked at the fact that Marth was a woman. He then laughed his ass off.
"That explains why my old champion lost. Lon'qu come here." He said. Lon'qu was a bit shorter than I am. He was around 5'10" with dark black hair and dark piercing eyes. He had two swords to his belt and a Feroxi style coat on. He stopped nest to Basilio and looked at Chrom then at Robin. "Lon'qu has always been uncomfortable around women so now it makes sense why he lost. He is just as good as Marth in my opinion. Consider it a gift from the West-Khan." Basilio said slapping him on the back. He stumbled forward but caught himself.
"You're certain about this?" Chrom asked.
"Yes, yes. He is your man now?" Basilio answered.
"Are you okay with this Lon'Qu?" I ask him. He then gives me the death glare. I'm sensing an alternative motive now.
"He gives orders. I stab people. I think our roles are clear." He answers in a rough voice.
"Very well… Welcome aboard." Chrom said.
"Excellent. Now onto the real business." Basilio said. I paled and Robin snickered. Chrom just looked confused.
"What real business?" he asked.
"Mr. Hunter here…" Basilio pointed at me. "Has some big balls and explaining to do for flirting with Olivia in front of me."
"Ha ha." I say weakly, earning a glare from him, laughing from Robin and a really look from Chrom.
"Who is Olivia and Really Jordan?" He asked.
"Olivia is a Dancer I have adopted. She is like my daughter. Which makes him either stupid or braindead for winking at her in the arena." Basilio answered sternly. I was sweating up a storm. 'I knew that was a bad idea.'
"Jordan… Why? Wait was this the girl you and Donnel saved from those drunk men on Sunday?" he asked me. 'Thank you Chrom, this might save my ass.'
"Wait, that was you?" Basilio asked a bit shocked.
"Yes, that was me. I'm not a flirty person but sometimes…well…" I taper off before I get an uncertain look from Basilio. "I just met her and would like to get to know her more if I had more time than this. I promised I'd look after my sister and where ever she goes I go. If we are going back to Ylisstol than I'm going back too. I'm not like those people who sexually assaulted her in that bar. I would rather get to know someone rather than base them of their looks."
Basilio looks at me for a while before sighing. "You can come out now." We heard a squeak from behind a pillar before Olivia walked out blushing like crazy.
"I didn't… I didn't want to ease drop. I'm sorry." She squeaked out hastily. I was blushing like crazy and Robin was leaning on Chrom from laughing so hard. Chrom just sighed and shook his head.
"It's fine Olivia. Was he the one who saved you?" Basilio asked.
"Yes." She said meekly. Basilio sighed and rubbed his forehead before nodding to himself.
"Listen kid." He started out. "I put on the whole intimidating dad thin but I just want her to be happy. You seem like a nice guy and she spoke very highly of you. I am worried about what I'm about to do but I hope I can trust you." He turned to Olivia who was playing with her ribbon. "Olivia."
"Yes?" she said.
"Would you like to join the Ylissians?" He said.
"Wha… what?!" she exclaimed. "I can't fight I can only dance, not very well, but that's all I…"
"Bah! You are a great dancer. No need to be modest." He said dispersing the serious tone of the room. "So do you want to join you little boyfriend over there?" Now he was teasing and we both blushed.
"Basilio! He's not…" She looked at me and tapered off. "I… if they can use my service then I would like to join. If it is okay with them." Chrom was about to speak when Robin cut him off.
"We would love to have you join." She said emphasizing the word love. Olivia stared at her for a little bit before nodding.
"Great, now get going." Basilio said giving her a push towards me. She stumbled and I had to catch her. She held on to my arms and vest and looked up at me with a blushed face and a nervous look. Basilio joined Robin in laughing. Lon'qu sighed and Chrom snickered. I give her a reassuring smile in hopes to calm her down. It seemed to work because her facial expression changed from nervous to relaxed. She smiled back and stood up straighter.
She was around 5'6" with beautiful pink hair and beautiful amethyst eyes. She wore a less conservative white dancers outfit but hey, she looked great. She had a ribbon draped around her connected by two black see through arm sleeves. She had the same material covering her legs as well.
Was this what future me was talking about. Change for the better? Looking at her I can say this might be a change for the better.
AN: So yay! Him telling them who he actually is might not come around for a while. In the letter he wrote to himself. It said that Morgan has a map to his friends and that he might not have amnesia. It shows his impact on the story. He knew what was going to happen so he wanted to keep the children as safe as possible. BTW Stranger Things is the best TV show ever, in my humble opinion. His child won't be female Morgan but another OC. I have a personality and everything set up. I wanted to have Olivia join early because why not. Basilio's personality might be OOC but it's more of an OOC dad towards Olivia and Lon'Qu. That's all I have right now. Next up is The Mad King and Fluffy Things.
