A/N: Forgot the disclaimer. I obviously don't own Fire Emblem, because anyone writing something like this should be kept far away from the rights. I do however own this fan fiction and the title image.
BANANA: Thank you so much for your comment, it made my day :)
Eirika and Ephraim were not at the 'Sacred Stones' dining hall that night, but it was probably for the best. Valter was seated next to him, attacking the food in front of him like he hadn't eaten in days, not that Lyon blamed him. He had been that way on his first night as well, as if his body felt the rift in time since he had died. It was strange, and Lyon would rather not question it.
Lyon assumed Valter found his answers, because later that day he had caught him in the halls while he searched for the Renais twins. They hadn't been in their room, and Lyon was hoping to find them in the courtyard with Roy when Valter stopped him in his tracks and insisted he follow him.
All in all, Lyon wanted to believe that maybe Valter was following him around because somewhere inside, he was nervous. Lyon had been reunited with Eirika and Ephraim when he arrived, so he had no reason to feel alone in this new and strange world, but Valter seemed to lack any allies, or at least, anyone that was here. Which led Lyon to speak up over the crowd at the man in question,
"Have you found anyone you recognize? You know, there's a list of heroes who have been summoned here."
Mouth still full, he replied, "I won't bother, no one I can think of that would be worth chatting with." Lyon would have pushed further, but the grand doors to the hall swung open at that moment, and Kiran walked through with Alphonse and Shareena by her sides. The commander entered as well, her elegant blade from that morning replaced by her hefty axe that she carried over her shoulder. It added to her intimidation factor, but it couldn't have been comfortable.
When everyone was reasonably settled, Kiran addressed the crowd. "Alright everyone, so I've been thinking about the squadrons for a while now, and I think I found the best way to group you guys up" Lyon couldn't help but frown at Kiran's language. Where they were from, he had no idea. "Basically, I'm going to assess each and every one of you in a short demonstration of your skill. Consider it any regular day in the training arena, except Anna, Alphonse, Shareena and I will be watching your every move… No pressure."
Whispers rippled around the table, as some smiled at their friends with confidence while others looked like flustered knaves shrinking from their masters. Kiran tapped a spoon against the glass in front of her to regain attention. "I'm going to test you in groups based on where you came from. We're going to knock all of this tomorrow, so be ready."
Kiran must have true dedication to spend an entire day testing around two-hundred soldiers individually, and it was truly admirable if not a bit creepy. A smile spread over the summoner's face, "This group will be one of the first to be tested, since we're doing this in chronological order. Don't be late, and now I'm off to inform the rest of us." With a wave, they left through the opposite door of which they entered, followed by the rest of the Askran nobles. Shareena smiled and waved as well, breaking the formal image they carried themselves with.
"Tests, tests, tests! It really is no wonder these imbeciles are losing a war. Organization is one thing, but this is ridiculous." Valter said aloud to no one in particular, but Lyon assumed it was mostly directed at him, since everyone else seemed to be pointedly avoiding him.
Since there were so many soldiers in the castle, this dining hall was exclusive to their wing, deemed 'Sacred Stones' by Kiran. Lyon was unsure of why the summoner chose that name rather than a place or continent, but it was at least consistent with something from their world. Everyone here knew or at least recognized everyone else, so Valter's apparent sour reputation could explain the hostile environment he was met with. The funny thing was, after Commander Anna made Lyon show Valter around, and after the knight took to following him around the castle all day, he felt like it was his responsibility to be the hospitable one, and that he really didn't have a choice in the matter.
"I think Kiran is only trying to play it safe. If they really are from another world, then they can't be entirely familiar with the enemy, or us for that matter. It's a way to get acquainted with the army, and to bind us together accordingly for the best general layout against Embla."
Valter gave him a deadpanned look, unimpressed with Lyon's rationalizing. Honestly, Lyon was beginning to think that the only thing that could interest him was-
"So, where are the twins at?" He looked around even though it must have been obvious by now that they were absent from dinner. "Did I scare them away? What a shame."
"Eirika and Ephraim would never let themselves be defeated by you. They were most likely tired, or perhaps already heard of the assessments tomorrow and have retired for the night to preserve their strength."
"Yes, that must be it," Valter laughed in a sarcastic tone. Lyon seethed with hidden resentment. How dare Valter criticize the people he terrorized? He had no idea what the twins had been through, and he had only added to their troubles. It was because of him that Ephraim truly drew his lance that morning for the first time since the war. It was because of him that Eirika had retreated into the corridors of the castle, and neither Lyon or her friends could find her all day.
"My father was a great leader. He made sure to select honorable knights as the Imperial three and the generals just below them. I don't remember him ever having interest in people who act like you are you, really? Why do you feel the need to be so, so…"
"Monstrous? Malicious? Perhaps vile, cruel, disgusting, arrogant, or a murderer if you want to be nice? I've heard them all, from my superiors to my comrades in arms, and most importantly, from the dying breath of my victims." Obsidian eyes bore into Lyon's soul, and he swore his voice dropped in tone to sound even more fiendish, "Nothing you could ever say to me could faze me."
Lyon held his stare, looking into those determined eyes. They were so dark, but Lyon could still almost see his reflection in them. He couldn't help but think that, if anyone else had said what the Moonstone General just did, they would have sounded heroic and confident‒ admirable. Valter just sounded evil, and Lyon was fascinated by how he could warp those words to hold such darkness.
Finally, the purple haired mage stood from his chair, "I'm retiring for the night. We have a big day tomorrow." He addressed the rest of the table, earning some goodbyes and goodnights in return. Valter was silent, having looked down at his plate when Lyon broke eye contact.
The halls were dark by now, dimly lit by the occasional torch. Lyon relied on his touch and muscle memory to navigate them, always keeping his fingers just against the stone so he knew when the corners turned. The lodging halls were better lit, and he was able to find the right door to his room. His palm just made contact with the door when another creaked open further down the hall. Greenish blue hair and a swirling cape made him freeze.
"Ephraim?" He whispered, scared to wake anyone who may be asleep. The figure met his eyes, and he knew it to be him.
"I see you're finally alone," Ephraim approached him, and in the silence Lyon could hear every scrape of the plates of armor and folds of his cape fabric in the movement. It made Ephraim more warrior-esque, and somehow intimidating.
"I'm sorry I couldn't come find you or Eirika. I tried, after doing what the commander asked of me, but Valter was quick to find me again. I didn't want to run into either of you with him breathing over my shoulder."
"Eirika was so shocked when I told her, she refused to step outside in fear of seeing him. What's strange is that she was so brave when we fought him and the others, but now that it's all over, she's afraid. I try to assure her that we made it before, so if he tries anything, we would prevail all the same and with the help of the Order… She must know that he wouldn't be able to try anything in front of everyone, and that she could hold her own against him and still, she's scared."
Lyon's eyes darted from Ephraim's defeated face to the carpet running along the stone floor, fishing for something reassuring to say. "I think a lot of people believe that survival can only make you braver and immune, but I believe that is not the case for everyone. Some people remember the pain more vividly, and even though they have been through darker times, they fear reliving the same experience." He looked back into Ephraim's eyes, more confident in his speech. "Eirika just needs time, and she will get it once we are grouped in squadrons and stationed far away from Valter. Kiran is wise enough not to assign him to the same troop as her."
"Maybe you're right. I won't try to pressure her, and tomorrow I'll be nothing but supportive."
"You heard of the placement assessments?" Ephraim nodded. Lyon rubbed the back of his neck with his hand in nervousness, "I'm a bit nervous to show the full extent of my magic. After what happened, my own power scares me a bit."
"It won't be the same. This is your own magic, that you learned when we were growing up, and that you would amaze us in the gardens with when you learned a new spell. If you think of it like that, then you should be proud to show it off. Eirika and I will be rooting for you," his usual heroic smile returned to his features, and Lyon couldn't help but feel relieved.
He couldn't let anything ruin his newfound relationship with Ephraim and Eirika. As long as they were happy, there was always a chance at maintaining their new life.
"Thanks, I'll be watching you and Eirika as well."