Hey guys! I'm back! I've been on a rather short break from writing due to some very hateful comments by PersonaUserOrpheus3245. His comments were very insulting and I felt severely discouraged by his hate. But I realized that he has done this to other fanfics as well, so please, if you see him do this to others, please report him or do anything to stop him. I was able to recover from my funk because of some encouraging words from my other readers. Kudos to deeed22, Star Geman and General soto, for being polite in their address towards me.
Also, the OCs in this story will be toned down a bit. I will also try to increase the interactions between the Shepherds and the Earth characters to make it a more FE story than just an original story.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem, all characters depicted in this story belong to their respective creators.
Rune fights off more Risen, backpedalling to avoid the numerous undead shambling after him. While moving, Rune notices a Risen swordsman about to finish a fallen boy. Rune quickly runs in to finish off the Risen. As soon as the threat had been neutralized, Rune pulled up the fallen boy from the ground. The boy wore a pot that covered his shaggy dark hair. He also had a distinctive x-x-shaped scar on his left cheek.
"Are you okay?"
"I-I think so. I was just goin' to join Ma then BAM! I'm on the ground!"
"What's your name?"
"The name's Donnel Tinhead, but just call me Donny fer short." he said, before asking. "What's yer name?"
"Rune."
Rune sees more Risen coming their way. He notices that Donnel is holding a pitchfork.
"Donnel, can you fight?" he asked.
"I-I think so." Donnel said with an unsure tone.
"Well, you don't have much of a choice now."
Rune readies his two hatchets and fights off two Risen as Donnel quakes in his boots. Rune acknowledged that the boy was no fighter and had two up his game to defeat the Risen. Rune first buries his hatchet into one Risen's neck. He then throws his other axe another Risen. He then quickly picks up the hatchet from the corpse and runs toward a much larger Risen, he then buries both hatchets into the chest of the Risen axeman. The Risen does not react and instead, slams Rune to the ground. Rune struggles as the axeman plants his foot on Rune's chest. Before the Risen could finish him, a pitchfork comes in and stabs him in the head. Rune realizes that the stab came from Donnel, who had mustered the courage to save Rune. The Risen man falls to the ground dead. Rune stands up on his own and says.
"Thanks for the save."
"No problem! Couldn't just stand there an' let ya die."
"Come with me, we're making our final stand with some of the local militia."
"Gosh ya sure? I ain't much offa warrior and I really need to get back to Ma"
"It doesn't matter, we need all the help we can get. We're running out of men."
Rune and Donnel ran through the hordes of Risen, cutting down every Risen that stood in their path. They saw Felix fighting off more Risen, as Felix kicks away another Risen, he stabs another and bashes it with his shield. Rune runs in and kills a Risen sneaking up on Felix. Donnel stood by them as he stabbed every incoming Risen with his pitchfork, able to contribute in fighting off the hordes. But something in the Risen's minds snaps, they all begin to shamble towards the remaining fighters instead of mindlessly chasing after every living thing.
"Uh… Why're them corpses shamblin' towards us?"
"Stick together! We're the last defense this town has!" one soldier shouted.
Felix then sees a scarecrow-looking Risen shamble towards him and he gets ready. But instead of slowly shuffling towards him, the Risen goes into a gooey puddle, confusing Felix. The puddle then moves towards Felix quickly, with the Risen completely catching Felix off-guard. Felix gets slashed across his side, his armor giving way to the undead's sharp claws. He falls to the ground, too wounded to even continue. Rune sees this and becomes enraged, he runs through the crowd, killing everything in his path. He sees the scarecrow and runs in to confront it. The Risen tries hacking him, but Rune ducks and hits its gut. He then runs it to the ground and tries to finish it off. The Risen then disappears into the ground, leaving Rune confused.
"Where the hell did he go?"
Rune ducks another swipe by a swordsman and hacks him to death. He then kicks another one and hits his neck. With his back turned, the scarecrow Risen rises up behind him.
"Rune! The Revenant's behind you!" Felix screamed while was downed.
Rune turns in time to block the claws. He then kicks it back and buries both hatchets into its face, finally killing it. Rune drags back the injured Felix. He then looks to his horror to see that they were completely surrounded and the other soldiers were either dead, injured or just too tired to fight. He and Donnel fought the seemingly endless hordes. Rune knew this was it, but he had to go down swinging. Donnel was desperately stabbing the Risen, but to no end as he gets backed into a corner. It was over.
But at the moment where everything seemed hopeless, a giant roar was heard.
"HYAAGH!"
The Risen turned heads to the source of the noise. The townsfolk and the weary soldiers look to see a giant man coming from the horizon. They also saw by his side, a blue-haired man wielding a familiar sword, and a white haired man in a dark robe. From their point of view, they saw the giant man effortlessly swat away the Risen with his giant axe. The white-haired man also seemed to be bringing the heat with his masterful thunder strikes paired with the blue-haired man's sword skills.
"It's Prince Chrom! And the Shepherds!"
Rune smirked as he readied to fight once again.
"It's Chief Hagen and the Danes!"
"Heh. I knew he would come for us." Felix said weakly while lying down.
"Don't waver!" Rune shouted. "The prince has come with reinforcements!"
The soldiers immediately got up and shouted in joy, inspired by the appearance of Chrom. They immediately charged into the horde, eager to fight once again.
"YEEEEEEHAW!" Donnel cheered as he plowed through the crowd of Risen, completely inspired by the prince's arrival.
The flanking maneuver made short work of the vulnerable Risen, leaving a trail of corpses where the unbreakable line went. And soon enough, the battle is won, with the help of reinforcements and unbreakable morale. Healers from the Shepherds tend to the wounded, but Rune wastes no time, seeing Felix barely hanging on in his pool of blood. He carries his comrade to the inn, where Elisa was hiding. Elisa looks horrified to see Felix so bloody. Rune then says.
"I need one of your beds NOW."
Elisa willingly complies and showed him to a nearby room on the ground floor where Rune had set down Felix. He grabs one of the blankets and wraps
"Why don't you just heal him? Aren't there healers here?"
"The process of healing too slow for us to wait for the healers. We need to seal it now, or he won't be surviving.
Elisa runs out to the fireplace and grabs a glowing hot iron rod.
"Will this do?"
"Yes, please hold Felix down." Rune asked politely, prompting Elisa to hold down Felix by his shoulders.
Rune holds the iron rod over Felix's side.
"Are you ready Felix?"
"Just do it…"
Rune immediately presses the iron rod onto Felix's wound, causing Felix to scream in pain. Elisa looked horrified to see Felix thrashing around so much. His violent thrashing caused him to shake the bed as his screams haunted Elisa. Rune removes the heated wound, leaving a bad scar.
"Gods above, I can't stand the pain." Felix cursed while recovering from his pain.
"It's only temporary, we need to get you a healer."
Felix weakly tried to walk but nearly fell, with Rune catching him, Rune then supports him as they walked out and searched for a healer. They walked until they reached Lissa, who had just finished healing a soldier.
"Lissa, please heal Felix, he's been badly wounded."
"Of course! Just set him down!" Lissa said cheerily.
"Not so fast!"
Rune sees a woman in a frilly pink outfit and brown boots. She points an accusing finger at him, saying.
"You miscreants have the nerve to ask poor, tired Lissa to heal your friend."
"Felix needs a heal now. I'm not budging until he gets what he needs."
"Maribelle, it's fine really—" Lissa said, before getting cut off.
"Then let me do it!" Maribelle insisted. "Lissa is not someone you can just pile your burdens upon, you dogs!"
Rune ignores the annoying lady's comments and sets Felix down on the ground.
"I'll leave him in your care."
Rune walks up to Chrom, who was conversing with Hagen. Hagen notices him and says.
"Rune! Are you and Felix alright!?" Hagen asked with much worry
"Felix is suffering a wound to the side, but he'll live. I, on the other hand, just need my damn drink."
"You deserve a drink after this whole mess."
"Hey Rune!" a voice called.
Rune turns to see Donnel run towards, accompanied by an older woman, presumably his mother.
"Donnel! What are you doing here?"
"My Ma and I just wanna thank ya and yer friend for helpin' the town! We never coulda done it without ya!"
"Don't give me too much credit Donnel, you also helped quite a lot."
"Rune who is this?" Chrom asked.
Donnel and his mother immediately bowed.
"Yer Majesties! My name is Donnel Tinhead or Donny for short! We'd like to thank you for yer help!"
"He helped us fight off the Risen and even saved my life a couple of times."
Hagen then turns to Donnel, frightening him greatly.
"P-please don't hurt us your Almightyness…"
"Hurt you?" Chief Hagen asked before giving a thunderous laugh. "Boy, I should be showering you with praise. You saved my men from certain death; you certainly have skill and potential."
"Don't sell yourself short Donny, if it weren't for you, this village would have been lost." Chrom added. "Hone your potential and you should be able to do this no problem."
Chrom and Hagen nearly walk away, but Donnel then says.
"W-wait! Please!"
Chrom and Hagen turn back, while Rune stands there, confused.
"I has a request, sir. If it please Your Graceliness…" Donnel begged on his knees. "Take me with you, milord! Lemme be a Shepherd like you! I'm good with livestock, I am! Please, sir!"
"Hush now, you fool boy!" the mother reprimanded.
"Today, Rune here showed me how far I could go. That I could do more for the village than just shovelin' dirt left an' right. I want to be a Shepherd, and learn to keep my home safe!"
"You need to learn yer place boy! A farmhand's not fit fer a royal—"
Chrom and Hagen shared a glance, before Chrom stepped forward, interrupting the argument.
"Actually, we'd be thrilled to have you onboard. We need every capable man in this fight against Plegia and you just proved yourself to be a capable fighter."
"Y-you're very kind to say as much, Your Lordshipness, but…" she paused before sighing. She then turns to Donnel. "Well, you're a man grown now, Donny. I s'pose you can make up your own mind."
"Aw Ma…"
"You just come home safe, love. I'll see that the village is still standin' when you return a hero. …Well?! Off with you, then! Glory's waiting', boy!"
"I ain't fightin' for glory, Ma. I'm fightin' for you! But if I do find some glory, I'll be sure to bring it home for you!"
Rune tried to suppress his laughter, but a quick glare from Hagen removed the feeling.
"Just come home alive Donny."
Donny gives his mother a kiss on the cheek before she goes back to her house. Donnel then runs up to Chrom saying.
"I'm ready, Your Princeliness!"
"Well first things first Donny, we need to introduce you to everyone…"
The Shepherds and Danes finally finished tending to the wounded soldiers. Felix and Rune finally got that mead they originally came to buy. And the party was ready to leave for Ylisstol once again. Before that, Elisa comes out one more time to Felix.
"Hey Felix!" she waved.
"Oh! Elisa! What are you doing here!"
"I came to return your money silly!" she said casually while dropping the bag into his hands.
"Is that really all you came for because you didn't have—"
Felix's words were interrupted by a kiss on his cheek from Elisa. She then winks at him and says.
"I hope you come back soon!"
Felix caresses his cheek, while opening the bag of coins, to see a letter inside. He opens the letter to see the words.
"Write to me soon!"
Donnel immediately recognizes the signature and says.
"Wow! You must be some guy for Elisa to give ya a kiss like that!"
"Let's just get back to walking." Felix said sheepishly, much to the amusement of the other Danes.
It was an exhausting day for Marcus, he was accused of sexual harassment of Aoi Hyrose or "Annie Hyrose", but was quickly cleared when Annie testified for him. The rest of the day was just formations and duels between classes that Marcus had to supervise. And now, Marcus is patrolling the classrooms. It was already dismissal and he had to make sure the students were already out of the rooms. He walks around, knocks on a door and opens to check for any students. He repeats this for every classroom, they were thankfully empty and Marcus was finally able to go home. But before he goes downstairs, he decides to visit his homeroom classroom and grab a few stuff he had left. But while going to the desk, he hears strange noises coming from his teacher's desk.
He quietly looks under to see two girls kissing passionately, groping each other and making suggestive movements. The rest of what they were doing, Marcus couldn't even put it to words.
"YAAAAAGGGGHHHH!"
"They WHAT!?" the Headmistress asked in shock.
"I said it as it is. They were kissing and caressing each other in the classroom." Drake said nonchalantly.
"And why isn't Sir Marcus telling this to me himself?"
"He's recovering from… The trauma of the situation…"
Marcus could be seen shivering at the sight of what he saw. He could not even grasp on what they were doing, it seemed so unreal and unlikely but it happened. And boy did that break his perception of everything.
"He started asking all the other female teachers if they "were interested in the same sex", it was certainly an eye-opener for him."
"Poor man, he'll never see his students the same way again. Let's give him a day-off tomorrow, just to clear his head."
It was night, Chrom and the party had to stop for camp once again. Everyone had gathered around the campfire to eat and share stories. Thankfully, Virion was able to score some game with the assistance of Rune and Vaike. The group split once again, the more rowdy Shepherds roughed around with the Danes. The more civilized ones had their quiet meal together and the newcomers stayed in their own spots. They all ate happily as Robin sat next to Chrom.
"It's been a rather interesting day hasn't it?"
"Interesting doesn't come close to this." Chrom commented. "We have at least three new recruits, a priest, some weird guy wearing a skirt and a farm boy."
"And I thought the Danes were strange." Robin added. "It really does change your perspective."
Meanwhile, Angus and Aiden talked about their future in the group.
"I mean, I'm all for joining this group, it doesn't really matter if they're pagans." Aiden said. "Their decision will take them to Hell, and I'm in no place to stop them."
"Yeah, but I think you should just shut up about that pagan stuff." Angus reprimanded. "I don't want to get kicked because of your loud mouth."
"Why're you joinin' the Shepherds?" Donnel asked.
"We have nothing else to do." Aiden said. "Our home is far away, and we have no way of coming back."
"Where're ya from?"
"Somewhere far, it doesn't matter where." Angus added, ending the conversation.
They continued eating, while everyone started interacting more with each other. Ricken had finally gotten to meet Chief Hagen and he was practically begging him for the secret to his height.
"There is no way you could have grown so much without some potion or magic!" Ricken complained.
Chief Hagen laughed as he tried to explain to the boy that it came naturally. But the boy refused to believe it, he was determined to get those few feet or inches in height. Maribelle then approaches an eating Angus and says.
"I know I have not acknowledged this yet."
"Acknowledged what?" Angus asked.
"I have yet to thank you for bringing me out of the line of attack. If it weren't for you, those mages would have been the death of me.
"No problem." Angus said with a bit of food flying off his mouth, nearly hitting Maribelle. She screams and begins to wipe herself before scolding Angus.
"You uneducated cad! You showered disgusting foodstuff all over my hair!"
"Whoops, sorry."
"Don't act like it's so inconsequential! You as a commoner who never know the finer manners and etiquette of nobility!"
Angus' expression changed from apathetic to serious.
"Actually I AM a noble. I just renounced my nobility for personal reasons."
Maribelle nearly choked on her tea, he gave up his nobility? Who would be willing to give up such an honor?
"Why would you give up something so important and high?"
"Don't be a prissy little lass, nobility isn't that important." Angus said nonchalantly.
"Excuse me, what did you just say!?" Maribelle asked, enraged.
The interactions lasted for some time. With many different Shepherds and many different Danes interacting with each other. Frederick scowled at the newcomers, expecting them to be traitors like everyone else Chrom had recruited. Felix was being endlessly teased by his older Danes as they started laughing at Elisa's interest in him.
Chrom wanted to know more about the newcomers, except Donnel. Donnel was a former farmhand, no surprise there. But Chrom was even more curious about Angus and Aiden. He then says.
"Sir Angus and Sir Aiden!"
Both stepped forward and sat across Chrom by the campfire. Chrom then said.
"As far as I'm concerned, you have not formally introduced yourselves. We do need to know a bit more about you to actually trust you."
"I am Angus MacArthur, a noble from Edinburgh, Scotland."
"And I am Father Aiden Walsh, a priest from Belfast, Ireland."
"Where are these Scotland and Ireland?"
"They're from Europe." said a gruff voice.
Chrom and Robin see Hagen approach them and sit down.
"Hagen?" Robin called. "You know these people?"
"No, but I do know where they are from. Long ago, the Scottish were once called Celts. We had visited their land before and the Highland nobles are not one to be messed with."
Angus gives a nod of pride at the statement.
"Their accent also gives away their respective countries, Marcus had an English accent, so therefore came from England. The other two accents also have their own respective kingdoms."
"Wait, you know someone English?" Angus said with venom in his tone.
"Yes, Sir Marcus of Canterbury, a prospective knight currently residing in Ylisstol." Chrom added. "A very skilled warrior, shame you didn't get to meet him."
The Scotsman wipes his sword and looks at his reflection.
"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll meet in the future."
Marcus rides home in his horse, still exhausted from dealing with the… new information that he had to process. He rides until he reaches Mikah's house. But he sees a rather large crowd forming outside Mikah's house. He puts Carlos by a place a bit farther from Mikah's house. He sees Mikah being offered many gifts, flowers and candies of many kinds. Marcus watched as she happily accepted all the gifts being given to her.
But he then sees someone distinguishable from the crowd. He couldn't believe his eyes, the nose and skin color were indicating his Arab blood, but the outfit was unmistakably that of a Hashashim. He could see that he also had a Quran by his side and a scimitar scabbard at the other. He needed to know if he was really what he thought he was. Marcus shouts.
Khalid stood outside Mikah's house. He wasn't going to give up on her. She was beautiful and caring, things he was looking for in a prospective bride. Most men took the brides based on face value but Khalid knew this woman was the one for him. He dressed in his best armor for her, he was going to win her over. But he hears a familiar shout.
"DEUS VULT!"
Khalid turns his head to see a chilling sight that has haunted him before. He saw a knight, not a Ylissean knight, but a Templar Knight, the bastards that slaughtered his people. He points a finger at the Templar.
"INFIDEL!"
Marcus drew his broadsword and shield, while the Arab drew his dual scimitars. Marcus makes the first strike, swiping at the Arab. The Arab ducks and kicks Marcus shins, causing him to stagger. Marcus blocks the incoming attack from the Hashashim, he then grabs and knees him hard causing the Hashashim to back up in pain.
The Hashashim then slices Marcus, with Marcus blocking with his hands. The metal bracers protected him from the incoming slashes, while he tried to get a hit in against the quicker Hashashim.
The rest of the crowd had run away in fear of the fight, giving Mikah a glimpse of what is happening. She sees the Arab man repeatedly bash Marcus' helmet with his sword pommel. Marcus throws him off and attempts to stab him, but Mikah interrupts them both.
"Khalid! What are you doing!?" she said to the Arab.
"Khalid?" Marcus wondered, realizing that Mikah personally knew this person.
"Ah! Mikah, my dear. I am just ridding your beauty of this blemish!" Khalid said in an affectionate tone, while glaring daggers at Marcus.
"Marcus! What are you doing!?"
Marcus was at a loss for words, he didn't know what to say about this. Mikah was actually entertaining a Muslim. Speechless, he goes inside. Mikah then says.
"I'm really sorry Khalid, but I must get inside now."
Mikah immediately goes inside to see Marcus. She sees him in deep thought at the dining table. She asks.
"Why did you fight with him?" she asked while folding her arms.
Marcus stayed completely silent.
"I'll ask again, why did you fight with him?"
"Because he was a Muslim, and I am a Crusader." Marcus replied.
Mikah sighed, Marcus was thinking completely backwards. Since her stay in Ylisstol, she had opened up to a few more progressive ideas. Mikah massages her forehead before saying.
"Marcus, you can't just fight people who don't believe in your God."
"It doesn't matter." Marcus said nonchalantly. "I have already pieced together some clues, I already found a way back to Jerusalem."
"Wait, not England?"
"No, I want to go back for Jerusalem."
Mikah was shocked, even then, Marcus was still determined to go back. Mikah also wanted to go back, but not as bad as Marcus. But he wanted to go back on Crusade rather than going back to England. She suddenly sees Marcus packing stuff up, his clothes, his sword, his belongings.
"Marcus…" she tried calling, he didn't answer. "Marcus."
"Marcus!" she tried shouting, but he didn't heed her. "MARCUS!"
Marcus stops in his tracks and stays silent.
"Why? Why are you so desperate to return to a losing battle!? A losing war!? Why are you so intent on doing this even though it might get you killed!? Are you not safer here!?"
Marcus then says.
"Easy for you to say…"
"What?" Mikah asked.
Marcus then turns around, with reddening eyes, pointing an accusing finger
"You have no ties to Europe. In fact, your life here is MUCH better than any common woman's life in Europe. I can see why you think my desire to return to Jerusalem is stupid and irrational."
"Marcus, I didn't mean…" Mikah said, shocked by his outburst. "Marcus I…"
"Frankly, I'm surprised I could hold off the thought as long as I could." Marcus said before adding. "Well you want to know why I so badly wanted to return to the Crusade ever since I got transported to this damned world!?"
Mikah stayed silent.
"It was nearly two days after I caused the death of Mary Charlotte…"
Marcus stayed in his prison cell. He had badly miscalculated his actions, he did not know it would end like this. He knew that the Guines would have his head for this and there was nothing he could do to stop it. But then, a priest came downstairs and said.
"Hello my son, I am a representative of the Pope. I have been sent due to the distress of one of our most valued Templars regarding his squire."
"Father, please, take away these acts I have done! Free me from sin!" Marcus cried.
"I'm afraid I cannot do that. What you have done is a great offense against the Lord and not even I am capable of such forgiveness. Let's not forget that purge you committed against the nobles of Canterbury."
Marcus groveled defeated as he saw no hope.
"However, you are a skilled warrior, and killing you outright will be a sin itself… So instead of executing you, the Church is willing to pardon you in exchange for the following."
"What will it be Father? I am willing to do anything.
"You will not be joining your master in the backlines, but rather, you will be joining the frontlines, among common soldiers. Second, you must join every major battle against the Saracen scum. Lastly, you are forbidden from deserting or running away from the Crusade, you will be considered a heretic and your sins will not be absolved."
"I'll do it."
The priest smiled and said.
"Splendid, we will inform the people of the Church's decision for your pardon."
Mikah gasped at this, she didn't know her supposed death would cause Marcus to suffer that much. She grit her teeth at the manipulation of Marcus by the Church.
"Those bastards! They tricked him into joining the front lines!"
But there was more, Marcus barely scratched the surface.
"It was all my fault, my pride and desire for revenge had taken over my rational thought. I had killed many people before, nobles and infidels. But everyone blamed me when Mary Charlotte died, they called me every name on the list while calling for my execution."
Mikah looked pitifully at Marcus, who was suffering anxiety and disturbance from his memory of the incident.
Numerous voices rang out in Marcus' head as he remembered everything they had said.
"You ran away from the fight!" sounded an accusing voice.
"But I had to save Sir Julian! I didn't mean to run away!
"Bah! You're useless! God will not forgive your sins! And you will always be…"
"A murderer…" echoed the voice in Marcus' head.
Marcus fell to his knees and distress. He couldn't control the tears in his eyes as he felt his resolve break.
"I'm not a murderer… I'm not a murderer… " he said with tears streaming down his face.
Mikah saw Marcus in his moment of weakness, he lived a life where he was robbed of his moral compass, his parents. Beneath his cynical perception and his cool, no non-sense personality, was a confused child. A child that was manipulated by the Church to do wrong against Muslims. And this child is now crying in confusion over what was truly right and wrong and how he could correct his mistakes.
"I haven't told him the truth yet." Mikah said. "But in his moment of weakness, I shouldn't tell him right now."
Mikah tries to gently holds Marcus' crying head and let it rest on her chest.
"The best I can do is just hold him and tell him that it will be alright."
Mikah falls asleep while Marcus cried endlessly. She suddenly has a dream that disturbed her beyond anything she had ever seen.
Mikah walked up to Marcus' room, knocking on the door.
"Marcus! What are you doing? Come out!"
Mikah opens the door, to reveal Marcus with a slit throat, his blood spilled all over the floor. Beside him lay a note.
"Forgive me, Mary Charlotte…"
Mikah looked horrified to see this note. She shakily drops it, but the scene changes to seeing a hanging corpse. The hanging corpse was Marcus, and it was written on the wall.
"MURDERER."
"No. This isn't real, this isn't happening!" Mikah said while trying to run from the sight so disturbing. But the scene changes once again. She saw Marcus standing at the edge of the cliff, ready to walk off.
"No, I have to stop him!" Mikah screamed while running to him. "MARCUS!"
Marcus briefly turns around to look for the voice. But shrugs it off and continues walking off. Mikah comes running to him, but an unseen force stops her. She tries to force her way in to no avail as she watched Marcus walk off the edge.
"Marcus! Please no!"
She sees Marcus fall at the bottom. His corpse faced up, with a very empty stare, signifying his death as Mikah cried at the sight of his dead body.
"TELL HIM BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE…"
Mikah wakes up in shock at her dream, she realizes that Marcus was no longer in her arms. She panics and tries to run to his room. She frantically knocks on his door, screaming.
"Marcus! Marcus! Open up!"
The silence tortured Mikah and she feared the worst. She opens the door and sees Marcus' room tidy and empty. There was no sign of self-harm or attempted suicide.
Mikah briefly calmed down before thinking. Why did he leave so suddenly? What if he was going to do it? What if he went out just to jump off some building? She hurriedly runs downstairs and rushes out the front door, to only be confronted by Marcus wearing his armor. Marcus looks confused to see her run out of the front door.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?"
Mikah briefly collapsed.
Marcus quietly ate his breakfast, with Mikah nervously fidgeting in her seat, as if she was struggling to say something. Marcus did not seem affected by the events of the previous night.
"I'm sorry."
Marcus briefly stops eating and asks.
"Pardon?"
"I'm sorry for criticizing your choice of rejoining the Crusade. It was insensitive of me to not know your predicament."
Marcus sighs and says.
"And I apologize for breaking down like that and lying onto your chest." Marcus said while averting his gaze. "That was very disrespectful of me."
Considering what Marcus had gone through, he shouldn't be apologizing to Mikah.
"Please don't be sorry, knowing what you have gone through, I should never have said something so hurtful." Mikah pleaded. "I know you still hold your love for Europe."
"That begs the question Mikah…" Marcus said, changing the topic. "Do you really want to return to Europe?"
"Didn't I make it clear before?" Mikah asked, confused at the question. "I do miss my home."
"But don't you think that staying here is much better than staying in Europe? You have admirers left and right, you have a flourishing business that earns you a lot of money, you have a high quality of life here."
"That may be so… But what about my family? I still miss them…"
"And bring back your radical ideas? I apologize Mikah, but your ideas of tolerance and equality might get you disowned. You will be choked by this static classes and conservative views. As much as I wish for you to have a good home, Ylisstol is simply a better place than any city and you have grown accustomed to it."
"Uh…" Mikah said with her jaw dropped. "But…"
Mikah was speechless, her two years in Ylisse had completely changed her outlook on life. She had long forgotten the conservative view of her European peers. She was too friendly and too flirty to be a model noble of Europe. If she were back in Europe, they would have thought of her as a whore.
"I may be accustomed to living here and maybe I do want to stay." Mikah admitted, but then said. "But you talk as if you envy me."
"Honestly, I do envy you. You're free from whatever has been holding you down back home. You can choose your lifestyle and determine your future."
Mikah was confused by this, couldn't Marcus just do the same thing?
"I'm sorry, but can't you also do the same thing? You're too far from England and the Templars for them to be able to hurt you."
"This is no longer a point of loyalty Mikah. I may have told Chrom that, but that's not the real reason why I want to return to the Crusade."
"But I thought you were doing it to redeem yourself."
"But at what cost? I have lost too many comrades to the Muslims, I have gotten too involved just to simply give it up. Sir Lucas, Sir Julian… All dead."
Mikah nearly gagged, Sir Julian was DEAD? Marcus didn't just want redemption, he wanted revenge. These Muslim warriors took away those important to him. His reason for attacking Khalid was no mystery.
"What end are you planning to achieve if you succeed in this Crusade?" Mikah asked, still not following Marcus on his point.
Marcus wipes his mouth and sets his plate down.
"When I first joined this Crusade, I wanted to be forgiven of my sins. Now, I just want to avenge my comrades and hopefully, the nightmares will stop."
Mikah felt a sharp pain in her chest as she realized that this all was still her fault. Marcus had gone great lengths to redeem himself from a simple insult that he made. She shuddered at the memory of the dream and she had to make sure.
"Marcus…" she asked softly.
"Yes?" Marcus asked.
"Have you ever contemplated suicide?"
Marcus seemed genuinely surprised to hear this question, but he smiles a tired smile at the thought.
"I would be lying if I said I didn't." he said.
"Have you ever attempted it?"
Marcus cleans his plate and places it on the nearby sink.
"One night, I couldn't handle the pressure of answering for my crimes. I decided to put a blade by my neck and be done with it."
Mikah flinched at that, she didn't expect him to actually think of something like that.
"But Sir Julian stopped me and said, "Don't die a weakling with a sword by his neck, die a martyr with a sword at your side.""
Mikah thought it was now or never. If Marcus couldn't find it in himself to let go of his past, then Mikah would have to tell him everything.
"Marcus, there's something I need to tell you…" Mikah confessed.
"Hm?" Marcus wondered, confused by the change of atmosphere
Mikah was almost about to say her piece, but the chime of the bell prompts her to stand up and open the door. She saw a well-dressed man holding a letter. He bows and hands the letter, saying.
"The Exalt is requesting your presence in the palace immediately."
"Why on such short notice?" Mikah asked.
"Tis an emergency milady. The Exalt wants to speak with both you and Sir Marcus. There is a carriage waiting for you two."
Mikah gives the man a nod and goes back inside. Mikah reads the letter while walking back to the dinner table.
"Who was it?" Marcus asked.
"A representative from the Exalt. She's asking for our presence in her palace."
Marcus immediately puts on his helmet and tightens his armor.
"We shouldn't keep her waiting."
Mikah changed to her outgoing clothes, her usual long-sleeved, white dress with a brown corset that sealed her upper body. Her usual flower hair band and her belt with her rapier on the side. By her side, Marcus wore his full Templar set, with the new tabard making him quite the sight to see. They see the carriage and enter it. The escort closes the carriage door. Mikah tried to distract herself from the awkward silence while Marcus stared outside
"Why would the Exalt ask for us?" Marcus wondered out loud.
"Apparently, Ylisse has declared war on Plegia and Ylisse needs all the help that it can get."
"I still wonder why she needed us specifically."
"She's probably calling on all capable warriors in Ylisse." Mikah guessed. "Mercenaries, veterans and retired military. That's my guess."
"I hope we'll hear the details once we get there."
Chrom and his company had finally returned to Ylisse and everyone gathered to greet their return. Everyone was still shocked to see Hagen's height and build. There were already whispers when they saw him.
"Have you heard? This "Chief Hagen" is the son of a dragon!"
"I wouldn't be surprised if he was a demigod, how else would he have singlehandedly saved the Farfort from those Risen?"
The Danes couldn't help but suppress their laughter at those ridiculous rumors. They knew their chieftain wasn't invincible, but that made it even funnier. Chief Hagen was happy to have his beard, or else the people would have seen how embarrassed he was. He leans down and asks Chrom.
"Where are we headed?"
"We must head straight for the castle, to check on Emm and the others."
"Shouldn't we notify Marcus?" Robin asked.
"That won't be necessary." Chrom replied. "If Emm was serious about organizing the armies, then he should also be at the palace. Our armies are severely undermanned and we need all the help we can get."
Angus smirks as he heard this, he could finally have a go at that damned Englishman.
"Hey! Look that guy in a skirt!" someone shouted in the crowd.
"IT'S A BLOODY KILT, YOU DUMB BASTARD!" Angus screamed, comically trying to choke the bystander while Aiden held him back.
"Now, now. You were the one who didn't want to get kicked from the group." Aiden said while suppressing a smile.
Frederick looked ready to kill as he eyed both Aiden and Angus cautiously. The Shepherds were just thankful that the Earth warriors were the ones getting all the attention. They were getting close to the castle and soon, Chrom would have to meet Marcus there.
Marcus and Mikah stood idly, as they waited for Emmeyn's arrival. They were surrounded by many soldiers and mercenaries.
"Mikah!" a voice called.
Mikah turns to see Khalid running up to her excitedly.
"Khalid! What are you doing here?" she asks.
"The Exalt wanted the mercenaries to join the fight, so I decided to see if the pay was good."
Marcus notices them but decides to hold it off for now. If Mikah didn't want him to fight then so be it. He'll be able to do it once he gets back to Jerusalem. Khalid notices Marcus in the background.
"Is that Crusader really a friend of yours?" Khalid asked, disappointed.
"Yes, he's been through a lot so please give him a break." Mikah pleaded. "He's lost plenty of his comrades."
"So what? I've been through a lot too because of soldiers like him. Maybe if he didn't attack so many of my people, his comrades would have still been alive."
Marcus overheard that, he gritted his teeth at the statement. That was it. He stands up and walks towards Khalid. Khalid then draws his scimitars as they come close to dueling. But Mikah draws her rapier and sets it between the two.
"I will not let you two fight like this." Mikah warned.
Marcus and Khalid briefly stared down each other and a truce was about to be called. But Marcus makes a maneuver with his blade, knocking Mikah's rapier out of her hand. Mikah looks at Marcus, shocked by his move.
"I can't let him dishonor Sir Julian's sacrifice." Marcus said, emotionless. "Not even you can stop me."
"Bastard! You have some nerve to pull that against Mikah!" Khalid growled.
"Like I'd listen to a goat-herder."
"Grrrr…"
Marcus is the first one to strike, swiping at Khalid. Khalid ducks and tries a thrust at Marcus' visor. Marcus ducks and bashes Khalid's stomach. Khalid staggers, so Marcus takes the time to bash his shield to his face and kick him back. Khalid quickly recovers and slices Marcus joints, causing Marcus to falter in his movements. Marcus' shield strap breaks once again and he was left again with his sword only.
"I swear to Christ, Mikah!" Marcus cursed. "You sold me the shield with the worst strap ever!"
Mikah could only feel distraught by this display. She could only blame herself for Marcus' attitude. She wondered what it would have been like if she had not run away, maybe Marcus would actually have been more civil. But here she saw him, resorting to violence to confront her other friend.
Marcus then struggles against the dual-wielding Khalid. He struggles to block as Khalid relentlessly assaulted him. Marcus then finds an opening in Khalid's attack, he kicks Khalid's shins and then changes the grip of his sword to hit Khalid with the guard of his sword, a murderstroke to silence his attack. While Khalid was dazed, Marcus knees his stomach and slams him down. Marcus was just about to call it a victory but then he saw another man run towards him.
"Is that man wearing a green plaid kilt? He kind of looks like a Scottish noble, but there was no way that he could be…"
His thoughts were interrupted by the man trying to strike him with a sword. Marcus barely dodges it, the sword grazing his armor. Marcus then tries to thrust at him, but a recovered Khalid wakes up and parries the blow of Marcus. But shockingly, the man in the kilt elbows Khalid in the face.
"What in Allah's name?" Khalid questioned. "Why are you attacking me!? We're on the same side!"
"Stay out of this Saracen, this is my quarrel against the English!" he said in a heavy accent.
"Don't do it Angus!" shouted a voice from afar.
Khalid then tries to strike Angus but he blocks his strike. But Marcus comes in and hits Angus with the blunt end of his sword. Khalid tries a strike against Marcus but Marcus parries it away. Both Khalid and Angus try a strike at Marcus' head, with Marcus raising his sword to block both strikes. Marcus then kicks back the Scotsman and then duels with Khalid again.
Khalid tries another endless assault, trying to find any openings in Marcus defense. He sees an opportunity for two overhead strikes. He tries to strike from above with both swords, but Marcus blocks both strikes and then slides his blade to hit Khalid's face with the pommel. He then slashes his side then kicks him down. As Marcus stared down Khalid's body, he turns to face the Scottish opponent, to see the Scotsman throw something at him.
Marcus gets stunned by the thrown pommel, so Angus rushes in to knock him down with a punch, ending Marcus rightly. As Angus roared in victory, he saw another fist fly towards his face. He briefly sees some stars before collapsing. Mikah recoils her hand and breathes heavily in anger after her outburst.
The Shepherds stared quite a bit at the scene, with Sully and Lissa wearing an impressed face at Mikah's punch. Maribelle wore a face of disgust at the uncouth display. The men were quite shocked to see that Mikah had knocked out a man in a single punch, while the Danes were just applauding that marvelous blow. Aiden was the only one face-palming as he knew that Angus had it coming. Robin approaches Mikah from behind and taps her on the shoulder.
"WHAT!?" Mikah asked in a demonic tone.
"Er, you dropped your rapier…" Robin said meekly, handing her rapier from the ground.
Robin quietly slipped away as he knew the consequences of confronting a wrathful woman, especially one that knocked the Scotsman out cold in a single, angry punch.
There we go! The gang has finally gathered at the castle! Will Khalid and Marcus ever be on good terms?
Questions:
1. What is "ending him rightly"?
2. What year were the Templars established in England?
3. If there are any people here with Muslim knowledge, can you tell me how Khalid should act with the Shepherds and the Earthlings?
Assasination of Emmeryn coming up next chapter!