Marcus wakes up to the light of day, it was morning. He stretches up and down, and then dons his gambesson, then his chainmail, then his armor. He slowly opens the door, to hear silence in the hallway. He looks around for Mikah, but sees nothing. He gives the pup some leftover food. He thinks to himself.
"Mikah's been ignoring and avoiding me for a few days now. I wonder if I did anything wrong."
Marcus frowned at the thought and just kept himself busy. He leaves the pup some food before walking out, forgetting his shield while making his way to the Knight Academy for another day at work. But something is amiss, he sees a large crowd gathered outside.
"GIVE US THE PLEGIAN! GIVE US THE PLEGIAN! JUSTICE FOR THE KNIGHTS! JUSTICE FOR THE KNIGHTS!"
Marcus pushes his way through the crowd to see a large shield wall positioned at the gate of the Academy. He peeks into the shield wall and asks.
"What is happening!?"
"A group of male knights from the other Academy have been found dead near Academy premises! And they're blaming it on one of the students."
"I heard that, you think we're dumb!? Give us the Plegian, or we will riot!" one man spat.
Marcus then turns his attention to the crowd, and draws his sword. He smacks to the ground and stands strong.
"You are not allowed to enter Academy premises without the Headmistress' permission."
"Don't throw your lot in with these bastards! They're protecting a Plegian! Those freaks slaughtered hundreds of us in the war! Why protect them?"
Hearing that triggered a flashback to one of Marcus' olden days in Jerusalem.
"Give us the Muslims! Give us the Muslims!" the crowd shouted, trying to break into the muslim community.
"Fellow knights! Do not falter, they will disperse!" Sir Julian shouted as he stood in front of the riot.
"With all due respect Sir, why are we protecting these infidels?" Marcus asked while bashing another cocky rioter.
"That is because, if we slaughter these Muslims, then what makes us any better than those Muslim bandits?"
"But they are faithless sire! What good would come from letting them live?"
"Because my dear squire, we do this because we expect the Saracens do the same for our prisoners, should any of our Christian brothers be captured, we may sleep at night knowing that they are in merciful hands. Muslims may be a faithless bunch, but they are certainly not dishonorable."
Marcus could remember seeing Layla in class quiet, silent. She only seemed to talk to her friends but Marcus knew how she scarred by the abuse she and her family suffered at the bigoted Ylisseans who hated the Plegians. He recognized the bruises on her body from her trying to protect her father. She may have been descended from those wretches, but that gives those Ylisseans no right to abuse her and her family like that.
"You place the sins of a kingdom on the shoulders of a single innocent child." Marcus spat. "You're no better than the Plegian lot you're trying to kick out. If it were up to me, I'd throw you out and leave you to the Plegian bandits."
"You cocky little—" the peasant cursed as he tried to hit Marcus with his axe.
Marcus grabs the peasant's hand and pulls it down, then elbowing the man's face, making an audible crack as the man fell over with a broken nose. The crowd grows angrier.
"Move out of the way, we're getting that Plegian girl! One way or the other!"
"Make me." Marcus taunted.
One peasant tries a strike on Marcus. Marcus parries the strike and bashes the man's head with his sword's pommel. He then ducks another peasant charging at him and throws him over, before stomping on his chest, cracking his ribs. He then kicks another one in the crotch before uppercutting another charging peasant with his free hand. But the fight is interrupted by the arrival of a posh-looking man on a horse, holding out a paper.
"By order of the mayor, we are authorized to enter the Academy to search for evidence and capture any suspects. Move over, or you will be punished accordingly!" he declared rather smugly.
Two Ylissean knights dismounted, wielding a spear and shield, with their unusually large pauldrons intimidating Marcus. Marcus does not move over and before the situation escalates, a shout is heard.
"There is no need to enter!"
Everyone turns their heads to a young man in the crowd, wearing his spangenhelm and his dual-wielding axes. It was Rune, who seemed to be standing tall as he walked up to the nobleman.
"I killed those knights, it wasn't anyone inside the Academy."
The nobleman sneered however.
"Ha! Don't think your heroic deed saved your little friend!"
Rune's eyes widened as he heard the nobleman's words.
"That's right! We know of your relation to one of the students here! To be fair my friend, you should have left her to suffer at those boys anyway, she's a Plegian after all."
Marcus grit his teeth at those cruel-sounding words, but Rune was feeling a LOT angrier.
"You bastard… You think you have the right to do this?" Rune said with an audible growl.
"We are merely keeping them out of our country, they spoil everything for us anyway." The noble said nonchalantly.
Rune's head began to twitch as his blood boiled. He was so close to bursting as he said.
"If Plegians spoil everything for you, then a Dane will completely ruin your day."
The noble had no time to react as an axe lodged itself into his head. Marcus realized that the berserker rage had awakened.
"Everyone! Step back! This man is too dangerous to fight on your own!" Marcus warned as everyone backed up in fear.
Meanwhile…
Chrom walked on his way to the Academy, as he tried to ignore any curious onlookers.
"Rune has been acting pretty strange this morning, and he seemed to be in quite a hurry."
Chrom stops by a nearby farmer and asks.
"Have you seen a strange man wearing chain armor? Wielding two axes?"
"Yes milord! He seemed to be making his way to the Academy up ahead!"
"The academy huh? I've never been there, though Emm keeps telling me I should someday. Maybe today's that day."
Chrom jogs a bit as he makes his way to the Academy.
Marcus and the other two Ylissean knights slowly circle Rune, who was breathing heavily from his rage.
"So this is the true wrath of a Viking Berserker."
One knight tries to stab Rune, but Rune sidesteps and holds down the spear with his axe. He then uses his free hand to throw the axe at the knight's exposed neck, killing the knight. Rune then runs to the knight to pick up his axe and plunges both axe onto another knight's armor, lodging far in enough for Rune to throw him into a nearby ditch. It was just Marcus and Rune now, Marcus circled Rune as Rune snarled at him.
"Rune! Wake up! You can't just kill people like this!"
"They weren't human enough anyway." Rune said with a growl.
Marcus mentally nodded at that statement, agreeing to what Rune had just said. But Rune then attacks Marcus with a fury, with Marcus put on the defense. Rune tries an overhead strike but Marcus parries it and kicks Rune in the back. Marcus tries a strike but Rune catches it and headbutts Marcus back. Marcus staggers back while putting up a defensive stance.
"He was never this good back at Ferox!"
Marcus could see a certain blue-haired man come in the distance. Chrom was running to them screaming.
"What's all this commotion!?"
Rune throws an axe at Chrom, who barely unsheathes his sword in time to block it. Rune walks up and picks his axes, getting into stance.
"Marcus, what's happening!?"
"Rune's gone berserk! He's taken down two knights with little effort! Be alert!"
Hearing this, Chrom got even more serious, a person who could defeat Ylisse's finest was one who shouldn't be underestimated.
Rune stood there, ready to take them both on as they all got into stance. The silence reigned as Marcus and Chrom stared at their opponent. Rune begins by throwing his axe at Marcus, who blocks it. Rune picks up his axe midair and starts a barrage on Marcus, who has a hard time defending. Chrom comes in from behind and tries to assist Marcus, but Rune elbows Chrom's face and kicks his gut, sending him back. The crowd gasped at this.
"He attacked the prince!? How is he even holding his own?"
Marcus tries a slash but Rune blocks it, then kicks Marcus back before catching Chrom's strike, pulling Chrom in and head-butting him. He then ducks under a swipe by Marcus. Rune then kicks Marcus' shin and knees the poor man. Though Marcus had armor to protect him, that bow had resonated through his gut, making him feel a bit queasy. Chrom tries his own barrage of strikes but Rune parries them with ease. Marcus tries another charge. Rune then holds his two axes up high, blocking the strikes from both fighters. He then punches Chrom in the face and knee him in the gut.
Marcus then sneaks up from behind and bashes Rune with his pommel. That serves only to make Rune angrier as he charged at Marcus. Rune hooks onto Marcus' helmet and removes it, leaving Marcus' face exposed. Rune repeatedly bashes Marcus' face, leaving it bloody. Chrom comes in to save Marcus, but Rune catches Chrom's strike and slams him down, but not before smashing his foot down on Chrom's chest, causing Chrom to scream in pain as the crowd grew panicked at Rune's fury. But Marcus barely stands up and tackles Rune to a tree. Marcus then pins down Rune and repeatedly punches his face, with Rune savagely trying to release himself. Marcus then slams his two fists down on Rune's face, making Rune feel the cold steel of Marcus' gauntlets hit his jaw as Rune finally slumped over, defeated.
Marcus stood up and limped to Chrom's body, who seemed shocked from that powerful strike by Rune. Marcus offers a hand and Chrom grabs it, both nearly falling over due to their injuries. Chrom panted while asking.
"How was he that good? He didn't even show a fraction of that strength back in Ferox."
"I don't know… Maybe Chief Hagen can give us some answers, but for now, let's get you a healer."
As Marcus supported Chrom while limping their way inside the Academy, he looks at the guards and says.
"Bring him inside."
"Milord, are you sure—"
"Yes I am, I'd rather not leave him out here to slaughter the peasantry." Marcus said while glancing at the crowd of onlookers, who seemed to have overheard him as they scurried away, cowed by the fury Rune had displayed.
Marcus limped as he tried to bring his companion inside as numerous students stood, shocked to see such a fierce battle.
Marcus opened his eyes, to see that he was in the Academy infirmary. His wounds were bandaged up and not yet fully healed. He glanced to his left to see Chrom being healed by Lissa, who looked worried sick at Chrom's condition.
"I told you… I'm fine. If Marcus wasn't there, I would've been much worse."
"Just stay still Chrom, I'll have you stitched up!"
Marcus then glanced to his right, to see Rune being watched over by Layla, Felix and Chief Hagen. Chief Hagen notices Marcus' awakening and sits down near him. Marcus notices Hagen's change of clothing. Instead of the leather and scale armor that Chief Hagen always wore, his body was now covered in chainmail and even plate armor. His helmet was no longer rusty and sported even larger horns.
"So, you seem geared up." Marcus commented.
"Oh this? With courtesy of the Exalt, I was able to get an upgrade for my gear." Hagen added.
Marcus goes into a fit of coughs with Hagen feeling a bit concerned.
"Are you doing well?"
"Just a broken face and cracked ribs." Marcus remarked dryly.
"I see you've felt the brunt of the Berserker rage."
"But why doesn't Rune use it more often? He was never like this in any battle from what I recall."
"That's because Rune chooses to suppress it and fight without it."
"But won't his Berserker rage make things easier?"
"That depends on your definition of easier." Chief Hagen clarified. "Rune could easily kill a hundred unskilled men in his rage, but how can he stop himself from killing the wrong people? He can't tell who's friend or foe in his rage. Why grow dependent on something when you can't even spar without killing your sparring partner? This rage he holds is a blessing and a curse. You see, when he trains, it's not because he wants to get better at fighting, it's because he wants to get better at holding back."
Marcus listened intently to what else Hagen had to say.
"Rune is a special one, even I had difficulty subduing him when he was a child." Hagen said before chuckling. "As you can see, we aren't your average run-of-the-mill Vikings either."
Marcus hears the door open and sees Emmeryn and her guard walk in, Marcus also notices Mikah walk in and pretends to be unconscious. He could only hear the voices.
"Rune! I'm so glad you're okay!" Mikah voiced out.
"I'm fine but… don't you usually do this with Marcus?"
"But you're my uncle! Shouldn't I greet my family first?"
"Yes, but I feel like you're trying to find a reason not to pay attention to Marcus.
The reality of those words crushed Marcus. If Mikah was going this far to avoid him then she must really hate him right now. But Marcus didn't know what he did wrong as he mentally kicked himself for any wrongdoing he might have done that made Mikah avoid him. But he hears another presence enter the room.
"Oh my gods, Chrom are you okay!?" Emmeryn could be heard.
"No worries Emm, haha. I was lucky that Marcus was there to save my sorry hide!"
"Which brings us to our next issue." the knight commander's voice could be heard, laced with venom. "Our Dane here has committed the crime of killing a noble, two knights and the assault of Royalty.
"But he didn't mean it! It was his inner rage!" Mikah protested.
"Regardless, he has broken the law and should be punished accordingly."
"Don't defend me Mikah, I am well aware of what I've done, and Chief Hagen knows it as well."
"Yes, Rune is in your full custody, he has gotten himself into this mess and it is right that he takes care of it himself."
"Y-You can't be serious!" Layla pleaded.
"Now, now Cullen, while Rune has to face charges for hurting Chrom, it is only fair that we give him trial." Emmeryn added kindly.
"But under who's culture?" Hagen questioned. "May I remind you that our ideas of law and order differ."
Marcus chooses to listen more as he tried to fake his sleep.
Tensions were high in the room as Hagen and Rune braced anything the Exalt might throw at them for Rune's crimes against Ylisse and her people. Emmeryn gave Hagen an expectant look as she tried to not look disturbed from Chrom's injuries.
"What would be your means of trial?" Emmeryn asked.
"Ordeal by fire, we either have Rune walk 9 paces with a piece of hot iron in his hands, if he fails then he is guilty, or we have him walk 12 paces on hot iron, if his wounds are found clean within the next 3 days, then he is innocent."
All the Ylisseans in the room were increasingly appalled by what Hagen suggested. Rune may have been a criminal, but having him undergo that much pain during trial seemed barbaric.
"And you frequently practice this back in Denmark?" Emmeryn asked with wide eyes.
"O-ho yes, I did a few naughty things when I was a lad." Hagen added with a laugh while bringing up his hands, showing a deep red scar on his hands. "I passed the trial of fire plenty of times, I have a few more scars on my feet and a few on my back for when I actually had to be punished."
Emmeryn gave the knight commander a worried look as they eyed each other, unsure of what to make of this.
"Please Your Excellence!" Layla pleaded. "Don't throw Rune in jail!"
"Emm, wait! Before you consider throwing Rune in jail, please listen to me!"
"Hold your tongue, young prince." the knight commander warned. "Don't let your friendship with this man sway you from the law, you're lucky that your sister is even giving him mercy by throwing him in jail. If it were your father, it would have been the chopping block."
"That is quite enough, Cullen. Let my brother speak." Emmeryn said kindly, before turning to Chrom. "What is it you like to speak?"
"Sister, I know that Rune has broken the law extensively, even beyond that of freedom and bail, but throwing him into jail will be a waste of his talents. If you wish to punish him, force him into unconditional service for the kingdom. Gods know we need talent like his."
"That's not a bad proposal. Granted, it is still up to Rune whether or not this proposal is acceptable."
"Well Rune, do you wish to offer your skills in exchange for pardon?" Emmeryn asks.
"I will do anything to have myself fully redeemed madam."
"Then so be it, you are to serve as a forced soldier for Ylisse until your punishment expires."
"But milady—"
"No protests, my word is final." Emmeryn said before nodding at Chrom.
"Milady please! For our sake, please do not let this man accompany us tomorrow, for your safety."
Chrom froze as he realized that Rune may not be joining them after all.
"Very well then, Rune will be left with Marcus to defend Ylisse."
"Emm! You don't understand!"
"I'm sorry Chrom, but Rune is simply too much a liability for us to bring, if you have any problem with it, take it up with Hagen."
Chrom turned to Hagen expectantly.
"I will not overstep my boundaries prince, I am already satisfied with Rune's stay here."
And with that, Chief Hagen walked out, followed by Mikah, then Layla.
Chrom slumped in his bed, with Lissa being strangely quiet throughout the whole discussion.
"Chrom… Are you scared about tomorrow?"
"I really hope that nothing goes wrong for Emm, Lissa. We've already gone so far with trusting people like Robin and Hagen to help us, I just hope the blame doesn't shift on them should we fail."
Marcus could no longer feel the presence of anyone else in the room and wakes up.
"Oh hey, you're awake." Rune voiced out.
"Yeah… I just didn't want to involve myself in that drama." Marcus joked.
Lissa turns to Marcus and said.
"Marcus, could you take off your bandages? I need to see your injuries."
Marcus unwraps the bandage covering his face, and the extent of his injuries made Lissa's hairs stand on end.
"Marcus… What happened to your face? Gods, I can't even see your normal face!"
"No thanks to Mister Berserker over there." Marcus said sarcastically before spitting out some blood.
"But… I haven't even seen something this bad!"
"That's just my face Lissa, pretty sure others had worse."
Lissa gulped in as she tried to stay firm while staring at Marcus' bloody face.
"Marcus, stay still. You'll be stitched up in no time!"
Lissa gives Marcus healing magic as he felt his body return to its rightful state. He cracks his neck and stretches before standing up.
"Ah, that feels good." Marcus said as he stood up. "Are you standing up yet Chrom?"
"Nah, I think I need a little breather from that fight." Chrom added. "Rune really did a number on both of us."
"Suit yourself." Marcus said while walking out.
As soon as Marcus left, Chrom sighed.
"It really seems so stiff when Marcus is around." Chrom sighed.
"You sure? I think he's pretty cool!"
"Yes, he's a good man, but he seems so… distant. He interacts with us yes, but he seems so hollow when he speaks, like he always puts up a guard whenever he speaks."
"I wouldn't put it past him." Rune commented. "He's not used to all the change that's happening and he basically doesn't feel the same."
"But why would he not be casual around us? We've been through a lot together already!" Lissa added.
"He still longs for home Lissa." Chrom added. "And I wouldn't blame him for that."
Marcus sighed as he sat at the water's edge, he was lost in thoughts all alone, staring wistfully at the lake.
"What am I even doing here? I should be back at home, defending Jerusalem… Hell, Mikah doesn't even want me here."
"But Marcus, the Lord had told you to stay. He promise that you would find what you were looking for."
"But what am I looking for? Forgiveness? I've already put that behind me yet here I am, still in a land that's not even my own."
"Even God, the Lord and Creator told you to stay yet you still want to leave?"
"I-I do not know okay!? Zilch, nada. Not. A. Thing."
Marcus' internal struggle was interrupted by a soothing male voice.
"What is troubling you my son?"
Marcus looks up to see Father Aiden smiling down on him. He tries to stand but the priest stops him.
"Be still, I only need your words." Aiden said while sitting down.
"Father, how did you get inside?"
"Maribelle and the other Shepherds arrived to pay respects to Prince Chrom in the infirmary, i just came as a guest. Now tell me, why do you seem so troubled?"
Marcus sighed as he stared at the horizon of the lake.
"I'm torn on whether or not I should leave Ylisse and go back home."
Aiden seemed to be surprised by this.
"But did the Lord not tell you to stay? Will you even dare disobey His orders?"
"I-I don't know… I thought that divine vision would answer everything, but it only left me with more questions."
"God has given you the mission of helping these people and you consider tossing it aside?"
"No, I wouldn't dare disobey Him, but what is left for me when this is all over? Sure, the Shepherds will grant me honors and the like, but…" Marcus paused before sighing. "It feels shallow that I was merely brought here to save the lives of the innocents, when I could just do the same thing back at home. Is there no higher purpose for me here? Than to just do the same things I've always done for stranger nation."
Surprisingly, Father Aiden laughed.
"Marcus, Marcus. You forget that God gave us free will, it may be His will that you help these people but after that, it's all up to you."
"Really? That's it? I just help out then I'm left alone in this nation? I just stay here? Hell, Mikah doesn't even want me here."
"Marcus, you know that you're not alone."
"No! I AM ALONE! I may be acquaintances with these peoples but at the end of the day I'm just a foreigner to this land. I'm too proud, too stubborn to become one of them. I am English and I refuse to change any of that!"
"But what makes you any different from the other Europeans who came here?" Aiden asked, thinking he caught Marcus at a corner.
"That's because you came with friends." Marcus spat. "And made new ones too."
Marcus stormed off, with Aiden left to reflect on what Marcus had told him.
Marcus didn't feel like going back, he felt more at peace by the river, under a tree. He eats a stray apple that had fallen not to far from the tree as he watched the sunset.
"Why? Why do I feel so empty, so uncertain? If God wills it, then DEUS VULT, I'll do it! But why am I feeling so stubborn about not staying here?"
With these thoughts in mind, Marcus fell asleep on a tree, but he hears a whisper.
Do you wish to return home?
Marcus wakes up and sees an apparition of a man in a cloak stand before him. The man himself wore a strange mask over his hood.
"Excuse me?"
I asked if you wanted to return home? Do you even want to stay here?
"I mean, the Lord told me to, so…"
No, no, no. Ignore that. There is nothing for you here, come with me, if you want to go home.
This caught Marcus' attention. as he lashed out.
"Wait! Who the hell are you!?"
But the figure turns into a glowing orb and disappears into the forest. Marcus makes the choice of running after him as he frantically tries to run after the orb. He hears a whisper saying.
Yes, yes, you're getting closer!
Marcus wondered what the voice meant as he ran after the magical figure. He does not lose concentration as he tried to follow the magical light that seemed to dodge his eyesight every time he blinked. But Marcus soon stops at a glowing light at the edge of the forest. His eyes widened as he saw the light. He notices all his belongings on the floor, his shield that he left home, his books, his satchel and even his pouch of herbs.
"What are these doing here?"
He sees the magical swirl right in front of him as he stepped forward.
Enter this portal, and you'll be home
"B-but, what about—"
Don't you want to return home, to Jerusalem? To your TRUE calling?
Marcus felt tempted by the offer, but he felt something wrong.
"I can't."
Your god won't hurt you, just enter…
"No, I have a mission to accomplish, I can't leave."
And what? Go back to your girl? Have a better life? Get real boy, nobody wants you here.
Marcus could hear the voices talk of him as he heard all the Shepherd voices on him.
"It really seems so stiff when Marcus is around." Chrom's voice sounded out.
"He can't be trusted." the knight commander voiced.
"He seems to be a religious nut."
"I had to avoid him for good reason." Mikah voiced.
The last one really stung for Marcus as he felt more inclined to jump into the portal. He closed his eyes as he got into stance to jump.
But then it hit him, even if he was left with nothing to do after saving Ylisse, he could still make a life for himself. He didn't need companionship or familiar faces to help him cope with his change of environment, as long as he held the Lord close to his heart, he would never falter. He looks at his wrist, where the rosary stayed tied, making Marcus remember Julian's words before Marcus ran from the bandits.
"Since I will no longer be here, the Lord will be your Shepherd, he will always be there to help you and to save you from all perils, just call out to him and he will beckon."
Marcus knew that he wasn't alone anymore, he had forgotten about Julian's gift to him. With the rosary in his hand, he beat his chest, keeping his knighthood close to his heart.
"Run! Don't look back, just run!"
Marcus knew that Julian didn't mean that Marcus should stay in some unknown world. Not even the wisest man would have expected this. But if Marcus was transported to some unknown world instead of being left to die in the desert, then God still had something great for him. Marcus realized that there was a reason he left his world, because he serves a greater purpose in this land.
"No, I won't go back. I have a greater purpose here in this land."
No! You must go back home, just jump!
"No, I won't. I have found my purpose here. I may not truly know what it is but I have found meaning in my place in this land."
You're bluffing.
"No, I'm not. And to prove my point, I will recite my Oath."
NO!
Marcus took his rosary, put it close to his chest and closed his eyes as he recited:
"Be loyal of hands and mouth, and serve every man as best you may. Seek the fellowship of good men; hearken to their words and remember them. Be humble and courteous wherever thou go, boasting not nor talking overmuch, neither be dumb altogether.
Look to it that no lady or damsel be in reproach through your default, nor any woman of whatsoever quality. And if you fall into company where men speak with disrespect of any woman, show by gracious words that it pleaseth you not, and depart.
The office of knight is to promote faith in Jesus Christ as Lord of Lords, King of Kings and the only Savior and to protect those who seek to worship in His name any where upon the face of this land that He had brought me to.
By God's grace, I will stay in the land called Ylisse and serve its citizens, not for my gain but in His name."
Marcus felt the breeze fill him with holy vigor as he felt reassured by his decision. He was strong now, and there was no going back. But the spirit seemed enraged.
SO BE IT. LET THIS OPPORTUNITY DISAPPEAR.
Marcus watched as the portal disappeared and he found himself standing near a ledge.
"So he was trying to trick me into jumping. Not even Satan can stop me, I have made my decision."
Marcus looked over and found himself to be extremely far from Ylisse, as he saw the castle in the distance. He paused for a bit as he tried to comprehend how far he had traveled in his hallucination.
"HOW THE HELL DID I GET SO FAR FROM YLISSTOL!?"
Marcus sighed to himself as he saw all his belongings.
"And I have to bring all of these back to Mikah's house. Curse that spirit for tricking me."
Marcus grumbled as he picked up his items, packing them into his bag. But from the forest, a figure was watching him. It was Lucina, who seemed relieved to see him okay.
"Phew, he overcame the temptation." Lucina sighed in relief. "I feared that Grima would be taking advantage of Marcus' emotional vulnerability. But looks like those fears have been put to rest."
But from further above, the same cloaked man from before had witnessed everything.
Curses, my plan in tricking Marcus had failed. If only I had my full power right now, I would have obliterated him. But these ghostly apparitions will have to do.
And with that, the spirit dematerializes into thin air.
Mikah came home, weary from all the diplomatic crap she had to deal with. Since she was Flavia's champion, she would be a prime diplomat in their negotiations with Regna Ferox. But she was tired, and she needed a nap.
"I'm home!" Mikah called out.
"Marcus usually wakes up to that." Mikah thought. "Looks like Marcus isn't home yet."
She opens the door, to only see the pup, lying beside the food given to it. She ignores that and goes upstairs, she stares at the door of Marcus' room, blushing while thinking.
"No, I can't face him, not with these feelings clouding my judgement. I need to sort them out before I can talk to him."
Mikah looks at the surroundings and sees it relatively quiet.
"What could be keeping Marcus out so late?"
Mikah goes into her room and sits on the bed. Mikah notices that her sheets were getting a bit stinky.
"Crap, I forgot to throw these away. I left a few spares in Marcus' room, I'll just grab those."
Mikah walks into Marcus' room and blindly searches the room for any of the sheets. But she feels something wrong.
"Wait… Marcus' room is usually messier than this, why am I not feeling any clutter?"
Mikah turns on the lamp and sees the room empty. The armor stand, the table and even shelves, clear of Marcus' belongings. Mikah tries comprehend what happened as she looked at everything.
"W-What happened!? Were we robbed!?"
Mikah shakes her head as she tries to straighten her thoughts.
"No, if there were robbers then they would have taken everything!"
As Mikah tried to look for any clue to the disappearance of Marcus' belongings, she sees a crumpled piece of paper. Considering that Marcus' room was spotless, it was a little out of place. Mikah opens the paper and sees writing it.
It's been more than two weeks since I've been staying with Mikah and I notice that she's starting to avoid me now. It was probably something bad I did over the week but I can't tell what. When I get home, she's already asleep. When I try to call her, she ignores me. Whenever I enter her conversation with her friends, she just leaves quickly. And when I try to confront her, she just weasels her way out.
Honestly, not knowing why she's avoiding me is bad enough, but it's getting repetitive and it's distressing me. I think I might have to consider moving out. If I have offended Mikah so greatly that she would go great lengths to avoid me, then maybe I don't belong here anymore. Maybe—
The text ends there, together with a huge scribble, representing Marcus' frustration.
Mikah's heart stopped as she read the letter, she didn't think it would go this far.
"No, it can't be… Did he…?"
Mikah frantically searched the room for any signs of Marcus staying she opens drawers, forcefully opens cabinets. She takes out the pillow to see a bag of gold accompanied with a note.
Rent payment, in case renter is not home, please collect.
"No, no, no! This is all wrong! I didn't mean for Marcus to leave! I thought he was doing fine!"
Mikah rushes to put on her cloak as she slammed the door and ran outside, with the pup following close behind. She frantically searched the streets, shouting.
"Marcus! Marcus! Come out!"
She ran across the districts, thinking to herself.
"I have to undo my wrongs. I never meant for this to happen! Please Marcus, if you're out there, come back!"
Marcus grumbled to himself as he carried his package while walking back to Ylisstol.
"Ugh, just a few more miles to cover… God help me, these are getting heavy…"
"Marcus! Maaaaaarcus!" Mikah called out while roaming the streets, this was her second circle around the district.
"Put a sock in it!" someone grumbled.
Mikah was looking tired, but she did not give up. She was never receptive to Marcus' emotions and yet she cared so much about hers.
"She would go great lengths to avoid me." was what echoed in the poor girl's mind.
"No Marcus, you have it all wrong. This is all MY fault. You think I hate you when it's the complete opposite in reality. I have so much to tell you, yet I feel so afraid that you would hate me. Now I have paid the price for my ignorance. If you are out there, please, come back!"
The pup followed along as Mikah tried to search the streets, but she soon grows tired as she enters the main road, near the main gate. She begins to cough as fatigue overtook her. The pup cuddles up to her as she thinks.
"Marcus… I love you. Don't leave me… Like this…"
Mikah comes close to collapsing, but she sees a figure in the night, a lantern in the distance. Without much energy left, Mikah tries to crawl towards the figure, but her crawling takes forever as the figure seemed so faraway. Mikah squinted, as to get a better look of the figure, but she saw the print. A Templar's Cross on the chest. It was Marcus and he had returned from God knows where. Mikah had tears flow down her eyes in joy as she was finally relieved to see her beloved knight return to her.
"Marcus… You came back…"
"Mikah?" Marcus expressed worriedly as he saw a familiar figure. "Mikah!?"
Marcus ran over to the woman lying on the street. He picks up her bridal-style as he looked at her face.
"Mikah! What happened!? Why are you out here so late!?"
Mikah didn't speak as she stroked Marcus' cheek, her warm breath turning into fog. Her eyes glistened with the tears in her eyes.
"Lord help me, she's burning up! The fever is making her delirious."
Marcus looked at her face, her eyes seemed rather happy, considering that she was suffering delirium. Her smile was something to remember, as if she was relieved, like a great weight had been had been put off her shoulders. If it weren't for her burning forehead, Marcus would be assuming that she was healthy.
"Marcus…" Mikah whispered as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Shhhh…" Marcus comforted as he neared Anna's Shop. "Let's get you inside."
Marcus runs into the house, with the pup in tow. He slams the door and runs upstairs to Mikah's room.
"Crap, she locked the door. My room will have to do."
Marcus opens his room and lays Mikah on his bed, Mikah begins to lose consciousness as Marcus began to set down all his things and prepare to take care of Mikah.
"Marcus!" Mikah called out as she ran towards the familiar figure.
The figure turns, revealing Marcus with a face of disgust.
"You didn't tell me." he said coldly.
"Tell you what?" Mikah asked.
"Don't play dumb with me, Marie Charlotte."
Mikah froze at that.
"Marcus please, I needed time to—"
"Do you know how much I suffered?"
"Marcus you have to understand—"
Marcus suddenly disappears into thin air.
"Marcus!? Where are you?"
Mikah was then transported to the battlefield, she sees a familiar face in the frontlines. It was Marcus, and he was holding a Schiltrom formation against charging cavalry. A charging Mamluk causes Marcus to get thrown across as he keeled over in pain.
"Marcus!" Mikah screamed as she tried to run to his aid, but the scene changed to black.
"I have broken bones…" Marcus voiced out.
Mikah then saw Marcus get stabbed by an ambushing Hashashim. Though the strike it wasn't fatal as Marcus still stabbed the neck of the warrior before throwing him off his body.
"I have bled so much…"
The scene changed to Marcus getting shot in the chest by an arrow, he broke the arrow shaft as he concentrated on fighting.
"I have charged into the fray so many times…"
Marcus was then shown jumping off a tower as he held tightly onto his hand, which was badly scorched from the artillery fire.
"I have felt so much pain…"
Marcus was then cradling a soldier in his arms, he shed tears as he looked up to the sky and screamed in sorrow and anguish.
"I have felt true loss…"
Marcus was then shown kneeling at the graves of his many comrades.
"All because I had slighted you and you ran away."
Mikah was too horrified to see what Marcus had experienced.
"B-But the Church tricked you into this, it wasn't my fault!"
"But they threw me into this mess thinking that you were dead!" Marcus shouted back. "And yet, here you are. Rich, beloved and famous among these men in your new life."
Mikah saw scenes of admirers giving her gifts, of her receiving so much wealth, being surrounded by women and men who admired her looks and skills.
"Now what did I accomplish? Now that you're actually alive and well. Did I just go through all that for NOTHING!?"
"M-Marcus!" Mikah trembled. "Don't say that!"
"Are you telling me that all that pain, sorrow and anguish could have been prevented if you had just turned back instead of running off!?"
Mikah couldn't bear it as she fell to her knees in defeat, with tears running down her face.
"Marcus… I'm sorry…"
"No need to be, I'm leaving."
"Marcus! Wait, you're leaving already!?"
"I do not wish to stay here any longer. I have no tolerance for liars."
"Marcus, wait! Don't go!" Mikah pleaded while trying to reach out for him.
Mikah wakes up, to see herself reaching out to thin air. She drops her arms as she sighed in partial relief and partial sadness. She looks to her right to see Marcus sleeping by the table. She tries to move but her body feels really heavy. She notices something wet as she felt a cold towel press on her forehead. She looks at Marcus' face as he slept.
"He looks so peaceful when he's asleep. Wish I could say the same about his posture and snoring."
Marcus was slouching in his chair as he snored loudly, not as loud as Vaike, but just enough to make Mikah a bit uncomfortable. Mikah thinks of her next course of action, but she sneezes.
"Achoo!" Mikah sneezed, like a small kitten mewling.
Marcus is suddenly shaken awake as he sees Mikah finally awake.
"You're finally awake, gosh, you gave me quite the scare last night."
Mikah could only smile, as her throat felt too sore to utter a squeak.
"I do wonder what you were doing out there, but I'll let you rest for the day."
Mikah then realized her previous mission of going to Ferox as her eyes widened. Marcus clearly saw her distress and said.
"I told Chrom about your sickness, don't worry. He understands and wishes you a full recovery."
Mikah felt partially relieved that she didn't have to go on that long trek anymore. She needed all the time at home. She lets out a weak sigh.
"Look, I'll go get you some tea, I already have a brew of herbs boiled into some hot water. I'll go get you another wet towel."
Marcus leaves the room, with Mikah still laying in his bed. She looks to see that Marcus' belongings were back in their old place. She breathed a sigh of relief before coughing a bit.
"Looks like I got worried over nothing." Mikah thought before thinking. "Wait, if Marcus' belongings are here, then… I'm in his room!?"
Mikah sits up and looks left and right, to see Marcus' belongings all over the room.
"Wait… So that means that I'm in his bed!"
Mikah looked down and wondered.
"Why aren't I feeling grossed out? Especially since Marcus has been quite sweaty lately. Maybe I just can't smell it."
Mikah holds Marcus' sheets close to her nose as she takes a huge whiff. She doesn't even recoil in disgust as she smelled the sheets.
"They smell like Marcus, yet they don't stink…" Mikah thought as she sniffed it. "Maybe another smell…"
Mikah smells it again, and again.
"On the contrary it smells good. Why does Marcus smell so nice?"
Mikah seemed to be in absolute ecstasy as she practically started inhaling the sheets through her nose.
"Mmmm… So good…. What kind of perfume has Marcus been using?"
Mikah started growing hotter as she put the sheets near her face, smothering herself with the glorious scent. She even felt a little moisture as she sniffed it to no end. Her face grew red as she fidgeted in excitement and arousal, her legs trembling like that of a newborn foal.
"God, I want this all to myself… I love it so much…" she thought while motioning her hand down.
But Marcus bursts into the room, causing Mikah to abruptly stop and lie down as Marcus didn't even notice her brief moment of bliss. Mikah seemed to be embarrassed as Marcus sat by her bed. He then notices an odd detail about Mikah.
"Your face is getting redder…"
Marcus feels her forehead again.
"You're getting hotter! Lord help us, you need this brew now!"
Marcus hands her the tray and puts the wet towel on her forehead. Mikah just felt embarrassed that her moment of arousal caused Marcus to worry even more about her. She sits up and drinks the brew, feeling the warmth wake up her body as she finally feels some of her strength returning. But she notices a face of sorrow on Marcus. Thinking why he was so sad, Mikah then realizes what he was going to say.
"Mikah… I've been thinking… If I displease you so much, then I'll leave as soon as I can raise money to rent another home."
Mikah tries to talk and explain the truth, but her vocal chords are too strained to even whisper. She just tries to reach for Marcus as her arm trembled in weakness. Marcus then stands up, saying.
"Rune is also here if you want to see him, I'll go get him." Marcus says while standing up.
But Marcus feels a tug on his tunic. He sees Mikah, shakily holding on to his tunic, like a frightened child desperately holding on to their toy. Her blush grew as she tried to whisper.
"Please… Don't… Leave… Not… when I… need you the most…"
"O-Okay." Marcus replied, caught off-guard. "Are you sure you don't want Rune here?"
"Stay with me… Please…"
Marcus sat back down and watched over Mikah.
"If it what you want, then I won't hesitate."
Meanwhile, a crowd of people start running to Ylisstol. The patrols on the walls notice this and call out.
"Captain!" The soldier called out. "There's an indiscriminately large amount of people heading our way!"
"Plegians!?"
"No! They look like… refugees!"
"By the gods, let them in! And get them some help!"
The patrols hurry out and send out ox carts for the weary travelers. Many on horseback pick up any people who couldn't fit into the carts. The refugees looked charred and black, as they had walked through fire. The patrols scrambled to get them inside.
"Who could have done this? This was no ordinary bandit raid! Could Plegians have simply spared this many?"
"I have a feeling, that the Plegians sent these people to us, as a warning…"
"Wait!" someone shouted.
The captain and his guard turn to see more refugees incoming, but they were holding weapons. Their armor still shone even though it looked very charred.
"No… It can't be…"
"Please help us! One of our pegasus knights has collapsed from arrow fire!"
"Gods, our patrols too!? What are these Plegians up to!?"
One of the injured soldiers runs up to the captain, clearly fatigued and close to collapsing.
"Sir… I have important news…"
The captain looks uncertainly to his companions before asking.
"What is it?"
"Mikah, I have to go. The knight-commander is calling a meeting regarding the defense of the city, and I can't miss it."
Mikah frowned, but couldn't argue. She just stroked Marcus' face, who seemed unfazed.
"Rune will be here to take care of you." Marcus said as he went out the door. "Just try and get some rest."
Marcus closes the door and Mikah is left alone once again. She motions for the sheets again, ready for another round, but Rune bursts through the door before she could even get a whiff.
"Damn…" Mikah cursed as she decided to nap instead.
Marcus waited outside the noble house patiently, before a familiar rose-haired girl in silver armor came out. It was his student, Annie Hyrose.
"Sorry I'm late Sir Marcus!" she apologized while running after him.
"Don't worry." Marcus reassured. "Did you bring what I asked you to bring?"
"You mean those tactics and board pieces? I have them in my pouch!"
Marcus saw the numerous books and items that Annie brought with her.
"Good, we'll need some of your tactical prodigy in the defense plan. God knows we need one with our numbers."
"No offense intended, but why do we need these items? Doesn't the knight-commander have his own master plan?"
"The way I see it Annie, your city has yet to face an upcoming siege battle quite like this. And the officials need as much help as they can get."
Annie and Marcus stop by a blacksmith, as Marcus says.
"Just give me a few minutes."
Annie waits patiently outside, ignoring the stares of a few boys, who were obviously checking her out. She sees Marcus walk out, with a weapon that looked like a spear with a knife on top. The spear tip itself was very aesthetically pleasing and curvy.
"Wow, what kind of weapon is that Sir Marcus?"
"Oh this? It's a fauchard, one of my favorite weapons to use in battle!" Marcus said as he proudly stared up his weapon.
"But I thought you were a swordsman?"
"I am. But the sword was never my main go-to weapon, though I may be skilled with it. In a pitched battle, a sword isn't viable if it's not long enough to compete with a skilled polearms user."
"B-But surely skill can triumph—"
"Yes, skill can triumph over weapon advantage, but I'd rather not have some odds stacked against me. And besides, this polearm is developed to fight against armored and mounted opponents! It has way more uses than a plain old sword."
Their conversation is interrupted as they entered the castle gates.
"Okay Annie, are you ready?"
"Yes, Sir Marcus!"
Both walked inside with vigor and confidence as the gates behind them closed.
Marcus opens the door to the council room, where the knight-commander seemed distressed. He slammed the table in frustration as the other commanders stepped back to give him space. The knight-commander acknowledges Marcus and his partner's presence.
"Forgive my outburst, it's just that things have been complicated a whole lot."
Marcus saw torn pieces of paper on the floor, together with schematics.
"Aren't those the plans for the city defense?"
"Yes, but it's useless. A spy has disclosed our formation and tactics to the enemy! And now our patrols are slaughtered and running for their lives!" the knight commander cursed as he slammed his fist again. "Damn it, that spy ruined everything!"
Marcus and Annie looked at each other for a moment, before Annie whispered something to his ears. Marcus smirked and laid out the pieces and papers that Annie brought unto the table.
"We can use this to our advantage, how long do we have until the Plegians supposedly arrive?"
"Worst-case scenario, one day. But the best-case scenario isn't much better."
"How many?"
"Three days."
"Deus adiuva nos omnes." Marcus muttered. (God help us all)
Marcus paused, eyeing everyone in the room, before turning his head to the knight-commander.
"Are you sure that there are no spies in this room?"
"These are my most trusted commanders, and there is a magical barrier that prevents any information from leaving this room."
"Good, because we can still pull this off."
The commanders seemed unsure of Marcus taking the initiative.
"With all due respect Sir Marcus, what have you and your student planned that made you so confident?" one of the commanders asked.
"It's quite simple actually." Marcus said confidently. "The Plegians are expecting one strategy, we'll give them the complete opposite. This will require careful tactical analysis that thankfully, my student is gifted in."
Annie turns a bit red at Marcus' compliment. Marcus looks around, making sure that they were listening. Since he got his point across, Marcus then asks.
"Now before we discuss logistics, let's discuss how many resources we actually have."
Everyone turns their head at the quartermaster, who brings out the list.
"Well…"
And that's it! Do you want the Siege of Ylisse next chapter or do you want the Exalt's escort? I can't decide to be honest.
Also, for those who want to see the army comps before the actual Siege battle, here you go! But it might spoil the surprise.
So… SPOILER WARNING.
X==SPOLER==X
X==SPOLER==XX==SPOLER==X
X==SPOLER==XX==SPOLER==XX==SPOLER==X
YLISSE - A very flexible army, wielding decent flying, melee and ranged units, but is lacking in siege weaponry and numbers.
General's Guard - 30 men
Three platoons of Ylissean Pegasus Knights - 270 men
Two platoons of Ylissean Falcon Knights - 180 men
Two platoons of Ylissean War Clerics/Monks - 300 men
Two platoons of Ylissean Heroes - 200 men
Three platoons of Ylissean Cavaliers - 270 men
One platoon of Ylissean Great Knights - 90 men
One platoon of Ylissean Paladins - 90 men
Two platoons of Mounted Bow Knights - 180 men
Three platoons of Mercenary Swordsmen - 600 men
Three platoons of Mercenary Spearmen - 600 men
Four platoons of Ylissean Pikemen - 800 men
Five platoons of Ylissean Levies - 1,000 men
Four platoons of Ylissean Dismounted Knights - 600 men
Four platoons of Ylissean Archers - 800 men
Three platoons of Ylissean Snipers - 600 men
Three platoons of Ylissean Mages - 600 men
Two platoons of Ylissean Sages - 400 men
Three Ylissean Catapults - 90 men
Three Pachyderm Ballistas - 90 men
Two Ylissean Trebuchets - 60 men
TOTAL: 7,850 men
PLEGIA
Mad King's Guard - 30 men
Eight platoons of Plegian Dark Mages - 1,600 men
Four platoons of Plegian Mages - 800 men
Six platoons of Dark Fliers - 540 men
Six platoons of Plegian Dark Knights - 540 men
Four platoons of Plegian Wyvern Riders - 360 men
Six platoons of Plegian Archers - 1,200 men
Two platoons of Plegian Wyvern Lords - 180 men
Two platoons of Plegian Griffon Riders - 180 men
Ten platoons of Plegian Myrmidons - 2,000 men
Fourteen platoons of Plegian Barbarians - 2,800 men
Six platoons of Plegian Berserkers - 1,200 men
Thirty platoons of Plegian Levies - 6,000 men
Two platoons of Plegian Summoners - 60 men + 5,000 Risen
Six Plegian Catapults - 180 men
Three Plegian Trebuchets - 90 men
TOTAL: 22, 760 soldiers (17,760 men + 5000 Risen)