Author's notes: Hey guys, sorry I haven't uploaded in a while, I've been quite busy or just lazy. Anyway leave reviews telling me if you liked it or not and please be nice. I'll try to upload soon, maybe in a week. Make sure to tell me if you want me to incorporate some ideas you'd like to see, and have a nice day.
Lost in thoughts, Marth wandered around his palace thinking. He had recently fought a battle against an organized force, but all kingdoms who responded his message assured they didn't know about the invader, but was ready to help. He headed into a dark corridor, which was quite suspicious. Why weren't the torches lighted or guards here? He found his answer fast enough. Lying dead in a sea of blood was two corpses. Altean guards from the palace looking at their armor. Marth heard a whistling noise and saw an arrow flying towards him. Two seconds was all it took for the young king to draw his blade and cut the arrow in half, then running towards the source of the arrow. A man wearing tight clothes and a hood, an assassin no doubt, was readying another arrow. The hero cut the man's bow in half before shoving his sword in the assassin's chest. As soon as the stranger's body fell on the ground, Marth ran towards the soldiers' quarters. Piles of bodies were being burned of all sides. The king continued on his ways to Shade's room, where he saw more dead bodies then he could count. The royal guard, still half-asleep, was thrusting his sword in the last sell sword before realizing all the bodies. The organization sure knew the strongest prey.
"You alright, Shade?" Marth asked.
"Of course", assured the loyal man, "is my sister and milady Shiida alright!? he then asked promptly.
"I don't know, I'm making my way there."
That's all it took for Shade to sprint towards the royal chambers. Marth tried to follow behind, but his training was nowhere as extensive as Shade's and it took 5 minutes for the King to arrive in his chambers. He arrived at the door step and saw Shade's sister, Ayja, startled in her brother's arms. Shiida was sitting on the corner of the bed, her newborn baby in her hands. Around them were a couple of mutilated bodies.
"There you are!" Shiida exclaimed, "Seems like Shade is 10 times faster than you!"
"I wouldn't doubt it", managed to say Marth, exhausted.
"Milord, I think maybe a council should be hosted soon", said Shade.
"Of course, just let me take back my breath".
Shade left the room with his sister to tell everybody about the discussion in the mess hall.
"Are you okay?" asked Marth as soon as the two left.
"Yes, but if it hadn't been for Shade, I doubt that would be the case" said Shiida while putting her lance on her table, "We should go."
Marth nodded while they both headed for the mess hall where the war council would be hosted. He and Shiida arrived last, with the hero's most trusted warriors ready. Shade was near the door holding a dead corpse under his arm.
"Anybody knows what nation he's from?" asked Shade, breaking the silence, throwing the dead guy on the table.
"He has Khadein armor," said Cecille, "Doubt Merric and Elric would betray us".
"Even if they would, which is unlikely, Elice would never allow it", mentioned Shiida.
Shade grunted, obviously mad, "Hopefully", before walking away from the table a little. Luke and Rody stepped away to get out of his way. Cain and Abel looked at each other wondering the source of the anger.
"I'll ride to Khadein tomorrow" said Shade, "I'll figure out what's happening".
"Are you kidding me?" asked Marth, "It's dangerous, take some guards with you at least".
"Fine, I'll take the seventh platoon," muttered Shade, "We leave at 6AM".
Shade left the mess hall heading for his room. A memory was looming in his head…
A hand taking him aside, "Promise me you'll keep him safe, please. I couldn't support the thought of losing another family member", she said in her soft voice. "I will", I heard myself answer, "He is my liege, and I'll die before he does". "Thank you, Shade, I'll pray for your safe journey", said Elice.
"She can't betray her own word, I didn't…" whispered Shade in the night time.
He arrived at his chambers and slid in his bed. He fell asleep puzzled. In the morning, he got prepared slowly; his mind tortured by the thought Elice could betray her own words.
"We're ready Shade", announced a voice behind him.
Shade turned around and saw Luke with his sarcastic grin, Cecille admiring the red on her lance, Rody and his calm, appeasing smile and Ryan with his innocent yet brilliant look in his eyes.
"Then we're leaving…"