FE: Realm of Darkness
Chapter 4
Mist swayed from one foot to the other as Stefan led her through the waltz. Why oh why did she agree to this? She was used to freelance dancing, not formal foot war! Not long after her brother had left, the Apostle advised everyone to relax and dance; no doubt a diversion for Ike's sudden leave. It worked though. Everyone filed in an orderly fashion along the length of the room in pairs, while a handful of musicians appearing out of nowhere to fill the room with music.
"Are you alright? You seem a little distracted." said Stefan as he gently pulled her close, one hand bent behind his back. His lime green hair caressed his shoulders with each lithe step he took.
The handsome sword master had opened a small school in the back-country of southern Begnion to teach swordsmanship. Stefan was a natural teacher when it came to mentoring others in the way of the blade. She gave a weak smile while glancing over at the entrance. Nothing. Her pressing anxiety had not abated since Soren mentioned the Laguzslayer. Those accursed swords were suppose to have all been destroyed. The poor little one was probably scared to death. She felt guilty for leaving the little laguz alone but tried to appear happy in front of her old friends after so long.
Suddenly missing a step and tangling one heeled foot in her dress, the young woman went face first into her partner's broad chest. (A/N: Lucky...) Blushing lightly, she looked up into Stefan's grinning face. "Sorry! Dancing can take quite a bit of strength."
"That is true but let us get out of the way of the other dancers. Wouldn't want to get trampled, now would we?" he said, leading her carefully off of the dancing floor.
Finally able to breathe on her own, Mist looked around. People were dancing, talking in small groups with glasses in their hands and simply enjoying the content atmosphere. When she had arrived, she thought she would be happy. Now it was as if she couldn't stand the peace or the silence. Was this really what she wanted or was it because her father wasn't her anymore that she didn't feel complete? Every time she looked at the Greil company, she could almost feel him there all over again. But her mother and father were dead, never to come back. The battlefield taught her taught her that. A part of her wanted them to be back in Crimea, doing odd jobs and joking as they made some money from helping others. But thanks to Daein and the war its king started, she was changed.
Back before Daein soldiers had even stepped foot in Crimea, she was a young little girl with a happy smile. Watching her mercenary family fight bandits, pirates and rogue troublemakers was part of her young teen life. She was unprepared for the world her parents had lived in. That such cruelty and evil could actually exist opened her eyes to what the raw world really was. Now her heart, as well as her brother's, belonged to the wilderness of Gallia and the freedom of being a mercenary. Instead of waiting where it was safe to heal the worst of wounds, she could now fight where the wounds could be made. She was stronger than she ever thought possible, and she would die before returning to the weak person she once was.
Soren sniffed the air again. They were close. After racing through the stone city of Mainal, they headed toward the place outside the city walls where they had left the young laguz. Leaning sideways on the saddle with only his legs and vice like grip on Ike's belt to keep him up, the sage peeked around the large bulk of animal he was riding. Syris' scent was coming from up ahead. So far no blood lust or death was on the wind which meant nothing bad had happened to her...yet.
"She is close." the sage murmured to Ike's ear once he pulled himself erect in the saddle. The young man merely nodded and urged the mount faster. He could not have Syris' death on his conscience. Too many laguz have died before him and he would defy such a fate if it meant there was a future for her. Syris deserved that much.
Suddenly, a blur of orange dropped from the foliage in front of the horse. Startled out of its mind, the large mount reared up with a hysteric shriek. Ike clutched onto the reins so he would not slide backwards. Soren however went along with gravity and flipped backward off the animal hindquarters. Moving quickly to the horse's neck, the sage reached for the bridal. Pulling the horse's head down with a firm tug, he smoothed the mount's strong neck with soothing strokes around the ears and eyes.
"It's all right girl. You're alright." he murmured as she counted uneasily in place. Turning around, he gazed down at the shaking laguz whom they were looking for. Twigs and leaves were stuck in her short hair; dried mud and grass were caked on her bare legs. Walking towards her slowly, he knelt down to look at her face.
"Syris," he said. "Did you see your master?"
She nodded shakily then launched herself into his chest. At first, he was startled. A person such as him didn't receive hugs very often from those he wasn't close with. Relaxing, he gathered her into his arms and stood up just as his friend joined them. Ike placed a hand gently on her head that was pressed into his friend's collarbone.
"Don't worry little one. You're safe now."
Soren opened his mouth to agree only to stiffen in place. Hugging the laguz to him, the sage moved to Ike's side. The swordsman's head snapped to the side where rustling was heard. Moments later, a man emerged from the trees near where Syris had appeared. Dressed in rich cloth of blue and yellow with a crest imprinted on his sleeves, the man's eyes were green and his hair brown. In his left hand was the deadly Laguzslayer sword; while in the other hand was a fire tome. Face grim, Ike unsheathed his sword and pointed the fine tip at the newcomer.
"You must be Suvall."
"Don't interfere boy! That damned sub-human belongs to me and I will deal with her how I wish."
The sage shook his head. Insulting laguz was one of Ike's major pet peeves. Setting Syris down, he bent down to her again. Reaching into his left sleeve, he pulled out a Talisman necklace. Wearing a talisman would lower the offense from magic attacks and protect the wearer. In this case, fire. Gallian laguz could not stand anima fire. Flames summoned especially from tomes gave laguz severe second and/or third degree burns. Since he didn't have a Full Guard charm, a resistance necklace would be the best protection for now.
"Don't take it off and stay behind us." he ordered then stood up to stand. His friend was angered alright. His jaw was twitching and his blue eyes were ablaze with silent rage. If he didn't act soon, the ex-general would probably be running at the noble with every intention of killing him. Soren could not allow that. Suvall was bound to the country of Begnion and would be punished by her laws. They were not back to being mercenaries just yet.
"Ike, calm down. I'll take care of him." Soren said calmly, patting his friend as he walked past him towards Jonas. Ike blinked at his friend's back.
"Soren?"
"Just leave it to me." the sage demanded as he rolled his long sleeves up to the crook in his forearms. The best thing about his summons was that he was expierenced enough to where he didn't need a tome book with him at all times.
Suvall sneered and ripped the book open to reveal the spells within. Blazing power surrounded the man as his arm lashed out towards Syris. A stream of hot flames shot towards the laguz; Ike whirled around to present his back to the fire, protecting her.
"Die!"Screamed Suvall, his anger adding more fuel to his spell.
Soren shook his head as he raised a hand. "It is rude of you to ignore me, a sage right in front of you. You won't reach her."
Feeling the sizzling presence of thunder in the air, Soren narrowed his eyes. Fire was weak against thunder and protects the wielder from fire damage. Twisting his fingers in a grappling motion, he calculated his aim and released. A bolt of bright yellow energy dived towards the earth and struck the flame of fire moments before it reached Ike's back. Immediately, the flames were extinguished.
Moving firmly in front of Suvall, Soren readied himself to intercept more attacks. That was only one attack but it spoke volumes concerning the opponent. Suvall was a bishop who studied Trinity anima instead of light arcane tomes. If lucky, the noble knew only how to throw around a few fireballs and wind gales that would tire him later.
"Give it up Suvall. You have lost." Said Soren as he raised his hand again. Jonas threw the book down onto the ground and gripped the Laguzslayer. Running forward, he raised the sword above his head to head for the young laguz who was trembling in Ike's arms. In a couple more moments, he would deliver a critical attack.
"Wrong! I'll kill all of you! So wills the Heavens of those who aid sub-humans!"
"Soren!" Yelled Ike from behind his friend as he snatched Syris up from the ground to get them a better distance away from the battle. The sage just shook his head as he rolled his shoulders.
"Don't worry about him," Replied Soren. "Just get on the horse."
Before his friend could reply, Jonas attacked Soren whom was in his way first. He swung haphazardly at Soren's neck. The sage immediately ducked then hit the inside of Jonas' elbow with a jab of his hand. As Jonas' arm folded inward, Soren gripped his wrist that was holding the sword and twisted. The Laguzslayer fell to from Suvall's hand which he caught before it hit the ground.
"Pathetic." Growled the black haired hybrid as pushed the noble to the ground. Syris' master struggled to get to his feet, but Soren was already pressing the edge of the sword against his jugular. If the noble moved too fast, his throat would be cut open.
"You...bastard..."growled Suvall as he glared at Soren. Ike trotted over to them on the horse with Syris in his lap.
"Soren," said Ike as he offered a hand towards his friend. "You shouldn't hold that sword for too long."
"I know, Ike. Just give me a moment."
Twirling all the way around to his left in place, Soren angled the blade to the noble's head. Ike was ready to cover Syris' eyes when he noticed the way the blade struck the back of Jonas' head; the flat side of the blade. At the force of the impact, Suvall fell face first into the ground with a painful groan.
Soren untied the thick sash about his waist and wrapped it around the blade of the sword. Handing it over to Ike, he massaged his hands. Syris glanced warily at the sword Ike was tying to the flank of the mare but stayed seated. Looking over at the sage, she looked down at the necklace she had been given and moved to take it off. Soren noticed this and shook his head.
"Arakuza." He told her, a small smile on his lips. (Keep it.)
Her eyes widened at the words of the Ancient language, her language, for a moment then nodded.
"Alright. Let's head back to Begnion." Said Ike as he prodded the horse gently closer to Jonas' fallen form so that Soren could hoist him up. Time for the slave master to be arrested. Glancing down at the laguz cub in his lap, he knew his sister would be very relieved.
"Escort him out of my sight." Sanaki ordered to the two guards holding Suvall up. Mist glared at the man who had tried to hurt Syris. Ike and Soren had arrived moments ago and had no sooner presented the man to the Apostle, that she stripping his status and money away. Those who still abused Laguz would not be punished lightly. Other Laguz in their human forms glared their hatred at the beorc trying to subjugate one of their cousins.
Turning to gaze down at little Syris who had lunged into her arms once stepping into the grand room, she felt great relief fill her chest anew. When she noticed her necklace, she smiled as a tears fell from her eyes. It was unlike Soren to give gifts but he probably wanted the Laguz to be protected. She looked at her brother who was standing with his arms crossed, a blank expression on his face.
"Brother, how long will she be able to stay with us?"
"She can stay with you while I return to Gallia. I have yet to talk with Titania, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you returned to the Greil Mercenaries for a while. It would make you happy, and that is all I want."
"Brother..."
"I was selfish keeping you with me all this time, Mist." Lowering his head, he stared solemnly at the floor. "I ask your forgiveness."
She couldn't speak. Words were lost to her. Sure, her brother was hot headed, rude and terribly blunt, but when it came to others he cared about, he would do anything to make them happy. Chuckling softly, she reached up with one finger to wipe away a tear.
"Oh Ike... thank you."
He just nodded to her as Soren was walking over to them. Nudging Ike's arm, he gestured towards the Apostle. "She wants to speak with us."
"Alright."
Ike walked slowly over to the where Apostle Sanaki, Sephiran, Nasir, Queen Elincia and her retainers were gathered respectively. Briefly his gaze rested on the emerald hair of Crimea's ruler and he clenched his fists as he felt her gaze. Would he ever get over the awkwardness of her presence?
Sitting erect on her throne, Sanaki watched them walk closer with a cool face. At her right was Sephiran dressed in elegant bishop robes, her left was Nasir whom he noticed now had shorted hair. The wavy curls that embraced his face emphasized his youthful but attractive appearance. Bending down to one knee, both hybrid and beorc bowed their heads in complete submission of the living icon before them.
"You come here unannounced in my presence, play tricks on your old comrades and leave with such rash abruptness it is considered an insult!" Sanaki spoke sharply, her amber eyes flashing with irritation. However as soon as it appeared, it was gone. Ike soon found himself hearing the gentle chuckle from one of the most powerful rulers who with one word could end his life.
"You have not changed at all, Ike. I see you have altered your appearance somewhat to that of a Gallian farmer, or trader perhaps?"
He didn't dare lift his head out of curiosity to see if her eyes were as happy as her voice sounded. "No, Apostle. I am a simple civilian of Gallia, by pardon of King Caineghis. He sends his regards and wishes you the best of strength."
"Hmm." Another soft chuckle. "A civilian you say, yet you speak like a loyal messenger. Are you really Ike, former leader of the Greil Mercenaries? I thought you were never one to really put up with such formal noble manners?"
"I will use them as they suit her Holiness." Ike replied."The war so long ago has changed many including myself. It would indeed be an insult you if I didn't not address you and Queen Crimea properly."
Sanaki turned her head a degree towards the man at Ike's right. "And you, Master Soren?"
The sage paused lightly, wondering why she was addressing him. "I am but a simple sage, Apostle. Should I have changed, it would have been for the benefit of my comrades' survival."
His acute hearing heard a strangled snort. from somewhere in the small audience behind him. 'Damn Boyd.' he cursed as he looked out of the corner of his eye for any trace of the Warrior's green hair. If only he knew where the man was, then he could maybe send a small bolt of thunder to 'accidentally' shock the axe user.
"I see," said Sanaki as she nodded to the men at her feet, "Rise, you two. You're making me feel old with such formalities. Queen Elincia has used this reunion as an opportunity to share some of her concerns of state that she feels you should know."
Both men turned their attention from one powerful woman to another. Elincia met Ike's gaze with a steady one of her own, and offered Soren a gentle smile that he acknowledged.
"Master Soren, my Lord Ike. No, I am mistaken. Sir Ike." she murmured, returned their deep bows with a graceful bob of her head.
"Your Majesty." Ike responded, but deep down as he gazed into the young Queen's mature eyes, he wanted so much to say Elincia. All the moments of their last time together so long ago in Crimea Castle flooded back to him. All over again he felt guilt, but knew that he could not turn back time to take any of it back. He had hurt her, and she would probably never forgive him.
Falling slowly to one knee in front of the woman he had fought for so long ago, Ike bowed his head with his blue eyes closed. Soren fell into his place at his right, and murmured a greeting to the Queen. For a moment, nothing happened; no one said anything. Then he heard the gentle swish of skirts as Elincia stepped off the dais. 'She is walking closer to us!' he thought, clenching his fists to keep from standing up and staring her straight in the face, blurting out all his guilt and requests for forgiveness.
It was almost eternity before he saw the small, dainty feet of his old friend and employee from under his midnight bangs. Her royal dress swished about her legs as her faint perfume met his nose. It was the scent of the sun-kissed wind and A'sheraiea Bloom, or Ashera Blossoms; bright, golden roses that were thought to have been the first flowers made by the Goddess.
Ike didn't move a muscle as she stood before them, then slowly murmured his name. "Ike..."
Tsuzuku!!!!
So sorry that it took so long to get this to all you faithful or interested readers! I hope you have not given up on me! ;.; I had a minor case of writer's block and stressful moments at home which I needed some much needed release from. Do forgive for the lateness of this chapter and hope that some reader's curiosities have been ignited. Hopefully, it was not poorly done... right? Hope you liked!
-Kitani