FE: Realm of Darkness

Chapter 8

Fire Emblem disclaimer!

A/N: Do not despair good fans and fellow readers for I have updated! What a miracle, huh? I'm sure I deserve your projectiles targeted at my head but fear not! For I had to graduate, get a job and research for this thing concerning the upcoming characters and layouts for the rest of the story! Isn't that just wonderful of me? Of coarse I could have been awesome and updated sooner and a whole lot more, but we authors do drift away from time to time, me more so. Please continue sending your love and reading time for my story and hope with this extra long chapter that it eases your mind that I am STILL working on it for you.

Ciao!

KITANI

The next morning, Ike asked his sister to watch over Soren instead of coming to practice swordplay him with. She agreed with a sigh of relief and they both knew why. Soren was half laguz which was a well known fact to the Greil siblings but not known to their current companions. They protected that fact rather selfishly and with good reason. Hybrids or Brandeds were never accepted in most places, even though nowadays, Laguz and Beorc were slowly bonding and creating much needed harmony. Ike thought it almost unfair that both separate beings could walk free and yet a half-breed would still be frowned upon. Soren always gave them reassuring smiles that it did not bother him, but that didn't completely settle Ike's concern.

Did it take a large scale conflict such as a war in order to open a large group of people to the heartfelt ideals of others? Was is always fighting and beating another person's head in the answer to getting a point into such ignorant people? It was these questions that gave Ike some insight as to his enemies frustrations and feelings when they were not getting their wishes realized. He himself was compelled to violence in force when it came to be needed. Yet it was so easy to just shove someone, to try and force them to understand or see...

Blinking, Ike suddenly realized he was twenty paces away from the spot where he had started his sword form. Lowering his blade as he stared behind him a moment more at his starting place, the sound of hands slowly clapping from behind made him turn back around. Leaning against the trunk of a broad tree with his long axe handle resting against his hip stood Boyd. Head tilted to the side with a lopsided smirk, his childhood friend brought his axe over only to rest it back into the ground and lean on the handle.

"Oi, you alright?" he asked, eyebrows crunched lightly together in concern. Ike just smiled and shook his head.

Running a hand through his black locks, the commander gave out a long and heavy sigh. "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine, just got lost musing to myself."

"You looked more like your thoughts were the puzzle of the great world." replied the green haired man, following his friend back to the log that stood lopsided under a nice patch of shade. "Is it because of Soren?"

Ike sat down and picked up his scabbard he had propped up against the log. Sliding the long steel piece of metal home into the leather sheath, the young man rested the blade onto the ground and chuckled. When Boyd received no answer, he growled and lightly rapped his friend's skull with his knuckles.

"Ow!" yelped Ike, holding the crown of his head in irritation as he looked up to glare at his friend.

"Maybe then you'll listen, huh? Soren will be fine, he's a stubborn and determined guy who lives to lecture us. Remember that one night we came home soaked to the bone after that four hour long fishing competition to try and catch the longest Noyder? He kept scolding us on how stupid we were to go out in the rain for some lame fish for about half an hour before we were all sent to bed."

Chuckling again, Ike smiled and looked over at the tent where Mist was tending to Soren and his young charge, Miss Tyna.

"Yeah. In a way he was showing his concern I think."

Boyd let out a loud guffaw. "That and if we got sick, he would then have to act likea girl with all the chores and cooking with Mist to pick up the slack."

Joining in with the laughter as Titania gave them a confused look from over by the horses, Ike had only one thought. 'If only I could tell you that he could hear you across this camp easily...'

Soren's fingertips were stinging from the small jolts of energy jumping between the pads of his fingers. Glaring at the tent wall where he could hear Boyd's voice coming from, he gritted his teeth angrily. That fool always looked for an excuse to tease and make fun of him. However, when he noticed his senses in the tent being much sharper, a sure sign his emotions were aiding his laguz senses, that he reigned back his ire. He grudgingly remembering why he couldn't zap Boyd into a 'well toasted Berserker'. It was his decision and the advice of his mentor Sephiran to avoid using his Branded abilities until he fully understood what blood flowed through his veins and learn to better control them.

That didn't mean it was any less frustrating though.

"Why aren't you dead?" rasped a voice across from him to his left. Speak of frustrations...

"Is that your way of saying you wanted me to die back there?" he growled back. The healing balm Mist had applied to his forehead and temples was starting to irritate his now sensitive nose, making him crinkle his face up in disgust at its fermented smell. His ward had woken up an hour ago but acted like she was sleep. The reason why he cared less for,but her lying there only annoyed him more. The reason why she merely annoyed him with his presence he wouldn't mind venting with a few well summoned gusts of wind or cracking bursts of thunder out in the woods for a while.

"No! You just...it looked like you were hit maybe by three critical attacks and you're still standing. That is unheard of!" Tyna whispered hoarsely since she had cried herself to sleep the night before.

It was annoying since she had kept him up most of the night, hence another reason he was crabby today. It seems this girl was rather unhealthy for him. If only he could get rid of her, what a dream that would be. But getting rid of the Apostle's subtly put servants and Queen Crimea's personal attendant would be an insult to Begnion's most loved icon, the Queen and a sure disfavor for Ike. Soren could not stand hurting Ike in the most inefficient way so thus, he was stuck.

"If you use the right items and resources, you can escape the closest chances of death in battle." he snapped back, glaring at her while still facing the tent's creased ceiling. "My robe just happens to be one of them."

A definite lie but she didn't need to know that. Her eyes clouded with confusion and anger. Tyna started to reply but he bit it with his own. "Ever heard of the Black Knight? He wore armor blessed by the Goddess herself to not be scratched by any mortal weapon that was not blessed like the armor. My robe is an imitation that Sephiran and I developed with the Miracle technique to reduce the risk of me getting hit by most critical attacks attempted by most weapons. Follow me so far, brat?"

Her black eyes widened at his rude snub and seemed to almost flinch. Slapping the cot beneath her, she suddenly turned into a raving wildcat with the growls of anger she made before his very eyes.

"Brat my ass! Can you not answer someone without making it sound like you're punching them down a peg?! Who in all the hells do you think you are? All I wanted was to know why you didn't die in a normal person's standards since that what most sages are. Normal! If I wanted a cursed lecture I would of brought a bound notebook!!!!"

Soren watched as she huffed and puffed from her shout which was sure to bring others to the tent. Smirking lightly, he met her gaze then proceeded to roll his eyes. Tyna was halfway to reaching him when the flap to the tent was ripped to one side and a bewildered Mist rushed in.

"Tyna, whatever is the matter? What is all the yelling about?" she demanded, grasping the mage's arm and pulling her back towards her own cot. Soren just yawned and closed his eyes, a small smile playing peek-a-boo on his lips.

Shaking a finger at her guardian, Tyna spluttered over her words before letting out an aggravated yell and rushing from the tent. Ignoring the pulsing behind her eyes, she wanted just to get away from him. Even if she summoned an arcane spell, it would make no effect on someone his level of skill or magic resistance. However she did not get far, maybe seven stomps from the tent, before she saw it. 'It' was the orange cat that followed Mist or Soren everywhere. Her vision swam and sweat broke out as she stumbled away from the cat as it looked up at her with its narrowed, orange pupils.

Then it transformed into a cat eared girl and reached out to try and catch her as she began to faint, those large orange eyes wide and surprised. It did not stop the strangled scream that echoed from her throat as she pushed that fur covered hand away from her then fell to the ground into blackness.

Crimea Castle, how many times he had visited here to have talks with its Queen he knew not. But it always warmed Kurthnaga's heart to see Gallian and Goldoan laguz walking freely in the streets. Even better thanks to the war that he was able to leave his island home to travel Tellius and study the Beorc more closely. He was fascinated by them, despite their violent and destructive shortcomings. Also with his observations, Kurthnaga hoped he would better understand his sister as well.

His sister, Almedha. Princess of Goldoa and...widowed noble of Daein. It pained him what suffering his sister had went through...and yet he just wanted to understand. Maybe then....

"Prince Kurthnaga? We have arrived." murmured his servant and retainer, Gareth.

Smiling gently, the prince nodded and stepped through the large doors to the throne room that he was waiting to enter. Queen Crimea stood looking out through the the large diamond window doors that led out into the balcony, overlooking the grand courtyard that led out into the city of the Crimean capital, Melior. The large balcony doors were cracked open a few inches in the middle to let the breeze trickle in and sweep past the young woman. Her grand while and gold dress rustled lightly as she enjoyed the sweet breeze from outside, Elincia's emerald hair swaying in waves around her shoulders and throat.

Kurthnaga smiled and enjoyed the sight as he walked closer. "Well little one, you seem to be enjoying yourself."

"Naga, I was wondering when you would visit me." she murmured lightly, a large smile on her face as she heard the pet name he liked to call her.

She reached out a hand which the Black Dragon carefully took and gripped it gently. Before when she was traveling with Ike, he had not spared her much glance except noting that she watched him and his people with open delight and awe. Yet later when she was crowned queen and announced her mission to the world that the prejudice and hatred towards Laguz were to be changed, many of his kind were skeptical. But it was that one moment after Daein castle fell to Ike and those who followed him that he felt he should keep a more open heart.

Gripping the cloak the color of shadows and darkness at the base of his collarbone, the Goldoan prince swiftly ran through the evening forest that was to the north of Daein castle. His powerful legs in Beorc form pounded strongly against the earth as he dodged through trees and brush to get closer to where he knew she would be.

Considering the battle which had occurred earlier that afternoon, there was no doubt in his mind that the there were any survivors in the rubble that was now the aged home of Daein monarchs. He knew Ike and his companions needed to defeat Daein in order to get balance back, but if it meant that his sister was in danger...

When he burst through the last remains of brush at the edge of the clearing, stood a dark garbed figure who stood tall, half covered in moonlight. Standing off to the side with her black and moss green dress was his beloved sister, Almedha. She caught his eyes and took a few steps forward, reaching out a hand and saying the blessed words he had not heard since he was but a young dragonling.

"Kurthanga-to" she said with a breathy sigh."My little nestling."

Like their mother, she would call him 'nestling'. It was one of things that was so precious to him and so private. It was then he pushed away from the tree he had held onto to catch his breath and rush into her arms, his shorter form letting him rest his forehead into her neck. He breathed hard and could not hold back the content grumble that filled his chest. Almedha enveloped him and rested her soft cheek against the crown of his head.

"Oh, it has been a while my young brother. How do you fare?" she asked, a smile he could hear in her voice.

"I have been treated well be our father, but have I never stopped thinking of you. Sister, are you alright? None of the Beorc of Crimea's princess have hurt you?" he asked, leaning away so they both held each other by the arms. He looked her over, noting the scuffed edges of her dress but so far, no injuries or scorch marks from lightning. Thanks be the Goddess.

"Kurthnaga-to, I am well. I was evacuated from the castle as soon as I heard the sound of metal and Laguz upon the air."

"You are unharmed which I am glad to hear," he murmured then closed his eyes, gripping the forearms below her elbows just a little tighter, "What do you plan to do now?"

"I cannot return home, brother. Not when I am no longer fully Laguz."

Kurthnaga refused to open his eyes as he let his hands slowly let go of her. "If that...is what you wish. But know I still care for you. Please do not let any harm come to you, Euena."

Almedha sucked in her breath sharply at the word for 'respected sister' in the Ancient Language her brother had said. She stepped away and turned back towards the mountains. At first she wanted their meeting to last longer, but she could not stay. Not even for her own blood brother.

"We shall meet again, Kurthnaga-to. But my duty is now to my son and I would risk everything for him. Please do not mention me to father. I am sure he still start to brood in those moods of his again."

The younger dragon opened his eyes as his sister began to walk back into the forest. She was leaving again, just like before. But it has been years since they had talked like this which he was grateful for, even if his beloved sister still bared that sad look in her eyes.

"Naga? You are staring at my hand." the young noble pointed out with laughing eyes, tugging lightly on his hand to get his attention. The Dragon Prince looked up from her hand to her eyes and she paused.

"You look so sad. Is something wrong?"

He shook his head, the short silky waves brushing against his nape sharply. "I came here to see if you were ready to set up a plan yet. It seems our suspicions were correct concerning the Apostle of Begnion?"

Elincia pressed her left hand's fingers into the ridge of her jaw, a troubled frown formed on her face. "Yes it seems so. She is planning something and Bishop Sephiran himself seemed a pique bothered. Sending Ike and the others to the Unknown Eastern lands so suddenly after such a reunion seems rather strange."

Extending a hand, Kurthnaga led his friend to the lounge that was located behind the throne room by a curtained door. Walking through the entrance that as behind the throne chairs themselves, he had Elincia sit down on one of the long couches and then sat himself. Gareth stood steadfast at the curtained entrance in case they were to suddenly be disturbed. Although his servant was ever loyal to his father, there was a more affectionate protectiveness he sensed from the red dragon. He just hoped it did not backfire from this meeting with his dear friend, Elincia. Should his father disapprove, he may very well be dragged back home.

"I too wondered what there could be in the Eastern lands since it is rather uncharted territory. There have been no known records of Beorc or Laguz from that region since it is said to be cursed by the Dark God itself. What could the Apostle want in such places?"

Shaking her head as she rubbed at the bridge between her nose and upper lip, the young Queen sighed and let herself slouch into the soft cushions of the couch. It was rather unbecoming in noble etiquette but at this point, she just was to tired to have a care.

"It was really her idea to scout those lands, I just supported that idea thinking nothing of it. But to suddenly inquire Ike's services in such short notice like that, it just makes me wonder if maybe Ike and the others are questioning this sudden commission."

Patting her shoulder, Kurthnaga gave her a reassuring smile. "Until we get proof that Ike and the others are in danger, we shall not act. Ike himself is a rather powerful and strong swordsman. We must believe in their journey for now, little one."

"You are right. So, shall we have some tea then?" asked the Queen suddenly as she clapped her hands together with a bright shine to her eyes. "I have a few more moments to spare before I have to look over the country's records concerning the taxes with my advisers."

It was very strange, his Apsotle's behavior. Her eyes were rather more almost lucid looking yet had their usual serious glint. A young girl such as her having to rule the vast country such as Begion was a feat indeed, yet he was sure that Altina's descendant could do so. But...it weighed on his mind that something was amiss with his dear little Apostle. Sigrun and Tanith seemed not to be concerned and served her as they always had. But it did not escape his keen eye.

After she had departed to rest for the evening, Nasir the White Dragon suddenly appeared before him in the hallway as he was leaving the Apostle's personal apartments.

"Nasir, good evening to you."

"You have noticed it as well then, the Apostle's acute behavior." he said, arms crossed and light blue eyes gleaming in the dim light of the windowed hallway.

"It is rather disturbing not to. Are you planning to depart then?" asked the Bishop as he stepped closer to the laguz, brows pinched together. "You want to look into this. I pray by the Goddess' name that it not be serious but merely trifle."

"Don't we both. Since you cannot leave her side as I can, I will let you know if there is anything amiss. I have to make sure, for my sanity and my own personal concerns. My best guess is a conjurer but I will have to get in touch with my old contacts."

Sephiran nodded in understanding, knowing the laguz was well known in the reliable of most places. After the war, the White Dragon had asked permission to reside in the city for a time, wanting to observe the the aftermath of the war and the progress of Laguz and Beorc relations in the country. He had become a well known and respected guest of the Apostle, a figure of true respect between Laguz and Beorc that shines as a great example for others to follow.

Bowing his head, the Bishop signed his hands in the air in the silent and traditional blessing of the Goddess. "May you be safe my friend."

"Farewell." Nasir said then disappeared into the shadows as quickly as he had come.

The time was nearing, he could feel it. The pawns were getting closer to their places in which their usefulness will be most needed. His master may have indirectly aided in the fall of Daein and the loss of the medallion, but he will make sure to have his true intentions realized. The power of the Gods will again be harnessed to rule the whole of Tellius again, despite its forbidden uses such as the galldr. But he will finish what was started, it HAD to be done!

Otherwise all would be lost and the world would become a terrible place again. It was up to him to fix the world, to rebuild it as it was meant to be. The mere thought made him grin with bliss.

Despite his wonderful thoughts, he did not jump or flinch when the presence of another appeared behind him.

"You have arrived. I am honored to be of service." he said to the new arrival, lowering himself to the ground and bowing his head as far as it would go. "The plans are still in motion and the Apostle is cooperating rather nicely."

"Good, you have served me well, human, Do not let anything hinder the young swordsman. He must enter the rest of Tellius in order to be broken. Understand?"

"Yes, oh yes I understand completely. Leave these trivial matters to me."

The person did not reply but merely snorted and walked past the kneeling human and into the back room. It he was not in such a condition, he would not have no need for mortal needs yet he was cursed be in such a form. Knowing the human outside would not dare disturb him, he propped his arms above his head and closed his eyes.

The Apostle was one of the tools he needed but it just depended on how much power he could wield through her. If she turned out inadequate in the long run, it would be entertaining to see the people of Begnion despair once again as another of the their beloved Apostles died. But who to make take the blame this time was a decision indeed.

Planning on a tired mind and weary body was beginning to make his temples ache. Closing his pale white eyes, the man smirked in his sleep at the time to come when he could wreck havoc once he attained his former powers. Then the abhorred parents of his cursed cousin will never mess with him again. For their actions, he would make sure the world went up in flames.

The day just was not getting better for him. Considering he left Begnion maybe a day after he arriving there for his sister, only to travel through Begnion and Daein and have his best friend beat up right in front of his eyes. Now to top it all off, the assistant of the woman he fought for so many years ago to faint at the sight of a transformed laguz cub.

From what he was told after hearing the scream that made his muscles clench, Mist had heard the Crimean mage yelling from the tent while the healer was on her way back to check on the two recovering said mages. Tyna had then hurried from the tent in anger only to scream again, albeit much louder as if in horror and then collapsed. Little Syris, who had seemed to transform in her Beorc form, scared them both.

He ran there in about twenty seconds, demanding what the devil was going on. After ordering Boyd to take the girl back to her cot and for Titania to tend to her, he joined his sister at Syris' side. Soren was holding the transformed cat eared laguz in his arms as she licked at the left over balm on his fingers, even though he was trying to keep it away from her mouth. In her human form, she preferred to speak the Ancient Language that he noticed laguz who didn't know the Beorc speech would use. However Syris' was in broken Ancient since she didn't learn many words from her parents while in slavery.

It was a good thing all three of them had learned some of the Ancient Lanuage from the Gallians and from what Sephiran had taught Soren. Rubbing at the laguz' back while she clung to Soren's under robe, Mist asked Syris what she could remember happening.

"Kitten, are you alright? What happened with the big sister who came out of the tent?" Mist asked in her lilting galldr accent which reminded Ike of the Serenes Princess.

The little laguz rested her cheek against Soren's chest and looked up at Mist with her big, golden eyes. "Ousiawayiamemotoesa." (She look weak. Sweaty and dizzy.)

Ike narrowed his eyes at the reply before raising a brow at his friend. The sage shrugged and adjusted the talisman necklace around the little laguz' neck.

"Anything else?" Ike asked this time, his voice more gruff with an almost growl tone to it. "What about the scream?"

It was that question that made Syris frown and clench tighter at the robe she was clinging to, her short claws tearing small holes and lightly grazing the skin beneath. Soren merely grunted but did not move. "Ihsarawetmishorosoeena." (Scared at me. Horror-looked.)

This reply made all three look at the little laguz. Mist had paused in rubbing the laguz' back, the sage who was holding her narrowed his eyes and Ike reached forward to lightly trace the outline of the little kit's ear.

"Ukuzus." he murmured, using the word for continue or keep going.

"Istadukayiihsoh." she whispered, closing her eyes. (Want to help.)

Ike nodded while noting his sister's worried expression. Soren kept staring past the little one's head to the ground, his eyes becoming blank pieces of ruby coal.

"Atihsiamemotogirikanak." (Screamed. Fainted.)

Later, after Mist took the little laguz over to the other side of the camp where Oscar was cooking again, only this time he was preparing some soup that was for Tyna. Crossing his arms, Ike stared through the flap that was tied back to show the unconscious form of the purple and blue haired mage. Boyd, Soren and Titania were gathered at his sides, all following his gaze.

"What do you make of this, Ike?" asked the red paladin quietly, her ruby stare leaving the girl to focus on him.

"She seems to be scared of laguz. Soren?" he asked, turning towards his best friend but the sage kept staring at the girl.

"What toubles me is the word Syris used."

Boyd frowned. "Huh? What word?"

Their commander gripped his chin and turned towards the axe wielder and paladin, "Yeah, that's right. She used the Ancient word 'ihsoroso' for horror or horrified, not 'usakodo', the usual word for scare and startle." Lifting his head to meet Soren's gaze, he let his hand fall back to his side.

"I asked her before Mist took her. It seems she is aware of the difference and it was the word she wanted to use." replied the sage instantly at the silent inquiry. His red eyes were narrowed and hard. "Tyna had a look of horror when seeing Syris, she wasn't just startled or surprised."

"When she wakes up and she reacts anything similar to Syris in her human form, chances are she has a phobia of laguz. But she could have been taken off guard by the sudden transformation. We will not know until she awakens." supplied Titania, motioning lightly in the mentioned girl's direction. Boyd and Ike nodded their agreement, heading towards the campfire for lunch. Titania was about to follow when she noticed that Soren was not coming along. His head was bowed, dark lengths of hair shadowing his face from view.

"Soren?" she asked, frowning at him. "What-"

"Its nothing. I will eat later. I have the mages to teach." he murmured in almost a whisper, turning sharply towards where the Begnion mages were standing. Earlier the sage had ordered them to stay back until the situation could be deciphered. The paladin gave him one more frowning glance before shaking her head and heading back to join the others.

To be continued!

Oh my that was an intense and confusing chapter to write. But it also adds to the drama, nee? I have to admit I was debating even just cutting it half way through and saving the rest for the next chapter but I think I have left you hanging long enough. Hope you like and look forward to all those sweet and juicy reviews. Sorry there wasn't much action in this chapter but you know us authors. We like going slow and setting up for those pieces that blow you fans away and make you love us more!

Hopefully all those who added this story to their alerts will review and that I didn't lose anyone.

Look forward to the next chapter!

-Kitani!!!!