K-Gforever: Ah! I've finally got another chapter up! It didn't take so long this time! Yay!
Jaffar: Though you should be doing school work instead of typing this thing. No one really reads it anyway!
K-Gforever: Have you seen my review box? I've got...some. --'
Jaffar: My point exactly.
K-Gforever: I would like to thank, Swordchick, Raitei and Darknal. Heh, and I'm glad I got you with that blood part, Swordchick. ;P
Jaffar: And if anyone even 'thought' that K-Gforever owns or even claims to own Fire Emblem, then you have issues.
Ch6
The water temple was an impressive building. The stone was a dark blue and looked like petrified water. Warriors and other strong beasts were carved into the wall giving an ominous warning to trespassers, daring them to defile this sacred temple. The consequences usually ended with one of the Black Fang taking said trespassers' heads as prizes.
From the outside, it seemed as if there was only one floor to this structure, but below there was more than just an indoor swimming pool, there was a maze of platforms and bridges, each one spelling doom for those not strong enough to defeat each foe. Jaffar stared at the temple pondering the most strategic way of sneaking in unnoticed. He came to a conclusion, "Nino, I'm going to climb up to that window and throw down a rope for you to climb up yourself. There may be guards so keep a keen eye out." Nino nodded and stood a side while Jaffar braced himself. He pulled his two daggers out and calculated how hard he'd have to dig them in between the stones so to not slip out. He jumped and dug one in. It barely went in just enough to keep him up but he had to dig the other one in fast before he fell. He went on with this difficult task, concentrating completely on his job, relying on Nino to warn him of any danger.
Jaffar's muscles aced and sweat stung his eyes, but he would not be hindered. As he finally reached the window, he flung himself over the sill and took a few seconds to get his breath while he scouted for guards in the interior; he was now completely sweaty and tired. He spotted someone in the shadows, and held his blade ready. The figure approached the light, "Hi Jaffar, the door was open so I let myself in so you wouldn't have to hold that rope for me!"
Jaffar nearly fell off the window sill, "What! Ugh!" He slumped and jumped down from where he was. She healed him with an elixir while he tried to keep his temper. He wasn't one to blow up over small issues but, THAT WAS A WASTE OF TIME AND ENERGY! 'I'm doing this for her,' He thought, 'I'm doing this for her-.'
When she finished Jaffar grumbled, "Come on." The steps that led to the underground labyrinth were steep and long. The corridor was so dark that it was difficult to even see your hand in front of your face, so Jaffar held Nino's hand so to make sure she didn't fall. They finally reached, a darkly lit pool wit platforms and bridges everywhere. The light given off by the few torches were carried about the entire corder by the water's reflection, making almost everything look blue.
Jaffar spotted a commotion off in the distance where the general direction of the throne room was, but he couldn't tell what was going on. Finally he spotted one of the older Black Fang members run in their direction. "Uncle Jan!" Nino cried. The man skidded to a stop in front of the two.
"Nino! That woman, Sonia she's-" but before he could finish his sentence a dark figure appeared.
"What were you going to say about me, old boy?" With a yell Jan took off, abandoning Nino and Jaffar to take care of the witch themselves. 'What a brave soul...' Jaffar thought sarcastically. He turned his attention back to the problem at hand.
O.O
Samus and Kristal, the tactitions, paused in front of the water temple, noticed the open doors, and nodded at each other. Samus turned to Lloyd and beaconed him to approach them, "Lloyd, do you know what's in there?"
Lloyd nodded, "Underground there's a large pool, with platforms and bridges that lead to a throne room. There's usually guards on each platform but none at the entrance. It'll be difficult to reach our goal, but we're more skilled, so it should be sufficient."
Samus turned to the rest of the group, "Okay, Hector, Lyn, Eliwood, Lloyd, Guy, Hawkeye, Dart, Florina, Priscilla, Raven, Lucius, Canas, Kristal and Matthew, you'll be coming with me. The rest of you should keep on guard in front of the doors, in case of any other unwanted guests decide to join in on the action, got it?" Everyone nodded, "Oh, and by the way, while we're gone, Markus and Kent are in charge. Let's go!"
O.O
Nino was so shaken. She leaned against a pillar, in shock, "I...I...I'm not your daughter?"
Sonia laughed, "Hah, there as a boy and a girl. The mother fiercely fought to the death for her precious daughter. Nino, your mother held you as I killed her! She clutched with her last breath hoping that her daughter would make it out alive! She even made a pathetic attempt at begging me to spare your life. Ahahaha!" Sonia cackled.
"No!" Nino shouted.
Sonia smiled, bathing in Nino's despair as if it were perfume to her, "Yes, you were still a mewling little whelp, but we took you with us. Lord Nergal thought you might maybe useful, so he let you live. It was Lord Nergal's wish that I raise you as my daughter, I hated the very thought of it." Nino lowered her eyes. "We were so wrong about you! Stupid and useless beyond all reason! A worthless piece of offal! All you were was in the way!" Sonia's voice was now at a full roar.
Nino was now sobbing. Jaffar's anger began to flair, he couldn't take it any more, "That's why you wanted her dead! You harpy! You have no soul!" If his words were venom, Sonia would have collapsed that second.
Sonia smirked, "I never expected to hear such things from you, you idiotic bastard!" Sonia didn't appreciate being called names, "Once you killed without hesitation at Lord Nergal's command. What happened to the all feared beast, Angel of Death?"
Jaffar glared, "I'm no longer Nergal's leashed Demon, bringing death to all who opposed his evil deeds." Jaffar spat, "Now I am a protector. For Nino's sake... I will kill you!" Jaffar pulled his daggers and stepped closer to Sonia in front of Nino.
Nino held a hand out, "Jaffar!"
Jaffar gave her a glance, "Stay back, I will take care of this she-devil."
Sonia threw her head back, "Ahahaha! 'Stay back' How rich how noble! So shall I pass judgment on you as the Black Fang must with traitors? Ha ha ha! Jaffar, I sentence you to death! Prepare to be punished for treason!" Sonia began to form a ball of ice in her hand.
Then out of nowhere a voice rang in, "I won't allow that!" Eliwood rushed in followed by the other lords and members of the rescue party, "Nino, Jaffar, are you okay!"
Hector ran up beside Eliwood and eyed the two, "Bah, look at the trouble you've caused!"
Lloyd appeared and saw how shaken his step-sister looked., "Nino!"
Lyn arrived as well she had a more gentle look on her features than Hector, "We're companions now, you mustn't forget that!"
Nino smiled, "Everyone.." Even Jaffar felt a little relived that they came, and was glad that they weren't going to abandon them, or at least Nino, that easily.Sonia laughed, "Such sweet friends, Nino...Sorry to cut short your little reunion, I won't let you get away, you will all die! And, you Lloyd, you should have stayed gone. Now all you'll be doing is giving up your lovely quintessence. Ahahaha!" She disappeared as the whole temple began to shake.
While Lyn was trying to keep her balance she almost fell off the edge, "Wha-Eeek!" Before Lyn could plummet to her doom, though, a strong hand grabbed her arm. "Huh?" She looked up to see Lloyd holding on to her over the edge. Jaffar grabbed Nino by the waist and jumped across the collapsing bridge as well.
Lloyd pulled Lyn up, "Are you alright?" he asked her with concern still holding on to her arm and hand. Lyn blushed and nodded. She cleared her throat, "Um, Nino, Jaffar are you two alright?" They both gave a nod.
Hector wobbled, "Woah! This place is filling with water!" The bridges that led to the other platforms completely disappeared under the water.
Then, more cackling could be heard. Sonia's voice echoed thought the entire room, "Proceed if you dare, ether way you'll die painfully and slowly! Ahahahahah!" A moment later, some bridges appeared in different parts of the entire room connecting the platforms and making a path for them to proceed.
"Bridges? I guess she's being courteous..." Hector grumbled.
Nino stood by Jaffar, "Oh...I'm sorry everyone, All of this...it's..." Jaffar felt bad for Nino, but just couldn't find the words to comfort her.
Lyn did it for him, she placed a hand on Nino's shoulder."Nino, calm down. I told you didn't I? We came because were friends. There's no need to apologize. And ignore Hector, you know he actually likes to fight." She smiled and said blue lord just crossed his arms...then shrugged realizing that she was true.
"Alright everyone!" Samus got everyone's attention, "This'll obviously be tough, but we can handle it. I've scouted the area with my telescope and here's what I've got. Hawkeye and Dart, you two will travel in the water going up ahead and defeating the long-range units and waverns that will come to you." The two berserkers nodded took their positions. "Lucius will back up Raven. Kristal will guard Priscilla who will be near the center so she can have quick access to anyone who needs healing or restoration. Canas, stick with Nino and Jaffar. Lloyd Lyn,and Eliwood, you will lead, stay together. Hector will branch off with some of the others when I say so. Florina you'll be Hector's back up from the sky, you can skirt around him over the water and take on any water born enemies." She nodded and made sure she had her sword with her, "And lastly, Matthew, I see some items that could be stolen and there appears to be some treasure chests over there. Guy, you'll be his body guard." Guy nodded, he and Matthew were now at better terms so he could handle it, plus he was a swordmaster now. Everyone nodded and assembled to their positions. (Wow, that's the longest paragraph in my story so far! Oo)
O.O
The battle was fierce. Matthew managed to steal a good amount of loot. With the help of Guy who fought off the last wavern who had appeared out of nowhere knocking off the last favor he owed him. Canas, Lucius, and Kristal were blasting enemy waverns and pirates left and right, and everyone else was doing just as well. Now with all other enemies finished, everyone approached the throne room.
Lloyd stepped up first. Sonia sneered, "So you managed to get this far...but this is your final stop! I will kill you for hurting my Lord Nergal!" And before she could strike first, Lloyd dashed right in and sliced her side, she had barely managed to get out of his full blow which might have killed her instantly. She shot a burst of ice at him and he managed to dodge with his incredible speed. He countered but missed his blow.
Kristal used the distraction to get her Luna ready and shot, hitting her target, but Sonia swerved her head to her and fired a blast of ice that struck. "Ahh!" Kristal cried. She fell to the floor shivering. Florina quickly dived in and swooped her up before another blow could be made.
Jaffar dashed in and stabbed Sonia in the stomach. "Gah!" Sonia spat blood on his face, but he held his ground, and yelled, "Now, Nino!" A column of fire blasted right in front of Jaffar engulfing Sonia completely. Jaffar pulled back with his dagger in hand and wiping his face with a corner of his cape. A shrill screaming came from the flames, and as they disappeared, Sonia collapsed to the ground, dropping a rolled up paper. Matthew picked it up and smiled, "Hey, this is a fell contract! I'll be keeping this." He stocked back to the group.
Jaffar saw Nino shaking and walked up to her placing an arm around her shoulders. She instantly turned around and sobbed into his chest. He felt her warmth against him. "Um, we'll be outside," Lyn's voice came out quietly. Jaffar nodded in acknowledgment.
After a few more minutes, Jaffar nudged Nino's shoulder. "Let's go." She nodded and they walked together outside in silence.
They reached the camp Lloyd came up and hugged Nino, "You were great...and you did the right thing. Don't worry about it, she wasn't even human, I think..." he gave her a gentle smile, "C'mon, want to get some lunch?" Nino nodded and they walked to the food area holding hands. Lloyd waved back to Jaffar.
Jaffar sighed and headed back towards his tent, he wasn't very hungry. He passed by the Lord Hector but almost bumped into him when he got in front of him. Jaffar looked up at him. Hector frowned, "Look, I dunno how you feel about it, but I want you to know that I don't trust you. I want to smash your face in every time I see it. I'm not like the others. Especially not Eliwood...he's a softy and believes you. But if he says you're one of us, then that's that." Jaffar was wondering the whole point of this one-sided conversation and wanted this guy to just spill it already, "Whatever you do, you better not betray Eliwood. If you do anything remotely suspicious for whatever reason, I'll cut you down where you stand. Remember that!" 'So that's what he wanted,' Jaffar mused. He just nodded and walked off towards his tent, the days battle was beginning to get to him.
O.O
"You wanted to see me ,father?" young Jeremy asked as he peeked his head into the throne room. His father sat majestically on his large throne and gave a smile and nod.
"Yes come in son, and guards, close the doors. I want to have a father-son talk with my son." He smiled again at his heir. Jeremy strode up to his father and gave a courtesy bow. "Sit," the marquis patted his right knee. Jeremy giggled and hopped on up. "Son, one day you'll become a marquis and take my place on the throne. Everyone must be able to depend on you to make wise and fair decisions...Your brother will not become a marquis, unless he marries a young princes from another country." Jeremy scrunched his nose and giggled, "But he'll always be there to help you as well. I know that he'll become your best friend and no one will be able to get in between you. You may quarrel, and one of you might even leave for a while, but remember, almost nothing is a strong as brotherly love." Jeremy smiled. He knew that nothing would ever separate them two...never...
O.O
Jaffar awoke as soon as he felt an arm wrap around him. He rolled completely around only to face to face with one of the army members. He scoot back a bit and let the other man's arm flop to the ground. He figured Nino must have spent the night at Lloyd's tent that night. He glanced back at the sleeping form beside him to later identify him just in case. He appeared to be a Sacean with long black hair and a look to his features that meant death to anyone stupid enough to mess with him. Jaffar started to get an uneasy feeling about him, other than the fact that he was lying in the same proximity as him, so he slowly stood up and grabbed his stuff before leaving the tent.
Fresh air greeted him as he opened the tent flap. "Wow, you are amazing!" Jaffar turned to see the Hurricane stride up to him, "You survived a night without being massacred by the Sword Demon. We certainty have been gathering some interesting group members lately." Jaffar just rolled his eyes as he headed toward a near by forest.
When they reached a good dense part of the forest, Jaffar paused and glanced a Legault, "...A little privacy please..." Even he knew the indecency of relieving oneself in front of another, or even watching another. But instead of the thief leaving as he wanted,Legault turned and answered nature right there with him.
Jaffar could only stare for a few seconds. Legault looked over at him, "Hm...rude much? Get on with your own business."
"..." This was going to be a strange day...
O.O
"Hey, Jaffar! Look what Uncle Jan gave me!" Nino placed her tray of food on the log beside Jaffar and pulled out a heart-shaped locket. "He said it belonged to my real mother...I wish I knew them better..." She looked back at Jaffar, "I had a great chat with Lloyd last night. We even had a sleep over." She giggled, he even let me do his hair!" Jaffar pictured Lloyd with pig-tails, and lip-paint messily placed on him in the fashion young girls whom have yet to wear make-up could do. He couldn't help but laugh a bit. Maybe this day won't be so bad after all.
Eliwood passed by those two, but felt the need to stop by. Jaffar looked up at him with a questioning glance. Eliwood shifted uncomfortably, "Er, thank you Nino, and Jaffar. We would probably have lost some people there if you hadn't helped us out." He gave a slight nod, "And, Jaffar,...you almost got killed there...that was very brave...Well, we'll be heading to where we suspect the seal is. So you might want to get ready soon." He looked at Jaffar's eyes. They were so deep and hard, pain could bee seen through those eyes. And yet...they seemed so familiar. Jaffar cleared his throat, zapping Eliwood back to reality. He blushed as soon as he realized that he'd just been rudely staring at Jaffar right in the eye. "Oh, er- that's all by!" Eliwood then did his best to scurry off without looking too weird.
O.O
"Linus, the enemy is approaching." A Black Fang lackey bowed a the Rabid Dog's feet.
Linus faced the lackey, "Get ready, we shall avenge my brother..."
O.O
K-Gforever: Well that was nice and long for once!
Jaffar: ...no coment.
K-Gforever: Any way, did anyone notice the hint of LloydXLyn:) And as for Jaffar, I'm afraid that I might botch the NinoXJaffar couple even if they are my favorite. I don't think I'll do them together. So you've got three choices:
Jaffar/OOC
Jaffar/Yaoi
Jaffar/no one.
Tell me on your review. :)
Jaffar: What with number 2!
K-Gforever: REVIEW!