Chapter 2: Civil War Brewing
Back in Begnion, Zelgius returns to Sephiran and says, "Master, I've got news on that source of power you felt."
"Please tell me, Zelgius." says Sephiran.
"The source was a woman who has powers I've never seen before." says Zelgius. "Apparently, her spirit can manifest itself into a sword and armor with powers that could potentially get stronger. Even with my skills, she proved too much of a match for me."
"Interesting." says Sephiran.
"However, when I saw the mark on her back, everything made sense." says Zelgius.
"A mark?" asks Sephiran. "Do you mean to tell me she's a Branded?"
"Yes." says Zelgius.
"What did the mark look like?" asks Sephiran.
"It was of a bird." says Zelgius. "However, the way it was designed, it looked as if the wings were on fire."
"Wings on fire?" asks Sephiran. "Could it be that she's the daugther of...?"
"Daughter of who, Master?" asks Zelgius.
"Zelgius." says Sephiran. "I need to tell you this, so listen closely: if you meet that woman again, you must not fight her."
"Why do you say that, Master?" asks Zelgius.
"She's the daughter of a type of laguz thought to be extinct." says Sephiran. "And we're talking a type of laguz that even dwarfs the Black Dragons in power."
"That powerful?!" asks Zelgius.
"Yes." says Sephiran. "Whatever you do, you must instead convince her to join our cause. But I must warn you: the laguz she's born from are truly noble in will. It will not be an easy task."
"I'll try my best, Master." says Zelgius.
"I just hope we're successful." says Sephiran. "To think the only remaining one would have a child."
Kasumi finally arrives in Crimea in the afternoon, but things are not as she expected as she sees subtle tones of panic and unease in the local town.
"What could be happening?" asks Kasumi. "I thought this country was supposed to be at peace after the fight against Daein. So why are there people arming themselves for a battle?"
Kasumi then goes to a passing man armed with a sword and asks, "Excuse me, sir. I can't help but notice almost everyone here seems to be on edge. Whatever could be happening?"
"You must be new here." says the man. "Those of us who are tired of kowtowing to weaklings are rising up and launching a rebellion against Queen Elincia. We're going to dethrone that wench and replace her with a stronger leader."
"Dethrone? She can't be all that bad." says Kasumi. "What makes her such a weak ruler?"
"Too many things to name." says the man. "She claims to love peace, but in order to attain that peace, she's willing to compromise with nations like Daein and the sub-human nations. Can you believe that?"
Getting an angry look, Kasumi says, "Are you crazy?! How can you all have so much venom towards a queen that just wants peace for all people?! All nations want peace in the end! And a ruler who understands that is not weak! And how dare you refer to the Laguz with such a hateful title! If this is how things are going to be, then I will be forced to stop you all!"
"Wait! Are you in line with that weak queen?!" says the man.
"I'm in line with those that would bring the best in every nation and understand that war is not the answer to everything!" says Kasumi. "If you continue this path, you will face my fury!"
Kasumi's body erupts with swirling prismatic energy.
"What are you?!" shouts the man.
Everyone in the village sees this, and all fear for their lives.
"She's a monster!" says a man.
"Everyone! Prepare for battle!" says another man.
As all of the civilians close their doors, and the would-be rebels get in position to fight her, Kasumi changes into her armor in a flash of light.
"You!" says a man. "You're not a human, are you?!"
"Let's just say I'm on another level than all of you." says Kasumi as she unsheates her sword. "Now, I'm giving you one last warning. Stop this foolish tirade, or you will regret your deicision immensly."
"Get her!" shouts a man as he and the others charge at her.
Kasumi surrounds the blade of her sword in water, then slashes at the rushing men, hitting them with a rush of water that blows them away.
"I told you that you we're going to regret this." says Kasumi.
Meanwhile, in another part of the village, a tall, muscular, orange-haired man appears. He wears a black open vest with no shirt underneath and a grey leather strap going around it while a grey. metal pauldon is on his left shoulder. His baggy grey pants are held by a bulky, black leather belt, and he wears black metal boots that still leave him barefoot. To finish it all off, he wears a grey headband that covers his right eye. He wields twin axes.
"Not here too!" says the man. "More of these idiotic rebels! Don't these guys have any dignity?! Oh well, as long as I have a reason to fight, I may as well make minced meat out of these morons. Funny, thought I heard some screams coming from here, though."
The man rushes in and as a rebel sees him approaching, he asks, "Are you with us? Or are you on the side of that weakling of a queen?"
"How's THIS for an answer?!" shouts the man.
The man slashes the rebel down in one fell swoop.
"And if the rest of you don't stop this rebellion, you'll suffer the same fate!" says the man.
"He's in line with that woman who's attacking us!" says a rebel. "Take him down!"
However, the rebels are no match as the man easily and effotlessly takes down each rebel that crosses his path.
"Aah, after dealing with enough of these idiots, a little slicing and dicing is good for my nerves." says the man.
The man starts to hear more screams as some rebels are sent flying away.
"Now I KNOW I wasn't hearing things." says the man. "Time for some action!"
The man charges in, but soon appearing in front of him is Kasumi.
"What the hell?" says the man after coming to a stop.
"Are you another rebel?!" asks a demanding Kasumi.
"Don't throw me in line with those pond scum!" says the man.
"I'll take that as a no." says Kasumi.
"So, who are you, runt?" asks the man. "And what's with the tramp outfit?"
"Nice to meet you, too." says Kasumi. "My name is Kasumi. I can't disclose any more than that for the time being."
"Kasumi? That's an odd name." says the man. "My name is Aiden. I take it you're not from around these parts."
"I'd tell you more, but it's imperative I keep this on the down low until I can meet with the one I'm destined to fight along side." says Kasumi. "However, if you're fighting these rebels, then we apparently have a common enemy."
"Yeah, I guess we do." says Aiden. "If that's the case, let's team up and take these dirtbags down."
"Are you sure you can trust me?" asks Kasumi. "I'm not sure I should trust you."
"Believe me, I have my reasons for wanting to stop this army." says Aiden. "But that information is pretty delicate. You may not believe it, but I'm a pretty sensitive person when it comes to certain matters."
"Well, I guess this is a day for secrets." says Kasumi. "Alright, let's work together to make sure the queen of this realm doesn't have her power usurped."
"Definitely!" says Aiden. "Anything to keep Queen Elincia on the throne!"
After that, the two go together to eliminate the remaining rebels.
Kasumi uses quick sword slashes to take down rebels on her end, one after the other while Aiden deliver powerful axe blows against some armored knights.
Eventually, as Kasumi sees a group of rebels heading hers and Aiden's way, she readies her bow and she charges an arrow with what looks to be red energy. As she shoots it, the arrow impacts the ground, resulting in a powerful storm cloud that strikes the rebels with lightning blasts.
"Whoa!" says Aiden. "I'm taking it that little number you're wearing is what's allowing to pull stuff like that."
"You're quite observant." says Kasumi. "I'd tell you more, but we have their commander to deal with."
"Leave that scum to me!" says Aiden.
As Kasumi and Aiden approach the commander of this rebel force, he says to the two, "So, you two wish to defend that pathetic queen. Do you not care about the future of Crimea? With Daein out from Begnion's control, we could come under another attack from them because of her inabillity to take action."
"Anyone tell you idiots that you're quite paranoid?" asks Aiden. "Queen Elincia is doing her damned hardest to repair the damage that friggin' Ashnard caused this country. And what are you whiners doing about it?"
"Repairing the damage? More like she's weakening this country!" says the commander. "Her soft-hearted ways will be the bane of our existence. Only a man like Duke Ludveck of Felirae has the power and intelligence to rule Crimea."
"That pompous ass is behind this rebellion?" asks Aiden. "He would have the grapefruits to do such a stupid action."
"Yes, and I will die for him and his actions to become king of Crimea!" says the commander.
"Your lips to Ashera's ears." says Aiden.
"Why you!" says the commander.
The commander tries to do quick lance thrusts against both Aiden and Kasumi, but both dodge his sloppy attacks easily.
Kasumi does a palm strike with her, shooting forward an electrified tiger that pounces the commander.
"Do it, Aiden!" says Kasumi.
While the commander is stunned from the attack, Aiden does a jumping, double-axe strike, defeating the commander.
"Ha! You chumps aren't as skilled as you make yourselves out to be." says Aiden. "Had you actually gone up against the Crimean Army with those skills, you'd be in worse shape than from fighting us. Consider this the easy way out of trouble."
"Scum... You're both... Scum." says the commander.
"We'll give you all credit." says Kasumi. "At least you were ready to die for your cause. But as things stand right now, none of you have earned the right to die for your country as you don't understand the gravity of what it means to have such responsibilities. Maybe when you reflect on that, you'll have a better idea."
"Well, I guess we need to get these nimrods some help before we head off to warn Queen Elinicia." says Aiden.
"I wish I had time, but I'm trying to find a blue-haired warrior to join forces with." says Kasumi. "That is my goal at this point."
"Blue-haired warrior? You must mean Ike of the Greil Mercenaries." says Aiden. "I'd help, but even I don't know where they're at. No one's seen 'em around."
"So, you know of him." says Kasumi.
"I've HEARD of him." says Aiden. "But I couldn't point you in any specific direction. Listen, rather than wander the country side like a blind goose, why don't come with me to Melior so we can warn Queen Elinicia of this rebellion? If you ask the queen nicely, she might be able to point you in Ike's direction."
"I guess that would be better than going without help." says Kasumi. "Not to mention I would be doing the queen a service. And the priests would appreciate that. Also, I know what it's like to be in her position. Alright, I'll go with you, Aiden."
"Thanks." says Aiden. "It would be nice to have some company."
After a while, Kasumi, who's back in her original clothes, and Aiden are traveling together.
Just then, Aiden asks Kasumi, "Say, Kasumi, can I ask you something?"
"What is it?" asks Kasumi.
"Well... I noticed a mark on your back when we were fighting those rebels." says Aiden. "Are you by any chance a Branded?"
"You certainly have prejudistic names for people who are different." says Kasumi.
"Well, you'd better get use to it." says Aiden. "That's just how people in this continent are, especially in the cases of Daein and Begnion. Definitely so with the latter."
"Well, if you're asking if I have laguz blood in me, then yes, I do." says Kasumi.
"Then I have to ask." says Aiden. "How can you be so bold to show it off in that armor of yours when you fight? Is it like some kind of badge of courage for you?"
"In a way, yes." says Kasumi. "To the priests of my kingdom, that mark makes me the Savior to them."
"Ah, more of that predetermined BS, I see." says Aiden. "But, if it's just the priests calling you that, have you ever faced resentment and bigotry by others?"
Kasumi thinks back to a time people referred to her as a "monster" or "freak" because she had laguz blood while looking like a beorc.
"I have." says Kasumi.
"Then how do you show that mark off when you fight so easily?" asks Aiden.
"Because to hide something that's a part of you out of shame just because people wouldn't understand it is to betray your own right to exist." says Kasumi. "Why should I have to hide who I am?"
"Well, there is that whole thing of laguz and beorc procreating being a taboo against the Goddess." says Aiden. "Not to mention the laguz parent loses his or her ability to transform, as well as other laguz abilities. The fact the offspring basically show no physical laguz traits is kind of insult to injury."
"My mother never got to experience that." says Kasumi. "She died shortly after giving birth to me."
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that." says Aiden. "Forgive me for being a heartless bastard."
"You're not being heartless." says Kasumi. "You definitely show you care. So... thank you."
"Heh, guess I'm not such a jerk after all." says Aiden. "Usually, I close myself off to people a lot, but there's something different about you, Kasumi. Can't put my finger on what it is."
"Well, maybe you will learn more as we travel together." says Kasumi.
Just then, the two travelers end up running into Brom, Nephenee and Heather.
"Hey, who are you three?" asks Kasumi.
"You three better not be rebels!" says Aiden. "Seems you're heading towards Melior like we are."
"Rebels?" asks Brom. "We ain't with those guys, that's for sure."
"Yeah, we're goin' to warn her majesty about this rebellion." says Nephenee.
"I take it you three have also fought off rebels." says Kasumi. "Do you know this... Ludveck is leading it?"
"Sure do." says Brom. "And he's bit touched in the old cranium for tryin' to do such a thing."
"Like I'd ever accept that pompous blowhard as my king." says Heather. "I can't stand guys like him."
"Well, if you're going to warn the queen, then I guess it only makes sense for us to travel together." says Kasumi. "My name is Kasumi. The man with me is Aiden."
"Pleasure to meet ya'll." says Brom. "Name's Brom, and the gal in blue armor is Nephenee. We're couple o' veterans from the Mad King's War."
"You can call me Heather." says Heather. "And it would be a real treat for us to have another pretty girl come with us."
"In that case, we'd be glad to travel with you." says Kasumi. "Now, let's be on our way to this Melior."
"Yeah, sooner we can warn her majesty, the better." says Brom.
And with that, the five travel together.
To Be Continued in Chapter 3.