So, this place is called Tellius, huh? Well, we know this isn't our world. Z began as Kalas was wandering around the camp. The swordsman was just getting his surroundings together when he stumbled into someone pretty hard. "Oof! Hey, watch it!" he snapped. The person he bumped into was a man wearing green, an orange, short scarf around his shoulders, with long, dark magenta hair in a ponytail, holding a bow. The man scoffed at Kalas, glaring at him too.
"Stupid sub-human. Get out of my way."
"What was that? I believe you were in MY way, jerk!"
"Humph. I couldn't care less. Just stay out of my way, freak." The man turned another way and walked off, still irritated. The same could be said about Kalas; he was still fuming. "What's the deal with that guy? Calling me a silly name like that?"
"…Sorry about him."
Kalas turned around, only to find the blue cat man, Ranulf, approaching him. "Sorry about what?" The blue-haired teen questioned.
"About him. The sniper, Shinon. He doesn't like laguz like most of the world does… It's a bit of a racist situation."
"Hmph. I don't really care."
Kalas! That was really rude!
"I mean I don't care about that Shinon guy and what he thinks about the laguz or whatever. For some reason that name 'sub-human' gets me irked. I have no idea why…"
"Well, it's because that apparent term many beorc use is an insult to us laguz."
"What's the deal with this 'beorc' and 'laguz' stuff, anyway? Why do you guys use those terms when referring to humans and uh… you animal people?"
Ranulf twitched his ear, closing his eyes, trying to remind himself that Kalas is a newcomer to Tellius and didn't know the terms. He was ignoring a building fury inside of him that was easily quelled. "Those are the right terms to address the people living. We're all separated as… categories you can say. 'Laguz' is the correct term for… animal people, and 'beorc' is the right term to address the humans. Simply saying 'human' is an insult to the beorc as sub-human is to us laguz. Sorry if that seems all confusing to you."
Huh. That does make sense now that you mention it. Z said.
"…Doesn't make much sense to me—"
Ugh! You're such a derp! Doesn't ANYTHING make sense to you?
"Shut up, Z. You nagging me doesn't make sense to me. As I was trying to say, I think I can grasp it after awhile. It'll get some used to saying…" Kalas finished, and ignored the rant of his annoying Guardian Spirit. Ranulf chuckled at their bantering, a smile coming across his face. "Heh, you two sound like a married couple arguing that way."
"What the—! I wouldn't even think about marrying this nagging guy! All he does is annoy me to no end! You couldn't pay me enough to try engaging him! All he does is peer into people's hearts without asking them and exposing their secrets!"
This idiot couldn't even add two plus two together before getting a headache! You couldn't send him to do your homework without imploding mentally!
"Why you!"
King of Derps!
"Ghost face!"
Fart head!
"Figment of imagination!"
"All right you two, enough. It's giving me a headache." Ranulf interjected, rubbing his head to further show his expressive voice. The two bickering stopped after hurling another round of insults at another, earning a light glare from the cat laguz. "It's bad enough I had to deal with Skirmir the first time…" He muttered lightly. Kalas didn't catch wind of that, but Z and his amazing spirit sensing powers did.
What do you mean about Skirmir, Ranulf?
"Eh! Nothing… important."
Oh really? I can look into your heart from here, Ranulf. I can tell if you're telling the truth or not.
"Geh… please don't."
"See what I mean? He's a nagging, annoying, nuisance that likes to peer into people's hearts without their permission." Kalas said, proving his point. Z growled lowly, pouting at the outlandish claim made against him. "And stop doing that, Z. You don't have a face to pout with."
I wish I had hands to slap you with!
"Hah! Dream on!"
Grrr!
"Last time I checked, Guardian Spirit's didn't growl."
Agh! You're such a nincompoop! That's it! I'm not gonna talk to you for the rest of the day!
"Fine then. The Silent Treatment, huh? Be that way."
Fine!
"Fine!"
I'm not talking to you, now!
"Good!"
Kalas crossed his arms defiantly, and the silent treatment started between them. Ranulf just shook his head, and decided to change the subject before anything worse happened. Most of their questions had been answered when in Ike's tent half an hour ago, but there had to be something else they didn't get an answer to. Think, think… Ranulf pondered, then something popped in his head. Ah, I know! "Kalas, I've a question."
"Yeah?"
"Those… sack of cards you have… What are they?"
"Oh these?" The teen indicated the brown leather bag tied to his belt, which the blue cat man nodded when he pointed to them. "They're called magnus. Where I'm from, they can draw the magna essence of objects, making them easier to store."
"Huh? How so?"
"Uhh." Kalas stuttered, looking around for something; he spotted a crate of medical supplies not too far from where they were standing. "Ah, I know… Like this. Watch." The blue-haired teenager walked over to the crate he spotted a moment ago, and withdrew one of his blank quest magnus cards. Whatever that meant. He lined it up with the crate and suddenly, it disappeared in a flash of energy. Ranulf's eyes went bug-eyed in surprise, his mouth gaping open as well. "Woah…! Wh-where did it go?"
"In here." Kalas showed the card to the cat man. Ranulf looked at it, and indeed, the crate was on the flat surface of the card. Weird. "…That's it? It's like just a picture of it…"
"Yeah. When we need it, I can just release the magna essence of it, and it'll reappear. Like I said; it makes things easier to carry."
"Well, no doubt that's easier if it's as simple as that! Hey, how many of those do you have?"
"A lot. Do you need to borrow some?"
"Definitely. See, we're still on the run, and we have many wounded men and a lot of supplies to carry back with us. We have a caravan and all, but most are crates and heavy things like that. It would make our travel to Gallia faster."
"Well OK then." Kalas took out fifteen blank magnus and gave them to Ranulf. "Just stand in front of the object you want stored, hold the card over it and it'll go in. Easy as that." Ranulf took them gratefully, smiling. "Thank you, Kalas. You're a big help!" He raced off through the camp, storing the magna essence of things he thought was the heaviest thing to store. His fellow laguz only stared at him in confusion, gaping their mouths open and awe, wondering how he was doing that.
"How is Captain Ranulf doing that?" one asked.
"I don't know!"
"I never knew he was one for magic!"
"Captain Ranulf is amazing."
Kalas just shook his head as he overheard their chattering, and decided to walk off a bit. He knew they would be on the move soon, to avoid this Central Army of Begnion. Whatever it was called. He didn't really care much. He only wanted to get back to his world. But the only thing is, how would he?
"Why do I have the feeling this is going to take a long time to figure this out…?"
"Janaff, how many days are they from us?" Ike asked the blond-haired hawk, who was gazing into the nothingness behind the Alliance.
"I say they're about a day and a half behind." Janaff replied. The ones near him sighed heavily, knowing this wasn't good news to hear. "For beorc, they sure move pretty fast."
"At this rate, they'll catch up to us and corner us too." Tibarn added. "If we were to cross the border from Begnion to Gallia, they'd discover the secret shortcut. We can't expose you kittens to that danger."
"Agh. Then there is really no way…?" Ranulf complained slightly. "That just complicates things."
"Actually, there is a way." Soren interrupted, gaining the attention of his peers. "There's a rumor of some caves near here. Perhaps we could go through them."
"Ah those." Ranulf spoke up, hearing this. "Those are the Kauku Caves and you don't want to go in there. It's not only the hottest place in Tellius, it's a literal death trap. Just walking in there will be the end of you. Not only that, there's a rumor that there are two exits from it. One leads to Gallia and the other to Goldoa. Imagine if we stumbled into Goldoa…"
"And not only that. My men are wounded!" Skirmir added in worriedly. "We cannot risk anymore injuries!"
"Well, while you chicken heads are babbling away, the enemy is now a day behind us." Janaff concluded, still being the eyes of the group. "They'll be here before we even have time to eat breakfast!"
"Then that settles it. We head for the Kauku Caves. Now." The tactician nearly commanded. So far, Soren's tactical prowess has led to many victories for the Alliance, and they wouldn't doubt their little wind mage this time, either. Kalas had overheard the conversation, and the group was now heading for some caves that are extremely hot. Great. How can this get any worse…
"How can this get any worse?" he wondered to himself, making sure to keep a few feet away from everybody as many didn't enjoy his company. Especially that Shinon man. 'This place is just too crazy for me. And there are so many rude people. Humph! I don't really care anyway.'
…Your negative thoughts are ruining my silence.
"Thought you weren't going to talk to me for the rest of the day? What happened to that?"
Shut up. I'm… bored. It's no fun to not insult someone for such a long time.
"Then go insult somebody. Sheesh."
Humph! I will then. Let's see… That guy named Shinon's an ass. Ah…! I found his heart. Ahem. Hello!
The pink haired—excuse me, I meant to type, the magenta haired sniper flickered his eyes open, his conversation with Gatrie being interrupted abruptly. "Who is that? Who are you?" the bow user demanded rudely, which Z had to try containing his excited giggles. Gatrie blinked, wondering what that voice was, too. He had heard it during the camp earlier, but it was quite faint and he didn't know where it was coming from. Now, it was very clear and he was interested in figuring out whose it was. Unfortunately for him, Z peered into his heart and saw those desired thoughts.
Hello Gatrie! You're wondering who I am?
"Ah! That sweet, heavenly filled voice yet again!" the general-clad man purred.
Uhh… erm…
"Your voice is so lovely! Who are you, good lady?"
"Gatrie… that voice isn't—" Shinon started but the spirit was quicker than him.
I'm… Z. That's my name. Heehee. The spirit tried sounding girly now on purpose, just to tease the lance user. Gatrie flickered his eyes lovingly, feeling enchanted and wanted to swoon this lady whom had the nicest voice ever. The sniper just slapped his forehead in worry, and another sniper near him with light green hair and blue eyes, Rolf, blinked wonderingly. "Hey, that voice does sound a bit nice." The boy bow user added, smiling.
"Ugh, Rolf not you too." complained Shinon.
Ha ha! The more the merrier, I'll say.
"Stop flirting, lover boy." Kalas lectured.
Shush, Kalas!
"Heads up everyone. Begnion soldiers are stationed in the caves." Ike warned, interrupting the chatter of Z, Gatrie, Shinon and Rolf. And, it was a relief to the blue-haired teenaged swordsman. He was getting annoyed by his guardian spirit's stupid flirting with Gatrie, and hated hearing the conversation as well. He couldn't just ignore it; it rang into his ears as well, since Z was listening in. They shared the same heart, so the body senses would also be shared. Unfortunately. "We'll route them, allowing Skirmir and his injured men through to search for an exit."
The soldiers agreed and entered the death caves one by one, slowing watching out for lava spurts and random other things. And by random other things… well we don't know just yet about them. "Finally, some action." Kalas snorted, ignoring Z's voice at the moment about 'watching out for the lava' and 'try not to use your wings'. The spirit only reminded Kalas of a certain fairy in a certain game in a certain timeline…
"Z… What are you trying to be? Navi the fairy? You're both so annoying, you should get married."
What the…? Who is this Navi person?
"Fairy." Kalas corrected.
Whatever! I don't know a Navi and I'll definitely not marry Navi, either! Did you forget I don't have a body, Kalas? You idiot.
"No, I didn't forget. You should just go visit the poor guy who's stuck with her and give him consolation."
And miss my chance at ruining your days and insulting you? Hah! Yeah right! By the way, stop alluding to other games! This one is Fire Emblem!
"…What?"
Hah! My ingenious fourth wall breaking has STUNNED you to silence!
"Whatever. I'm going to ignore what you said and move on." And thus, that is what our blue haired hero did. The Greil Mercenaries spread out in the cave, now up on the hot battlefield against men clad in red armor. "Heh. Now it's time to party." The swordsman unfurled his wings and flew towards a Begnion soldier, whom he frightened by his sudden appearance.
"S-sub-human!" he cried.
"Yeah yeah I heard that one before!" Kalas scoffed, taking out his swords and slashing the man with an Efreeti Saber cloaking his blade in flames. So much irony!
Kalas, can you refrain from using fire element inside a lava cave? It makes things so much HOTTER. And I'm getting hot!
"Tch. Whatever."
Ike and Soren teamed up against an armored general wielding a lance; the wind mage struck from a distance using his fire magic and the commander finished the man off with his Steel sword. Both Rolf and Shinon were striking at a fair distance themselves, firing arrows at the enemy infantry, and Gatrie and a purple haired girl with a big grin wearing orange named Mia, cleared them off. Two darker green haired brothers, Oscar and Boyd, cleared out some soldiers, one by one as well as a red haired woman, Titania. Mist, Ike's little sister and Rhys were on opposite sides of the battle ground, going around healing their teammates, while Reyson used his singing to keep them all going. They were doing exceptionally well.
Wow, they're good. Z admitted, and Kalas only shrugged.
The teenaged swordsman took a look around, seeing Janaff and Ulki in their huge hawk forms lending a hand…er talon to taking out the soldiers and then Ranulf in his cat form. 'Huh, I didn't think he'd be an all blue cat in his beast form…' Kalas thought. Then an enemy mage garbed in red, holding a red colored tome charged at Ranulf, casting a flaming magic! The azure feline hissed in pain, apparently not liking the fire.
"Ranulf!"
He's hurt! Kalas, do something!
"I am! Shush it!" The raven-winged teen rushed at the fire mage, his blade infused with a Ray of Truth, the holy element, and struck the mage deep into his abdomen, sealing his death. Ranulf shifted out of his laguz form, panting in exhaustion. "Ouch… that really hurt."
"Ranulf, are you all right?" Kalas asked, earning a gasp from his guardian spirit. "What?" he huffed at the spirit.
Oh my goodness, you're asking if he's all right. It's just a miracle, I think I was going to faint…
"Shut up, Z. Now is not the time for that."
Fine, fine. But Ranulf, are you really OK?
The cat man smiled weakly before allowing a frown to carve onto his features. "No, not really. We cat laguz hate fire magic. We're weak to them… and it's hard to see through the smoke it creates. That, and it burns our feet."
Oh no, you poor thing! Hurry up Kalas. Use a healing magnus on him!
"I know, I know. Sheesh." The defiant one pulled out a healing magnus; the Sacred Wine, and used it on Ranulf. Usually, it would come out and he could have drunk it, but the magna essence just filled into his body instead, re-energizing him, and mending his wounds. Ranulf's ears sparked up from the magical essence coaxing his body to move. "Wow. I feel great. Thanks, Kalas!"
"Of course. There's still a few more of them. Stay away from the fire…mages."
And do be careful!
"I will. Thank you." Ranulf smiled gratefully and shifted back into laguz form to assist his fellow comrades. It was hot, dank and annoyingly hot in this cave, Kalas wondered why he repeated the word 'hot' in his thoughts. Well, the place was burning up. He hoped he wouldn't have to deal with this anymore or ever again. When the boss of the area, Septimus was defeated, Skirmir announced he found an exit. Thank goodness! Of course, while exiting the caves, the two were at it yet again!
Ah, I think I was going to die in here!
"You're already dead, derpface."
Grr! For the last time, I don't have a face to be derpy about! You take that back, Kalas!
"Not a chance."
Peanut head!
"Fourth wall breaker!"
Fruity loops!
"Ghost post!"
…What the dush is a ghost post?
"No idea."
Ugh. You're HOPELESS!
"I am NOT you figment of imagination you—"
The group suddenly stopped moving. They were outside finally, the air was still as fresh as ever. It was clearly passed noon and the wounded were relieved. "Ah finally! Gallia awaits us, my brothers! We can finally go home and—"
"Has all the heat gone to your head? Look around Skirmir. This isn't Gallia!"
"Uh-oh, that means this is…"
"Hey you there! How dare you trespass into Goldoa! Who gave you permission?" a man with a white headband bellowed, his ears were pointy, his eyes were blood red, and he was garbed in a simple red tunic shirt and white trousers. On his face, were red, stripe-like markings. Could be another laguz of sorts? "This… can't be Goldoa! The land of the dragons! Ah by the goddess did we mess up…" Ranulf sighed.
"Looks like we have to go pay that old lizard a visit, don't we?" Tibarn snorted, looking and sounding upset.
"Guess we have no choice. We have to explain our situation to him." Ike added.
"I've always wanted to meet a dragon of Goldoa, but this isn't exactly how I wanted it to be…" Skirmir sighed. Kalas and Z overheard all this and wondered why they, the others, weren't excited to be in a land where dragons! Who wouldn't?
…I guess being here is a bad thing… Z started up.
"No kidding. Ranulf and the others look pretty sad about this. Guess we'll find out sooner or later what this is all about." The Alliance was escorted through a long, windy barren trail to a massive stone, Parthenon-looking place atop a mountainous block. This is the land of Goldoa, where the dragon tribes exist. Nobody is allowed to enter into their lands, whether beorc or laguz, and has stayed neutral to all wars of the lands outside of it, as the law of their dragon King, Dhesighna.
Something tells me the dragon king's name is spelled wrong… but my fingers are too tired to fix the error right now. Anyway! Leave a review if you want!