Hello everyone...okay before you all try and kill me, let me explain myself. Okay so first off the laptop with the original chapter kicked the bucket so to speak, and it took a few months before i got a new one, but even after that it was slow going considering I was reworking this one from scratch. second, work and Destiny kept me from coming up with anything. Work is excusable, playing Destiny however is... well it's only partially excusable. That game give me a few possible ideas on how to fully work some of the characters in this series. yes folks your eyes aren't deceiving you i said series, it may be some time before i get back to Tellius but trust me if you enjoy this story you'll enjoy the other ones i have lined up. but in the meantime let the chapter begin.
Chapter 18
The sound of clashing steel, clanking armor, and blood curdling screams of agony were the only things heard for miles as the apostle's guards, the Greil Mercenaries, and pirates did battle aboard their ships. Shadow, for all his skill, was having difficulty keeping pace with everyone else. Though to be fair he had been in the fight longer than Ike and his group had been. The young man however was grateful all the same for the mercenary commander's assistance. Currently, the young swordmaster was in a heated battle with a myrmidon and a fire mage, with said mage augmenting the myrmidon's steel sword with fire magic. Not one to be outdone by mere pirates, Shadow augmented his own blade with his Aqua Edge Technique. His two opponents watched as the blade itself was engulfed with water before taking on an almost crystal-like appearance. Shadow smirked as he rushed towards the sword user first, his water enhanced sword meeting the myrmidon's own fire encased blade. The mage, after getting over what he just saw, opened his Elfire tome and mumbled a chant before launching a large fireball at the two in hopes of hitting Shadow. Sadly, instead of hitting the boy, the mage struck his partner in the back by mistake which allowed Shadow to finish him off with a sword thrust to the heart.
While Shadow finished off his two opponents Lethe was fending off a fighter in her transformed state with Romeria acting as support. Romeria started things off with a simple thunder spell aimed at the man's right arm hoping to disarm him long enough for her laguz partner to deliver the killing blow. The thunder spell hit its marked and Lethe leapt at the man and tore his throat out with her fangs. With the deed done, Lethe transformed back into her humanoid form and walked towards Romeria with a stretch of her arms feeling satisfied with their work. "Ahhhhhh, well I feel a little better now." Lethe said as she continued to stretch. Romeria looked at the dead body before her and paled at the thought that Lethe could do such a thing without even so much as batting an eye. "Ummm, Lethe, don't you think that was a little excessive?" the young mage asked her partner. The strawberry blonde turned her head to look at Romeria, and with a sigh she began to speak. "This is a battle Romeria, and in battle you must be willing to kill your opponent in any way possible." the laguz girl lectured. Romeria looked down at the ship deck, not wanting to meet the older girl's gaze. Lethe took notice of the young mage's refusal to look at her and stepped toward Romeria. Unfortunately, she didn't get far as an archer took aim at the untransformed cat and fired an arrow at her. The arrow pierced Lethe's right leg forcing the girl to howl in pain.
Shadow had heard the painful cry and gazed upon a helpless Lethe and Romeria as the archer readied another arrow. Thinking fast, the young swordsman quickly scanned his surroundings and found a javelin jammed into the deck, possibly from a spearman with bad aim. Shadow quickly ran to the javelin, pulled it out from the deck, and threw the javelin toward the archer. The weapon struck true as it then became lodged in the archer's torso, killing him painfully. Romeria smiled as Shadow approached her and the injured Lethe with a vulnerary bottle in hand. "Here you go Lethe this should help." Shadow said as he handed Lethe the bottle. The laguz wasted no time in applying the medicine to her leg, and within moments she was able to stand on her own. She gave Shadow an appreciative nod and ran off to rejoin the fray. Romeria for her part decided it was best to stick with Shadow in case he needed back up.
"Damn it! What the hell is wrong with me? He gives me a salve and all I do is nod to him." Lethe mentally berated herself for the simple action. Granted the gift wasn't really anything special, but to Lethe, it showed that Shadow did care for her to some degree. If nothing else, it was something she could work with. While Lethe had no particular destination in mind, she did, however run into Lyre, who gave her sister a mischeivous grin. "I know what you're thinking Lyre, and you need to stop that train of thought." Lethe said. Lyre pouted cutely as her sister continued to walk past her. "But sis you two would look so cute together." she whined. "Damn it Lyre! Why is it so difficult for you accept that me and Shadow don't like each other that way if at all!" Lethe snapped getting her twin to flich a little.
Minutes passed by, and before anyone even realized it the battle was over. Tanith and Sigrun had returned with their squad, their armor containing patches of blood from the ravens they slew. "Well it seems that everything is under control, correct Shadow." Sigrun asked. The young swordsman nodded and quickly reported the events that transpired up until the present. After reporting everything the trio descended the stairs below the ship to check on the empress. Reaching the door and pushing it open Shadow found the room to be relatively empty, and got worried. "Wait a minute, she was here, I know she was." Shadow said panic becoming evident in his voice. Sigrun and Tanith for their parts proceeded further down the hallway opening more doors only to find that like the first room, they too were empty.
Shadow had rushed outside and quickly started to search the enemy ship for any signs of the apostle, there were none to be found. As the boy walked towards the Crimean ship housing the mercenaries and Princess Elincia, he came upon a scene that he would laugh about when he was alone. For you see Ike, Mist, and Lethe had all found Empress Sanaki, as evidenced by the hand shaped mark on Ike's left cheek.
And there you have it folks that was the real chapter 18, please be patient as i try and get chapter 19 done up. have a good one.