A/N:
I apologise for the long wait, but unfortunately, about a month ago, my computer just turned itself off and refused to turn on again. My dad tried to fix it, but it turned out that several parts needed replacing. I finally got it back today – yay for my dad! He's awesome.
Sothe was sitting on the edge of Micaiah's bed, watching her pale face closely. She still hadn't regained consciousness, and Sothe was getting more and more worried by the minute.
The door was opened and Pelleas came hurrying in, closely followed by his mother.
"Sothe! How is she?"
"The healer said there was nothing wrong with her body, and that she would wake up soon."
"Praise the goddess! But – what's wrong with her, then?"
"Don't you get it?! She's exhausted because she works day and night to keep this army running for you, and all you do is cause her more stress and trouble, forcing her to fight a war we shouldn't be fighting! She collapsed because of exhaustion!"
Pelleas winced. "I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to - "
"Save your apologies for someone who wants to hear them. You are endangering Micaiah's health, and I won't put up with this any more. If the laguz we shouldn't be fighting won't kill her, you surely will. I'm getting her out of here. See how you deal with the apostle."
"No, you can't leave! If Micaiah leaves this army, she will die!"
Sothe rose from the bed, feeling a strange calmness spreading over himself.
"So, the king finally shows his true colours. Listen, Pelleas: I don't care if you're the king or not. Threaten Micaiah again, and I'll kill you."
Almedha glared at Sothe, but he ignored her.
"No, you don't understand!", Pelleas exclaimed, looking distraught. "It's not just her... You. Me. Everyone is going to die. And it's all my fault."
"What in the world are you - "
"Pelleas, you didn't – you didn't sign a Blood Pact?", Almedha interrupted, her voice sounding hoarse.
Pelleas hung his head.
"Show me your arm."
Pelleas held out his left arm and pulled back his sleeve. A strange mark covered his entire wrist. Sothe had never seen anything like it before.
"This is it... the mark of a Blood Contract... it is just the same... Oh, my poor Pelleas... my poor, poor child... who did this to you?!"
"What's a Blood Contract? What's going on here?", Micaiah asked sleepily while sitting up, rubbing her eyes.
"Go on, tell us", Sothe growled. "If you come up with a good excuse for this mess, I might consider letting you live."
"First, you need to understand that I had no idea about this in the first place, or I wouldn't have signed it…", Pelleas replied, wringing his hands, the words coming out in a rushed manner. "The Blood Pact was among the documents I signed at the day of my coronation. I thought it to be a treaty with Begnion about reparations... Izuka had told me it was all right to sign it – it turned out that he was working for the senate all along."
"Well, you depended on him too much", Sothe retorted. "Serves you right."
"The night before I ordered Micaiah to attack the Laguz Alliance, I was visited by Vize-Minister Lekain. He told me to go to war. I politely refused, since their quarrel didn't concern me at all, and also because we were focusing our time, resources and money on rebuilding our country. That's when he showed me the document I had signed and told me what it was. He told me a story about a king who once signed such a pact with the senate. After the senate had helped him, he broke their agreement, and the senate invoked the curse of the Blood Pact in retaliation. On the first day, one man died. He was just a peasant, so no-one really noticed. Two died on the second, three on the third and so on... By the time the king realised what was going on, he had already lost half his people, not to mention his queen and their children... The king begged the senate to lift the curse, and promised to do everything they said... So, if I refuse to do as the senate says, all the people of Daein will die."
"I don't believe you. This is just a creepy story to scare little kings into eating their vegetables!", Sothe snapped.
"No, Sothe. It's the truth... I can see it clearly now. My powers weren't gone, just weakened from exhaustion. But there has to be a way to break the pact!"
"There is none. Lekain said so", Pelleas whispered, hanging his head.
"Of course he would say that! But, King Pelleas, you have an entire nation's resources to draw on. I'm sure you will find something, just don't give up hope! Because if you do, everything we have fought for during the Liberation War will have been for nothing, and I won't have that!"
"Can't we just ask the apostle for help?", Sothe asked. "She's a good person, I'm sure she'd help us."
"After I had my men call her a fraud and attack her? Besides, if the senators found out that we were plotting against them, they would surely invoke the curse…", Pelleas replied.
"I will buy you some time, you go look for a way to break the pact!", Micaiah said, rising to her feet.
"Are you sure?", Sothe asked.
"Yes. I won't abandon everyone."
"Thank you, Micaiah!" Pelleas looked a bit more hopeful now. "I'll go to the library right away!"
"Good. I'll make sure to buy you some time – I'll think of something. And if I have to wipe out the entire enemy army! I don't care if people remember me as – as a monster – I will protect our people!"
"King Pelleas refused us permission to cross through Daein. But we have to get to Begnion!", Sanaki said desperately.
"Who cares about Pelleas' permission? Let's just move out", Ike replied.
"Very well. But I don't want to fight if we can avoid it."
Maian and Soren bent over a map to discuss the route they would take.
"I suggest we stay close to the mountains to the south", Maian said. "There are not many villages there and, if we move swiftly, Daein might not notice us. If we were to be attacked, we should consider splitting our forces up: one part deals with the attackers, and the other continues on its march, taking Sanaki out of harm's way."
"I have no objection to this plan", Soren said.
Ike nodded. "Well, then, let's do that."
"Looks like your plan worked so far, Micaiah. The Greil Mercenaries and the laguz are nowhere in sight, it's just Crimeans, Begnions and Senator Maian's laguz", Sothe observed, peering down into the gorge.
"Very well. Let's commence with part two."
"Are you sure you want to do this? You used to hate plans like this..."
Micaiah looked a little uncertain. "I don't want to do this, but what choice do I have? It's them or us..."
"General, the vanguard of the Apostle's army has almost reached our position!"
"The rocks are in position, o Maiden!"
"Good. Everyone, follow the instructions I gave you!"
Micaiah's men were stationed on a plateau in the gorge the apostle's army intended to use. A decoy force had managed to lure away General Ike and the strongest units, but it bothered Micaiah that the senator – and with her the dragon – had remained by Sanaki's side.
As the apostle's army passed by underneath, Daein soldiers pushed rocks over the edge so they would crush their enemies. Only moments later, they could hear the screams of the soldiers below.
As soon as they had thrown down all their rocks, most of Micaiah's soldiers rushed down into the gorge to attack the remaining enemies.
Micaiah saw a single pegasus head in the direction where Ike and the others were, and seconds later, the Holy Guards took off. They formed a wall around the carriage which was carrying the empress, while Senator Maian and her guards moved out. Her beasts dashed past the other soldiers, eager to fight the hated Daein. Seconds later, the air was filled with the sounds of wings as ravens, hawks and draco knights attacked Micaiah's men.
The dragon had stayed on the ground and was busy smashing the rocks blocking her army's way.
"There's a heron down there!", Micaiah exclaimed.
"Princess Leanne", Sothe replied.
"Rafiel's sister!"
"Yes."
The heron girl was hovering right over the Empress' carriage, chanting.
The deputy-commander of the Royal Knights shouted orders and the horses sprang forward, trampling everything that stood in their way underneath their hooves.
The apostle's army still continued its march and Micaiah had them almost where she wanted them.
"The Holy Guards are directly underneath us now!", Sothe said.
"Right. Do it!"
Micaiah's men started pouring oil onto the pegasi while the archers readied burning arrows.
"They want to set us aflame!", someone shouted. "Apostle, onto my pegasus!"
"Holy Guards, form up!", another voice shouted. "We will protect the empress by becoming her shield!"
"That's Tanith", Sothe muttered.
"No, I won't allow that!", a child's voice protested.
"The empress."
As the pegasi ascended, the archers and mages took aim. An angry cry made them all jump.
A single pegasus came racing in their direction. The rider's face was a mask of anger and hatred.
"Stop her!", Micaiah shouted.
A barrage of arrows and spells smashed into a strong shield and rebounded. A shower of rays sent out by the senator killed most of the archers instantly. The mages managed to shield at first, but soon had to run for it when the senator turned around for her second attack.
"Leave her be, our target is the empress!", Micaiah shouted.
"How dare you attack a child!"
A powerful force slammed into Micaiah's side and knocked her off her feet.
The pegasus had alighted a few feet away, and Senator Maian dismounted.
"I do not wish to kill you, Maiden of Daein, but I am on the verge of losing control! And if that happens, all of you will die."
Sothe placed himself between the two sages, drawing his knives. Behind Micaiah, the surviving mages and archers aimed at the Apostle.
"General Micaiah! Captain Moa has fallen to the claws of the sub-humans! General Ike is headed this way!", a soldier shouted.
"You have lost, Maiden." Senator Maian relaxed her stance and crossed her arms. "There is no need for me to do anything... I will simply watch your strategy fail. I will not enjoy it, however."
"You – you can see the future, too?", Micaiah breathed.
"So, you do possess that power. I should have known. Well, since I know what is going to happen, it is not thrilling at all. For you, alas, it will be very thrilling."
"No... I won't be defeated! Archers! Mages! Bring down that pegasus!"
Something big came swooping in, transformed into a human, grabbed Sothe and flew over the edge.
"Argh! Tibarn! Let go!"
"Sorry, little Sothe, but I can't do that."
"Sothe!" Micaiah rushed forward. "Please, let him go!"
"Then call back your men immediately, or little Sothe gets a quick lesson in falling."
"Wait - "
"Don't take your time, girl!", Tibarn warned. "This is no bluff. It's a very long fall, and afterwards, you could carry him home using several matchboxes. Pull your men back, now!"
"No, I – can't do that!"
"Well, sorry, little Sothe. Your friend just killed you. Say a quick goodbye."
"Tibarn, wait - "
The Hawk King dropped him. Micaiah could hear Sothe's scream, then, he was silent.
Despite the knowledge that she could do nothing to save him, she dashed to the edge.
Another hawk was below, carrying Sothe safely in his arms. Micaiah's knees buckled.
"Sothe... thank goodness."
Her soldiers had stopped their attack in the meantime, horrified by what was happening.
"Let this be a warning, little beorc. Next time, there will be no-one to catch him."
"Lady Micaiah!", Tauroneo called. "Sir Ike has arrived. Our plan has failed."
"I told you that you would fail", Maian observed smugly as Ike and Soren joined them on the plateau.
"Micaiah, Maiden of Dawn, listen to me very well", Ike said. "I have no idea why you're going along with the senate's schemes, and we have no desire to fight you and your men, but as a mercenary, I have a contract to keep. Get into my way again, and I'll kill you. Got that?"
Micaiah didn't reply, the shock had left her speechless.
"Hey, are you listening?"
"I – we have to fight you, we can't just let you pass!"
"Who said that? Your king, or the senate? You know, it is possible to refuse orders."
"No matter what you say, it won't change anything. We will come after you as long as you are in Daein. Should you manage to reach Begnion – no. You won't. I won't let you."
Ike gave her a rather frustrated look and turned to face Tauroneo.
"General Tauroneo, try to talk some sense into that girl, for she is about to lose it!"
"I'm sorry, Ike, but it is just as Lady Micaiah said. We will let you go for now. Just this once."
"You mean to let us go? Didn't you realise you just lost? You guys are all crazy..."
"Ike…"
"Stop it! Enough bloodshed for a day!", Sanaki yelled. The pegasus that was carrying her came drifting over. "I won't have any more fighting, just stop it!"
"General Ike, we should leave", Senator Maian said. "There is nothing we can do here. If we stay, we would only make matters worse."
"What do you mean? Do you know something we don't?"
"I always happen to know too much, but I cannot tell you. Let us just leave this place."
"Come on, Ike. No matter how many times you ask, she won't share anything she doesn't want to", Soren said.
"Fine. But this isn't over yet..."
The two of them descended into the gorge. Maian gave Micaiah one last piercing, calculating look, mounted her steed and took off. The other hawk dropped Sothe onto the plateau in front of Micaiah, then he left, along with his king.
Soren had suggested setting up camp inside an abandoned fort in the vicinity, and they hurried to get there, so their men could rest.
"Soren, what's the situation like?", Ike demanded as soon as they had had the time to get their bearings.
"It's terrible. The oil caused severe damage to the pegasi, and all but grounded them. A lot of our men died during that attack, and many are wounded. All our healers, including the senator, are busy treating them."
"I see", Ike replied grimly. "I wonder what was going on with them. From what I heard about Micaiah, I would have never thought she'd do anything like that."
"She wasn't happy about it, if you ask me. The senator hinted twice already that the senate might be behind this – and I think it's possible. Why else would Daein go to war? They must be busy rebuilding their country – just remember how long that took Crimea, despite having help from Begnion and Gallia."
"But why do they go along with that? Is the senate blackmailing their king or something?"
"Who knows. But it doesn't matter – all that matters is that we will have to fight them again. Our spies report that they have retreated to Nox Castle. I trust this will be our next battlefield."
In the dead of night, when most of the castle's inhabitants were asleep, Almedha stole out of her room, tightly clutching the Sending Stone Kurth had given her. She was currently not in the right mindset to be able to use it given how worried she was for her son. Eventually, she reached a large balcony. Taking a deep breath, she looked up towards the sky. The clouds had parted, and the moon was now illuminating the world with its soft light. Taking another fortifying breath, Almedha projected her thoughts at the stone.
"Please... I beg of you... help my Pelleas... Save my son..."
"What is it?", Kurth asked.
"He is in danger... please... come and help us..."
"I will. You have already been alone for too long... suffered too much... I will help you. Have faith."
"King Pelleas has just arrived. He requests our presence in the chapel", Tauroneo told Micaiah and Sothe.
Pelleas seemed like a changed man. Clearly, something had happened to improve his mood.
"I found it! It was just as you said, Micaiah. I found a way to break the curse!"
"That's great! So, how do we break it?"
"I found a very old-looking book in the library, so I trust it tells the truth. In order to end the curse, the pact-maker must die, and the document be destroyed."
"What – what do you mean?", Micaiah asked, alarmed.
"I can finally atone for what I have done and by doing so, free Daein from the curse." He pulled a dagger from underneath his robes and held it out to Micaiah. "I want you to be the one. I want you to kill me."
Micaiah stared at him in horror. "What? You can't be serious – there has to be another way - "
"There is none. The pact-maker needs to be killed by a third party, or I would have done it myself."
"No, I – King Pelleas, I can't do that!"
"I understand. It is your compassion that I value so much. General Tauroneo. It is your duty to do this."
"Your Majesty..."
"This is an order."
"Very well."
Tauroneo took the dagger. Micaiah watched them, horrified.
"I'm so sorry I dragged you all into this, Sothe, Micaiah, but I'm also glad we met."
As Tauroneo prepared to stab Pelleas, Micaiah realised something.
"No, wait!"
She rushed forward and threw herself in between them.
"Micaiah!", Pelleas exclaimed. "What are you doing?!"
"Listen to me! We can't break the curse like that, we don't have the document!"
The others were silent as the message sunk in.
"Even if we killed King Pelleas, we would still be cursed! He would have died in vain! Lekain is the second pact-maker, right?"
"Yes", Pelleas confirmed.
"Then he'll have the document with him. He's the one we need to kill."
"But how do we do that? Turning against the senate is not an option."
"I don't know... But sacrificing your life wouldn't do us any good, either", Micaiah chided.
"But what should we do, then?", Pelleas asked, dismayed.
"We have to fight again, or it would look suspicious."
"But can't we try to send a message to the apostle?", Sothe asked.
"No, it's too risky", Pelleas replied. "We can't ask for help... We're in this alone..."
Lehran leaned against the cold stone wall. His situation wasn't as bad as it would seem at first – he was still alive, after all. And from what he had overheard, both Sanaki and Maian had managed to escape.
He eyed the lock of the cell door. He could, of course, blast it open with magic, but fighting all the guards stationed outside would be difficult. Besides, some would take it as a confirmation that he was guilty if he ran away. No, it was best to wait.
He heard cries from above. Thanks to his sharp ears, he could understand them.
"It's him! No, stop, you can't - "
"Somebody! Help! He's here!"
"Why you - "
One after another, the voices died away. Lehran moved to the door and leaned against the iron bars.
"Good afternoon, General", he said pleasantly as Zelgius entered the dungeons.
"Master. It is good to see you are unharmed."
"For some reason, they decided not to dispose of me yet. But I almost died of boredom. I am not used to doing nothing."
"If you stood back, I could open the door for you."
Zelgius grabbed the lock and ripped it out.
"Is the apostle safe?"
"Yes. She joined forces with the Laguz Alliance and Crimea."
"I see. And Maian?"
"I saw the senator before the Alliance clashed with Duke Culbert's forces in Crimea. She was with the Alliance and seemed well, from what I could tell."
"So, both of them are safe. I want a detailed report later - "
"That reminds me, I have something for you." Zelgius pulled an envelope from his pocket. "A carrier pigeon caught up with me when I was on my way here. It is addressed to you. I assume it is from the senator, for we had no chance to meet."
"Yes, this is her handwriting. Do I have time to read this now?"
"I should think so. I can easily deal with any reinforcements that might show up."
Lehran took the letter and broke the seal. He detected a spell and deactivated it, then, he unfolded the piece of parchment. Maian had written in the Ancient Tongue. Lehran couldn't help smiling.
This is just like her. Relying on the sealing wax would be foolish, and there are so many mages in this city that it would be possible someone broke the spell. But hardly anyone can read the Old Tongue well enough to decipher this.
Dear Lehran,
If you are reading this, it means that General Zelgius has reached you, and you are safe. I joined forces with the Laguz Alliance some time ago, and I met your three other children. They are all very kind – especially Princess Leanne, who has been following me around ever since. She appears to like me, we are learning from each other as we go along.
I have Sanaki under my wing now and will do everything in my power to see her back to Sienne safely. But Daein is interfering again – what was the senate thinking, using a Blood Contract on King Pelleas?! This has to end, better sooner than later.
I suggest you go and stay with my sister at our summer home, I have already sent her a note. I am certain she will help you in any way possible.
I hope we will meet again soon.
Maian
"She suggests we go to her sister's", Lehran told Zelgius. "And I think we should do that."
"Very well. And I brought this for you as well."
"A Warping Staff. How neat. Are you running short on Warp Powder?"
"Yes. I have almost used it up."
"Oh dear. Then I have to make some, for if you should really run out of it, this would be a problem."
"Indeed."
"Well, let us go. It is time for us to make our move."
Soren had finally managed to achieve the rank of an arch sage, and Ike had given him a decent salary rise. Soren was now considering buying some new books.
"I would wait with that until you have returned to your fort", Maian, who had somehow materialised next to him, said. "I doubt you will have much time for reading, anyway, and the books would just weigh you down. How about you buy some new robes instead? Those look pretty worn."
"Not a bad idea", Soren replied, "but where do I get them from?"
"There is a small town nearby. We could go there, I always wanted to know how commoners live."
"You've never been to a town before?"
"No."
"I see. I'll take you along if you promise not to do anything stupid."
Maian gave him an amused look. "I will try my best."
"Are you sure the two of you want to go alone?", Ike asked.
"There shouldn't be any soldiers stationed there", Soren replied. "And the people themselves won't be a threat to us."
"And I would like to spend a few hours without my guards flinching at every sound, ready to protect my life with theirs..."
"I see. But be careful."
"We will", Soren promised.
Maian seemed to enjoy the short walk through the Daein countryside. Snow was covering the ground and it was cold, but Soren didn't mind.
"Why haven't you been to a town before?"
"I spent the first 29 years of my life in seclusion, carefully hidden from public. When I started working for the senate, I barely knew anything about my home-town."
"I see. And senators don't go visiting villages."
"Precisely."
The villagers eyed them suspiciously. They had, no doubt, heard that the enemy army was nearby.
Maian was very good at ignoring that, she seemed totally at ease. Soren, however, preferred to keep a close watch on them.
"Hey, you! Are you with the apostle's army?", a man shouted at them.
Maian turned to face the speaker. "Yes, we are. I am Senator Maian, Second Duchess of Idras. But believe me, the two of us have not come here to attack this village."
Why is she telling them that?
The man blushed, apparently, the Senator had just read his mind.
Did he really believe that? We seem like children to them, after all...
"But you could be spies!", the man answered.
"In that case we would hardly tell you that we belonged to the army, would we?"
"Well…"
"Come, Soren. Let us have a look around."
Soren followed her. Maian moved with her usual grace and elegance, as if this was just the garden behind her house. And Soren soon realised that the people stopped looking at them. He wondered if Maian was making them calm down.
After some time, they found a store that sold clothes. They went inside to take a look.
"How about that one?", Maian asked, pointing at a long white cloak.
"Not bad, but white - "
"Did you always wear black?"
"Yes."
"How about a change, then? I believe it would make a nice contrast to your hair. Such a peculiar shade of dark green..."
"So you noticed. Most people think it's black."
Maian smiled. "Most people are rather unobservant."
"Indeed."
Soren bought himself a new black robe and the white cloak.
When they returned to the fort, everyone seemed to be buzzing with excitement. Soon, they found out why: Rafiel, Reyson and Nailah had arrived, and a soldier from Begnion brought them interesting, good news.
"A rebellion's broken out! General Zelgius managed to rescue the prime minister. They joined forces with Duchess Liane of Idras. They started asking people things like, 'Who would you rather believe, the senate or the apostle?' and most people chose you, Empress Sanaki! They have gone onto the streets, protesting against the senate's rule, and demanding your return! Some of them have even started fighting, and the duchess supports them!"
"Those are wonderful news!", Sanaki exclaimed.
"So, both Sephiran and my sister are safe", Maian whispered. "I am so glad to hear that…"
"Hopefully, this will keep the senate occupied for a while", Ike said. "Meanwhile, we should deal with Micaiah."
"Micaiah? The Daein general?", Rafiel asked.
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"I do not understand why she would do something like that. Please let me talk to her first, I can reason with her, I know it!"
"If you can stop her from fighting, that's just fine with me. But I doubt it – and after what happened in the mountains, most of my men – the laguz especially – long for revenge. I do not believe we will be able to avoid a fight."
"They are still holed up at Nox Castle", Tanith interjected.
"I see. I will take the laguz and my men. Everyone else still needs to rest."
"I will come with you", Maian said. "There is something I need to investigate – something about her."
"Of course. You are more than welcome to join us."
As everyone had gone back to their rooms to prepare for the oncoming battle, Maian showed up again, bringing a gift.
"What's that?", Soren asked, eyeing the golden thing she was holding.
"This necklace belonged to my father. I want you to have it."
"What?"
"Consider it a gift because you managed to become an arch sage. This is a man's jewellery, I could not possibly wear it."
"But – doesn't it – you know – mean something to you?"
"It does, but I can remember my father without clinging to his possessions. I have no brothers or cousins, so it would just lie in a box and get all dusty. You can keep it, or sell it. Just as you please."
"Sell it! Where could I possibly sell something that precious? At a pawn shop, maybe, but I never go to those... Very well. I will keep it. Thank you for your generosity, senator."
"Not at all. I had a feeling you might need something like this."
She moved away, leaving Soren utterly confused.
"General Micaiah, it's just as you predicted! The apostle's army is attacking!", a sentry shouted.
"So, Ike let them loose", Sothe said quietly. "Looks like it's just laguz for now, but I bet Ike will come to end this himself."
"You're wrong, Sothe", Micaiah replied.
"What do you mean?"
"We won't lose. And if I have to take them down myself! We need to hold on... For King Pelleas!"
Micaiah looked down on the fortifications of Nox Castle. The soldiers were all uneasy, but also determined to fulfil Micaiah's expectations. She felt a pang of pride.
I have to do this... for their sake...
The outer gate was torn down, and beast tribe laguz came dashing into the courtyard, while the birds flew over the walls.
The Daein soldiers shot their ballistae or used the higher ground to launch spears, spells and arrows at the enemy.
Micaiah and Sothe were standing on the landing in front of the main gate leading into the castle, surrounded by Tauroneo and other strong knights.
Micaiah could sense the anger and hatred of the laguz, and realised that they were looking for her.
Soon, her forces had to draw back. No matter how many enemies they defeated, more kept coming. And then the Greil Mercenaries stormed in, followed by Senator Maian and her guards.
"Here they come", Sothe muttered, drawing his dagger.
Micaiah noticed that Soren had bought himself new clothes, and Ike was using a different sword than back during their fight at the Ribahn River. She asked Sothe about it.
"That's the sacred blade Ragnell, counterpart to the Black Knight's Alondite. Speaking of which – where the hell is he at a time like this?!"
With a start, Micaiah noticed that Soren was right in front of her, hovering in mid-air. She could sense the magic he was using.
"Our last battle, in the gorge. Was that your strategy?"
Micaiah gasped, but didn't reply.
"That was impressive. You killed thousands of beorc soldiers with your little ambush. Well done."
"I - "
"The Maiden of Dawn... what are you? One of the Branded, that's for sure. But there is something else about you... Power. Yes, I can feel it in you. You possess great power."
"Yes, and you would know. There's something very different about you, too. Your energy feels so – ancient. You and I seem to have so much in common."
"That doesn't matter in the slightest. The only thing that does matter is that you are a dangerous adversary. You are also in Ike's path, so it falls to me to remove you. It's almost a shame. Farewell, Maiden of Dawn."
"So, you fight for someone, as well. So very much alike... But I will defeat you! I will protect the ones I love!"
"We'll see about that."
"Wait, Soren! Get me up there!"
"Yes, commander."
Seconds later, Ike appeared next to his friend, held aloft by Soren's magic.
"Micaiah, we have to talk! This is insane!"
"What's insane about people fighting for their country?"
"There's got to be something we can do! Let us help, please!"
"Why would you want to help us, after everything we've done – no, after everything I've done?", Micaiah asked, reeling, her voice laced with desperation.
"We know that you don't want this fight. Isn't there any way for us to avoid this?"
Micaiah closed her eyes. "No. No, I'm afraid there isn't."
"Just talk to me! We can find a way!"
"You don't understand. We can't stop. I'm sorry, but I can't explain it more clearly than that."
"Micaiah, I don't want you to die", Ike pleaded, urgency in his voice. "I don't want all of your soldiers to die. You have to let me help you."
"Ike... now I see. Now it makes sense."
"What makes sense?"
"Sothe always talks so highly of you. Now I know the reason. You truly are a good person... It's a shame..."
"Why is that a shame?"
"Because it makes what I have to do even harder. Please prepare yourself. It's time to put an end to this."
"As you wish. Goodbye, Micaiah."
Micaiah summoned all her will and strength and attacked Ike, before he or Soren had time to react. But someone else did.
Senator Maian literally dropped out of the sky and blocked Micaiah's attack.
"My apologies, Maiden, but I cannot let you do that."
"Thanks, Maian", Ike said.
"No need to thank me. Without you, we would have a hard time."
"You and Micaiah seem to be much the same", Soren observed.
"Yes, I believe she is heron-blooded, just like me. We possess the same powers, after all."
"But something is different."
"I know."
Micaiah couldn't believe her ears. They were discussing this right in front of Ike – who didn't seem perturbed about this. After having a short glimpse at his thoughts, Micaiah realised that Soren had told him both about himself, and Maian.
As Micaiah readied herself for another attack, she suddenly realised that the courtyard was filled with enemy soldiers.
"General, we are seriously outnumbered!", a soldier shouted.
"Everyone, pull back into the castle! Save your lives!", Micaiah ordered.
As she backed away, Soren stepped onto the balcony.
"Oh no, you won't get away that easily!"
"Let her go, Soren", Maian said softly, extending an arm to block his path. "We cannot kill her."
"Why not?"
"We need her alive."
"Did you have another vision?"
"Yes, but a very vague one. I just know that if we kill her, we all will be doomed. Let her go."
Sothe pulled Micaiah inside. They managed to shut the gates and bolt them before the alliance arrived. Seconds later, the door began to shake.
"At this rate, they're going to break through", Sothe said grimly.
"Wait a minute", Micaiah said, remembering something. "Didn't Queen Almedha recognise the mark of the Blood Pact right away? Why didn't she tell us earlier? Come on!"
Micaiah dashed through the corridors of Nox Castle, looking for the queen.
"Ike! What's going on? Where did they go?", Ranulf gasped, clearly winded.
"Inside. We let them. According to the senator, we mustn't kill Micaiah."
"That won't be possible. If my men find her, they'll tear her to pieces! And there's nothing I can do to prevent that – they're on the verge of losing control."
Maian didn't look too happy about that.
"Maybe a galdr could calm them?", Ike asked.
"No, I doubt Leanne could use one on all of them. It's not just my people, you see."
Tibarn, Leanne, Janaff and Ulki joined them.
"Is there a problem?", Tibarn asked.
"Well, sort of."
But just as Ike was about to explain, Ulki held up a hand.
"Wait – what is that?It sounds big – bigger than Nala."
"What, that's possible?", Ike asked in disbelief.
"Uh-oh", Janaff said, squinting at the horizon. "This is bad."
"How bad?", Tibarn asked.
"It's a Goldoan Black Dragon!"
Tibarn gasped. "Everyone, down! Pretend you're not there."
Moments later, the gigantic creature arrived. The dragon took a deep breath and exhaled a blast that cut off one of the castle's towers. Shouting and screaming, soldiers belonging to both sides tried to get out of the way of the falling stones.
A pegasus appeared in front of the dragon, bearing Elincia and Ena.
"All soldiers are ordered to lay down their weapons immediately!", Ena shouted. "Do so for your own welfare!"
"What do we do now?", Skrimir asked.
"Well, I know that I'm not ready to stand up to a Goldoan Black Dragon", Tibarn replied. "Did you see that blast?! Let's pull back, fast!"
As Micaiah and Sothe searched the castle, Nailah and Rafiel caught up with them.
"Micaiah!"
"Rafiel! Am I glad to see you!"
Micaiah threw herself into his arms. Rafiel gently stroke her hair.
"Micaiah, what is going on? Why are you fighting the Apostle?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you. Are you here to help us?"
"I want to talk you out of this."
"Then you are wasting your time. More importantly, we need to find Queen Almedha. We can talk later!"
As they continued their search, Pelleas intercepted them and took them to the room his mother was in. Almedha was staring out of the window, at the damage the dragon had caused.
"Queen Almedha, you knew about the Blood Pact right away, didn't you? Why didn't you say anything about how to break it? I had to sacrifice thousands of lives to buy your son the time to find the solution!", Micaiah accused.
"You really have to ask?", Almedha asked in disbelief, whirling around to face them. "I knew that if I told you, you would butcher my son in order to save your doomed country!"
"Well, he wanted us to do that, but it wouldn't work because we don't have the document, right?"
"That is correct."
"How about you tell us what you know?", Sothe demanded.
"Please, mother. We need to know."
Almedha exhaled sharply through her nose. "Very well. You all know the story how the plague killed the entire royal family except my husband, I assume? Well, this story is incorrect. Prince Ashnard was from a line that was never considered likely to inherit the throne, there were too many other princes and princesses closer to the king. My husband tricked his father into signing a Blood Contract with a wandering sage, and then had the sage invoke the curse. Those who had not already died from the plague were killed by the curse. I was there when it ended... my husband killed his own father, and then tore apart the document. That is how he became king, the last of his house."
"Mother, I can't believe you never told me."
"How could you expect me to?! I would rather see all of Daein perish than watch my own son die!"
"Why are you so selfish?", Sothe asked, sounding disgusted.
"It's because of me that my brother died... And my son was taken from me... Do you have any idea how I feel?!"
They all stared at her. That moment, Kurth came rushing in.
"Almedha! Pull yourself together! You have to be strong now, sister!"
"Sister?", the others echoed.
"Kurthnaga... you came", Almedha whispered, extending her hands toward him.
"Of course. I could never abandon you", he replied soothingly, taking her hands in his. "I will help you, just as promised. Just tell me what is going on. We'll end this war."
Pelleas looked thunderstruck. Apparently, he hadn't heard about his uncle before.
"That dragon just now – was that – you?", he finally asked.
"Yes. Didn't my sister tell you she was a Goldoan? Our father is King Deghinsea."
Pelleas gasped.
A/N:
Le gasp.
I was always a bit confused by the fact that Pelleas managed to find out that the pact-maker had to die, but not that the document needed to be destroyed as well. I mean, why would someone only write down that part, but leave out the other, especially when there's two pact-makers you can choose from? You'd obviously want to go after the party who forced/tricked you to signing it instead of sacrificing someone on your side.
I really like Soren's arch sage outfit, though I felt that the necklace/chain thingy he gets with the class change needed a backstory. So I wrote one.
Oh, also, when Zelgius rescued Lehran, I squealed. Payback time for those evil senators! Wohoo!