A/N:
Buckle up, dear readers, it's gonna be a wild ride from here on.
Nasir and Gareth both had received a blessing from Yune. Ike was glad to have two more dragons on their side – that surely would help in the coming fight against Ashera. Ike hadn't completely given up hope that they might be able to reason with her, but it was best to be prepared.
He had no idea how powerful, exactly, the goddess was, but their enemies had become stronger the further they had climbed.
I wonder who our next opponent will be... and where Sephiran is... and that Lehran...
They entered into another vast room. The ceiling was so high up, Ike couldn't even see it.
A blood-curling scream made him nearly jump out of his skin. Ike spun around to see that Maian was bent over, her fingers digging into her hair, pulling at the strands.
Startled, her companions gathered around her.
"Maian! What's wrong?"
"Have you seen something?"
"Tell us!"
Maian straightened and unclenched her hands with visible effort. Her eyes were wild, and her pupils dilated with fear.
"I – I do not know... I do not know!", she rasped, her voice hoarse.
"What do you mean?", Micaiah asked. "You don't know what you've seen? I had that once, it was because of exhaustion..."
"No, it is not that... I know something is going to happen. Something terrible... But not what. Oh, what a useless gift this is…", she wailed, covering her face with her hands. They were shaking.
"An enemy?", Ike asked. "No matter who it is, we'll move on. No-one can stop us. Come on, let's go."
"No... no... please, do not make me go on... I do not want to... I cannot... please..."
Seeing that she was about to collapse, Ike turned to the herons.
"Calm her! I don't care what you do, but you have to make her go on! We can't just leave her behind."
"Couldn't we just leave part of our force with her?", Elincia asked. "I'd feel bad about forcing her to go on, since she so obviously doesn't want to.
"I'm afraid splitting our forces is not an option", Ike replied grimly. "We'll need everyone."
"Oh, no", the queen muttered, casting a sympathetic glance in Maian's direction.
Ike grimaced. He knew this wasn't exactly the best course of action, but he saw little alternatives. Especially since they had no way of knowing what else their enemies had in store for them.
The herons and Micaiah gathered around Maian and started talking to her soothingly in low, murmuring voices. After a while, the herons started chanting.
Suddenly, Micaiah looked up into the looming darkness.
"I have a feeling... that someone is watching us", she whispered.
"Friend or foe?", Sothe asked.
"I can't say for sure."
"Hm. I bet we'll find out soon."
Slowly, cautiously, he moved closer to the edge of the platform he was standing on. Below, the small army had stopped again, and he could see the cause of that.
Four people stood in a circle around a fifth person, apparently trying to comfort her. Four of them with long golden hair, three of those had white wings. And the fifth – her hair was silver.
So, this is Yune's vessel – the Silver-Haired Maiden.
As if she had sensed his glance, the girl looked up, scanning the darkness with her eyes. He quickly retreated into the shadows.
Did she see me? No. Impossible. I can only see them because I am so much higher up, and because I know they are here.
Glancing down again, he could see that they were moving again. But the grey-winged golden-haired woman was still shaking.
Soon, they will reach this place. I never wanted it to come to this... There is no hope of avoiding a confrontation now.
"They're getting stronger and stronger", Yune groused. "Whose memories are they? I know him."
They finally finished climbing another long flight of stairs, and reached a large platform. A huge pair of doors blocked their path on the far end.
"Everyone, Ashera is nearby. Just beyond those doors... that's where we'll find her", Yune said, striding toward the doors.
"We made it", Ike breathed. "Finally..."
"You should know, Ashera may have changed since before her slumber. Order and chaos are meant to naturally balance each other out. If you take one away, balance is lost. I don't expect Ashera to have the merest shred of compassion. Talking to her will likely do no good."
"We don't have much of a choice. If talking won't work, we'll have to use force. Otherwise, this has all been for nothing."
Ike and the others followed Yune toward the door. Remembering Maian's cryptic vision, Ike eyed their surroundings suspiciously. But no-one started a vicious ambush out of the darkness...
"What about you?", he asked Yune. "Are you completely chaotic? Are you out of balance? As far as I can tell, you don't lean too far in either direction."
"Ashera and I see things a little differently... During my long sleep, I was wrapped in sweet, gentle music."
"Heron galdrar?"
"Yes, but more importantly than the song itself, I was never alone. There was always someone there, singing comfort to me. Ashera shouldn't have isolated herself... she became lonely and bitter, and lost touch with her people."
Ike tried opening the door. Nothing. He tried the handle again, then, he leaned against it with his full weight.
"Hold on... This thing won't budge."
"What's wrong with it?"
"Those doors cannot be opened", a calm voice spoke from behind them. They turned around to see Sephiran striding toward them. "They have been sealed with powerful magic."
"Sephiran!", Sanaki exclaimed. "You are all right... I'm so relieved to see you!"
Sephiran bowed. "I am sorry to have been a cause for concern, Apostle. Forgive me."
"Sephiran... there's something I need to tell you" Sanaki said hesitantly, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. "I am not a true apostle. I am sorry to have abused your trust."
"I've known that for some time, Sanaki. Don't forget that I was almost a father to you. It honestly doesn't make any difference to me whether or not you can hear the Goddess."
"S-sephiran... Thank you... for having always been there for me", Sanaki gasped, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Empress... shouldn't you tell him about General Zelgius?", Ike suggested, putting a hand on her shoulder and gently pushing her forward.
"Yes... I suppose I should. Sephiran... Zelgius is dead... I know you put a lot of trust in him, but he was also closely allied to Daein... I'm sure you have heard of Daein's so-called Black Knight? Sephiran, the Black Knight was Zelgius."
"But that's probably no news to you, isn't it?", Ike asked, narrowing his eyes at the prime minister. "After all, it was you he was taking orders from."
"Wha – Ike? What are you saying?!"
"A man like Zelgius could never serve conflicting interests. Never. Everything he did, he did for one master. Isn't that so, Sephiran?"
"I think I understand!", Sanaki exclaimed, turning back to Sephiran, who had watched their argument with mild interest. "You wanted to monitor events within Daein. You sent Zelgius as a spy!"
"Precisely. I felt it important to observe King Ashnard carefully... that was my goal. At the time, it was relatively easy to get an outsider close to the king. Ashnard was famous for employing powerful men with no regards to their background or social status."
"Obviously, he would need no convincing after he saw the blade-work of General Zelgius", Ike added. "The Black Knight tried to take the medallion from my father and killed him... Tell me, Sephiran, whose plan was that?! Ashnard's – or yours?!"
"Calm down, Ike!", Sanaki called. "Sephiran? Would you please explain?"
"Sir Ike, I'm afraid your father's death was an unfortunate result of Zelgius' own personal agenda. I did not order Sir Gawain killed." He took a deep breath. "However, I must admit that I asked him to seize the medallion, and hand it over to King Ashnard. The Goddess was to be freed – and all living creatures destroyed."
Sanaki gaped at him. "Come again?!"
"You're insane!", Ike exclaimed.
"I could not be more sane, Sir Ike. Attend and learn... My aim has always been to wake Ashera so that she might pass judgement on all the people of this world. What I needed was a war that would spread all over the continent. How could I achieve this? My attention turned to the young Daein Prince... I could use the fiery Ashnard for my purposes. He was ambitious, a fierce warrior, and more than anything, he had an earnest desire to change the world. When I allowed him to learn of the goddess sealed within the medallion – the so-called 'dark god' – he became determined to set her free – believing he could harness her power. We could use heron galdrar, or a massive, continent-spanning war to throw the world into chaos."
"Sephiran, what are you saying? Are you saying you wanted this? You can't be serious...", Sanaki whispered.
"Sanaki, my long life has shown me that the people of this world only deserve destruction", Sephira replied in a defeated tone. "The selfishness, the brutality... The disregard for others, the endless quarrelling laguz and beorc. We have been given many chances to correct our behaviour and ourselves, and we have squandered them all! The only hope for a peaceful, ordered world is for Ashera to wipe us all out, and begin anew. To fulfil my ambition of destroying all beings, I had to use you. I had to betray you."
"This is some kind of monstrous joke..."
She looked about ready to faint. Ike grabbed her arm and beckoned Titania to take her.
"So, you have been pulling the strings all along?", he asked Sephiran, taking a slow, measured step toward him.
"Correct", Sephiran replied, decidedly unimpressed by Ike's menacing stance.
"Beyond just Empress Sanaki, you were trusted by a lot of people. Sephiran, I need to understand. Did you really betray all of those people?"
"I did."
"I don't need to hear anything else, then", Ike growled, drawing Ragnell and pointing it at Sephiran. "I'm going to make your death as painful as I know how!"
"This can't be happening!", Sanaki shouted, rousing herself from her stupor. "I won't fight you, Sephiran. I can't!"
"Poor Sanaki... you'll have no choice but to fight. The doors leading to Ashera are sealed by my very own magic. Killing me is your only way – for I will not undo the seal for you."
"Sephiran!"
"So, it was you?", Yune asked. "All those memories penetrating my mind were yours... Since we entered this tower, I've been seeing what you've been thinking, Lehran. Give it up."
Ike whipped his head around to stare at her in utter shock before turning back to face his opponent.
"You?!", Reyson exclaimed in disbelief. "You are Lehran?! But – but Maian said - "
"She never actually claimed to have learned from two masters", Tibarn said darkly.
"How could you!", Reyson exclaimed. "How could you do this – a member of the heron clan! How could you do this to our cousin!"
He placed his hands on Sanaki's shoulders, who had turned deathly pale. Apparently, she had envisioned meeting her ancestor somewhat different.
Not that Ike could blame her.
"I do not understand", Rafiel said quietly. "Why?"
"You are too young to understand", Lehran replied softly. "Once you have lived as long as I have – seen the things I have seen... then, perhaps, you might understand. All I want now... is the end of all that is. Please don't stop me. But why are you here? Go back to your forest. The light of judgement will do you no harm."
"I am most certainly not going to abandon my friends!", Reyson snapped, losing his composure.
"I – um, I fight for friends – my friends! Yes!", Leanne added, balling her hands into fists.
"I stand with my siblings", Rafiel decided. "Since you, a heron, caused this whole mess, it is only right that we take responsibility for it."
"We're even related, which makes it worse", Reyson griped.
"But I am, as well", Sanaki muttered, a sullen look on her face.
"Never mind that. You already took responsibility for the Serenes Massacre. It's our turn now."
Pelleas rushed forward.
"Who am I? Tell me, who am I really?!"
Lehran's glance softened a little. "I am afraid I do not know. The senators centred around Lekain just wanted Izuka to find someone they could use as a king, so he never investigated. And I only knew about the whole affair because I read it from their minds..."
"You knew about the Blood Contract as well?"
"I did. I was the one who initiated the Mad King's War, but there was no need for me to do anything this time. Letting them use the Blood Pact could prove useful later, so I did nothing about it. I knew that the Daein Liberation War was very unlikely going to get any other nations involved, but the murder Lekain and the others committed sparked the war between Begnion and the Laguz Alliance. I received some unexpected help there from Maian, as well... she warned the remaining laguz envoys, and made it possible for them to escape... Maian, of course, had no idea she was playing right into my hands – I had kept my plans carefully hidden from her."
Pelleas gasped. "You – you monster! How could you... I'm at a loss for words!"
"King Naesala, it seems that everything went well with the Blood Pact", Lehran went on, ignoring Pelleas.
"Yes, for which I am thankful. It yoked Kilvas to your country's control... But we no longer suffer the curse for opposing the edicts of your tyrannical, bloated senators. Present company excepted, of course."
"I am quite glad to hear it."
"You shouldn't be. You're not like the other senators, but your crazy agenda has turned my nation to stone! Freedom means nothing to a statue."
"My goal was simply to save Sanaki. With your help, she is safe. The mutual benefit to your country was a happy accident, so do not feel indebted to me."
"So you won't object when I tear out your lungs here and now?", Naesala leered, leaning forward.
"By all means. Be my guest", Lehran replied with a smile.
"You will have to fight him", Yune said quietly. "Even if I don't like it... Micaiah, you take over."
The red faded from her eyes, and they turned yellow again. Micaiah slumped slightly.
"Micaiah!", Sothe gasped, steadying her.
"I'm fine... Yune... she's upset... She – she doesn't want Lehran to die…", Micaiah whispered, wringing her hands.
"You are running out of time", Lehran observed. "At this rate, I wouldn't count on being able to face the Goddess. I would hate to see you denied after coming all this way."
"Listen closely, Sephiran, or Lehran, or whatever you're called", Ike growled. "Lekain couldn't stop us, Zelgius couldn't stop us, and neither could the legendary Dragon King, Deghinsea! And you won't stop us, either. We've come too far already."
"Well, now you know who brought you here and why... I suppose that only leaves our fight to the death to take care of."
"You don't even have to ask!", Sothe shouted, drawing his throwing knives and hurling them at the prime minister.
Lehran neatly sidestepped them, and they fell harmlessly to the ground.
"Not a bad attack, lad, but too slow. I have an advantage, you must know... I can read your intentions from your mind. You could call it unfair, I suppose…" Lehran smiled again. It gave Ike the creeps. "Farewell."
The gem on the top of his staff started to glow, and light flowed into his right hand. Ike didn't know much about magic, but he could see that this spell was going to be very unpleasant.
"Impossible", Reyson hissed, backing away. "How could a heron obtain such powers?!"
Lehran's hand darted forward, his fingers outstretched, pointing at Sothe. "Creiddylad!"
Multiple rays of light shot from his hand, spreading out and then closing in on the target. Sothe stood there, as if paralysed, unable to move.
Something red and silver streaked past Ike. Micaiah had no time to create a shield, and the rays hit her in the chest as she threw herself in front of Sothe to protect him.
She went down with a pained cry.
"Micaiah!"
Sothe caught her and managed to keep his balance. To Ike's greatest surprise, Lehran immediately stopped his attack.
Micaiah breathed through the pain before looking up at Lehran.
Lehran's face contorted as if he was in pain. "I am sorry... if I had known you were still alive, I would have never..."
"What's the matter with you?", Micaiah rasped, trying to fight the pain.
"Never mind me. I am just overly sensitive..."
"Why did you send the Black Knight – General Zelgius – to get me? And why just me?"
"But you already know the answer, do you not? I know you have seen what Yune has seen. Those memories – my memories."
Micaiah gaped at him, then her legs gave out.
"Micaiah!"
"Mist, Elincia, take care of her!", Ike bellowed. "Mages – take him down!"
"Form a line", Soren said calmly, stopping next to Sanaki. "Blend shields."
"An excellent idea, young master Soren", Bastian observed.
"Shut up. We have no time for your silly games now."
The shields flashed into existence, each of them a round bubble made out of light that strongly resembled glass – you could see it was there, but look right through it.
Meanwhile, Sothe carefully lowered Micaiah to the ground while Elincia and Mist bent over her.
Ike could see the movement as the magicians stretched their shields, so they could blend them together. The magicians at the end of the line moved closer toward Lehran, forming the shape of a crescent moon halfway around him.
"It's no use trying to trick him, what with him being able to read our minds. Just throw your strongest spells at him. We all attack at the same time, take down his shield, and smash him", Soren ordered.
The others nodded in agreement.
Ike was suddenly overcome by the feeling that something was wrong. But he couldn't quite put his finger on it...
Soren's Rexcalibur hit, at the same time as Bastian's Tornado, Calill's Rexflame, Ilyana's Rexbolt, Pelleas' Balberith, Tormod's Bolganone and Rhys' Shine. Ike held his breath as the spells smashed into Lehran's shield – and rebounded.
Ike could see the slight change in the combined shield as the magicians adjusted it for this barrage. Rhys, whose magic was weakest, couldn't hold his shield up any longer. He collapsed, and Soren and Calill had to quickly extend their part of the shield to protect him.
Sanaki hadn't attacked, she was just shielding. With a start, Ike suddenly realised that Maian had been standing behind him all the time, without saying a word, or doing anything.
"Dammit, he's strong", Soren panted. "He outmatches even me... just how are we supposed to defeat him?!"
Ike had an idea. He spun round. "Maian! Use that galdr of yours on him!"
The moment he saw the expression on her face, he realised what was wrong.
"Oh no... your 'vision'... this is what you were afraid of, isn't it?", he whispered.
Maian didn't reply. Her face was even paler than usual, and she was staring at Lehran as if her worst nightmare had become reality.
The room became very quiet. Everyone, including the magicians, turned to look at her. The only audible sound was Maian's breathing, which was accelerating rapidly.
"Maian - "
Maian spun on her heel, her long cloak billowing behind her, and made a dash for the door leading to Ashera.
"Maian, wait!" Lehran sounded alarmed. He took a step forward, his right hand outstretched, as if he wanted to pull her back. "What are you planning to do?!"
Maian skidded to a halt in front of the door and placed her hands against it. A circular pattern made of white light appeared on the door.
"No! Have you lost your mind?! You cannot possibly undo the seal!"
Ike threw a quick glance in Lehran's direction, who seemed to be genuinely worried, then, he looked back at Maian. Part of the seal suddenly changed colour, from white to blue. The next moment, it faded back to white, and another part started glowing purple.
"What's going?", Ike yelled at Lehran. "What exactly is your problem? Explain!"
Lehran nodded curtly. "I have, of course, taught her to create and undo seals, but only on a simple level. Seals and spells that are strong enough to keep out non-magicians and the average mage – or slow them down – but nothing like this – this seal would last beyond the combined powers of your sages and laguz, since, naturally, I do not want you to open these doors. I do not think Maian will be able to undo the seal."
"Why not?"
"The adjustments to the magical fabric use up too much strength - "
"Wait, slow down! Explain it so that non-magicians can keep up, if you would!"
The ghost of a smile crossed Lehran's face. "Hm, how to explain? I believe it is similar to trying to open a lock without a key, just that you cannot use picks, or force your way in. You need to create a key for your use – in other words, you need to understand how the seal works before you can start removing it. That is what Maian is currently doing. Do you see the different parts of the seal changing colour?"
Ike nodded. Maian just dropped a green part and made another one glow red. This time, she remained focused on it, and he could see the pattern change.
"Deciphering the magical texture takes a considerable amount of strength, so, by the time she starts to actually unlock the seal, she will be rather exhausted."
"I get what you mean", Soren said, crossing his arms. "So, there are three possible outcomes. First, against your expectations, she manages to unlock the seal. For us, the best outcome by far, but very unlikely to happen. You have taught her, so I trust you will be able to gauge her abilities better than anyone else. Second: she manages to break the seal, but dies in the process. Not ideal, but that, too, would get us where we want. Third: she fails and dies even before the door is open. Worst-case scenario."
"Then we'd better stop her", Ike decided. "There's no reason to endanger her life."
But as soon as he took a step toward her, a shield flashed into existence around her.
"Great!", Ike exclaimed, throwing up his hands in frustration. "Now what! Soren, any ideas?"
Since Lehran had apparently no intention of continuing their "fight to the death", Soren left the other magicians and appeared by Ike's side.
"No. If we attack the shield, we'd risk hurting her. Plus, it would only make her use up her strength faster."
And she already made it clear that she would sacrifice her life in order to save the world...
"Dammit! So, what can we do?!"
"There is nothing we can do, Ike. We have to wait and see..."
"Soren, are you serious?! Are you really fine with her putting her life at risk?"
"No, of course not! She's like an older sister to me – the sister I never had. I don't want her to die, but we can't stop her... and she's the only one who could possibly undo that seal."
Ike stilled as a thought struck him. "We can't stop her, but I know someone who can." He whirled around to face Lehran. "Well, that's how it is: Are you prepared to watch the woman who loves you – and whom you love, no doubt about that – sacrifice her life in order to save the world? The choice is yours. What will it be? Can you really do that? Is your heart truly that cold?"
"Please", Micaiah whispered. "I know how you feel about her – do those feelings really mean nothing? Isn't love a reason to try again – to believe in the good in this world?"
A quick glance in Maian's direction confirmed that she had deactivated her shield again, but Ike knew she could have it back up within seconds.
Lehran appeared to be torn. After a few moments of deliberation, he looked up, his green eyes shining with newfound resolve. With a clattering noise, his staff fell to the ground, and Lehran spread a pair of black wings. The next moment, he soared across the room, to where Maian was.
"So he really is a heron", Tibarn observed. "An ancient, black heron. Fancy that."
Lehran folded his wings and placed his hands over Maian's, supporting her body with his.
"You can stop now. I will unlock the door... there is no need for you to push yourself any further."
Maian didn't respond in any way.
"Stop it already!", Soren shouted at her. "Or do you want do die that badly?!"
"What's going on?", Ike asked, alarmed.
"She's still using her powers on the door, even though Lehran has started to unlock the seal. He's quickening the flow of his magic, to stop her from fully exhausting herself... it's like a mad race, about who is going to break the seal first. And she's gambling with her life."
"She is determined to do this by herself", Rafiel said quietly. "She doesn't want his help."
"Childish, if you ask me", Ike replied.
The colours and parts of the seal changed more rapidly now.
"Looks like Lehran's winning the mad race", Soren breathed.
The whole seal turned into a bright, warm yellow and then shattered into tiny golden sparks. Maian gasped for breath, and collapsed.
Lehran caught her and gently eased her to the ground, holding her body in his arms. His head was bowed, and they could see the pointy tips of his ears.
Ike and Soren both darted forward.
"Well?", Ike snapped at Lehran.
"She fainted. She never knows when to stop... The exhaustion is severe, but she should not be permanently damaged."
He carefully brushed a strand of her golden hair out of her face.
A low growl made the three of them look up. Nala was hovering over them, apparently struggling to keep her temper in check.
"Hand her over, now!", she demanded.
Lehran didn't object. Nala carefully lifted Maian into her arms, then, she continued to glare at him.
"I would love to tear you to pieces. You are lucky that I am not the one who has the right to pass judgement on you. Funny, really, that the senators' lie about you committing treason is actually true. Good luck with that."
Ike turned to Sanaki.
"Well? What are we going to do with him?"
Lehran just stayed where he was, slumped on the floor.
"Well, I - "
"Please, wait!", Yune called. "Don't kill Lehran! He saved my life, I owe him!"
Everyone looked at her in surprise.
"He did?", Ike asked.
"Yes. Ashera wished for my destruction, it was Lehran who came up with the idea of imprisoning me instead... Please. I want him to live."
"I will consider it", Sanaki replied. "I have a few questions, and until I get answers, I will not make a decision. Is that acceptable, Goddess Yune?"
"Yes, it is. Thank you", Yune breathed.
"Well, as long as he doesn't get into my way again, I have no objections", Ike added. "Besides, I owe him as well... he sealed away the memory I had about my mother's death…"
Lehran's head snapped up. "You regained it?"
"Yeah, when Zelgius died..."
"I see."
"Ashera is waiting. It's time for the final confrontation with her. You can come – if you want to."
"You – you are asking me to turn my back on Goddess Ashera?"
"If you really want the total extinction of the laguz and beorc, you can just continue to sit here like a lump. If not, this is your last chance to start rectifying your mistakes. Think hard on that."
Ike turned away and started toward the door. This time, he could open it. He stood aside to let the others start climbing the stairs that led to their final destination.
"Lehran... I'll be waiting for you", Yune said.
With that, they left the room.
A/N:
Canonically, Lehran was the one to instruct Izuka to find someone they could pass off as the Prince of Daein, and to use a Blood Pact on him. This always struck me as kind of odd – Lehran shows obvious concern for Naesala's people, and he doesn't strike me as the kind of person who would do something like that. Besides which, I'm pretty certain Lekain could come up with all of that on his own, seeing as how he's apparently used one on the previous King of Kilvas.
I also can't imagine Lehran willingly working together with someone like Izuka. Ever.
Welp, Maian certainly didn't handle the reveal that Lehran's been behind everything well. Let's see how that'll turn out, shall we?