Here we go with the next chapter! Hope everyone is ready for the grand unveiling of everything about Lyze. Or, what Azura knows. Here we go!
Lyze sat on a rock, looking around the cave they had hid in. He still couldn't wrap his head around what he had been told. Azura his sister, and she was royalty of Valla. Which meant he was as well. He gripped his head at that word. He saw a large stone face. He shook the memory away and let out calming breathes.
"Just breathe, Lyze. In and out." Once he felt calm he turned to see Corrin talking with Azura about something. Felicia and Wesley were by the entrance to the cave talking silently to themselves. He noticed Hinoka was sitting against the far wall, he knees to her chest and he lower face hidden behind her knees. Lyze let out a sigh. He stood, then made his way over to her. He sat next to her and let out a slow breath.
"Having a hard time adjusting as well?" She nodded. Lyze chuckled.
"I think everyone but Azura is. Oh well. I'm sure everything will be better once we tell everyone about this place. That'll stop the fighting." Azura turned to him quickly.
"You mustn't! If you speak of Valla outside of this realm you will be torn away into nothing!" Lyze flinched, lowering his head.
"Never mind then. Guess things are only going to get harder from here." Wesley suddenly ran towards them.
"Speaking of harder, we've got company, from deeper in the cave! Get ready!" Everyone sprang to their feet, preparing themselves for battle. Lyze realized Hinoka didn't have her Pegasus and would be fighting on the ground.
"Will you be ok without your mount?" She nodded.
"I had to learn ground combat before I was allowed to train on Pegasus back. I'll manage. Just have to get back in the flow." Lyze nodded, silently vowing to stay near her and keep her safe. He drew his sword, keeping it close seeing as they were in close quarters. Hinoka had her Naginata angled down, keeping her stance tight as she walked next to Lyze. They made sure to stay as close to the group as they could, still spread out slightly to avoid hitting a friendly.
As the approached a path, Lyze and Hinoka going first, the rocks started to fall, sealing the princess and the Ranger in the dark. They found a small hole, looking through it and calling to their allies.
"Are you two ok?"
"Yes, we're fine. We need to keep moving though. You guys head around and we'll try to meet up. If you see any enemies hit first, strike deep, and cut deeper. Good luck." Before they left a voice called for Lyze. He recognized it as Azura's.
"Stay safe, I don't want to lose you again, Brother. Please." Lyze smiled.
"I promise. Stay safe, Sister." He stood, nodding to Hinoka as they turned to where they had to move.
They walked to a path of the tunnel that was pitch black. Lyze motioned Hinoka back. He slowly walked through, his sword held up in a defensive manner. His eyes darted around carefully, making sure there was nothing that was going to attack him. He could feel Hinoka directly behind him, her Naginata probably held high. Lyze was then blinded as the cavern filled with light.
When he opened them he was surprised to see an almost invisible soldier, similar to the ones on the Hoshidan square, jumping at him with an axe ready to strike. He quickly brought up his sword to block, barely stopping the axe from hitting him. It did manage to slight hit his left shoulder, causing him to hiss in pain. He was trying to fight back when the man grunted, looking down to see a Naginata piercing his chest. It twisted, then went back behind Lyze. He pushed the axe up, sending it out of the man's grip. He then stabbed the man in the chest, pulling out and slicing him upwards.
He gripped where he had been struck, cursing to himself silently. Hinoka walked in front of him, holding her left hand to the wound.
"What are you doing?"
"Healing you using a technique Sakura taught me. It's not as strong as hers, but it's better than nothing." Her hand started to glow, the wound slightly healing. The pain faded, though the wound was still there. Lyze smiled to her.
"Thanks, I'll try to be more careful next time." She nodded, stepping next to him and readying her Naginata again. When they came to the next darkened path Lyze kept his gaze down and his left hand hovering over his eyes. When the cavern filled with light he blocked out the light, moving his hand when it cleared. He spotted two men coming at them, one with another axe and one with a sword. Hinoka moved towards the swordsman, Lyze heading towards the man with the axe.
When the man swung horizontally at his head, he ducked under it, slicing the hands of the man, watching as the flew through the air. He the spun, slicing the lower abdomen of the man, causing him to double over. Lyze swept the legs out from under him, then following with a stab to the man's chest. He pulled his sword out, seeing Hinoka as she fought her opponent. The man tried for a swing only to hit air and have the Naginata stab into his chest. The weapon was pulled out before it was spun over her head, then used to slice the throat of the man.
She looked to Lyze, nodding. The Ranger returned it, coming back next to his partner as they continued to walk further. When they entered the next area they were confused why it hadn't lit up yet. So they continued until it did light up. They weren't blinded, but did notice they were surrounded by several enemies.
Lyze felt Hinoka press against his back. He placed the blade of his sword on his left hand, keeping slightly low as the enemies crept towards them in a taunting manner.
"Plan?"
"No, and I'm guessing you don't have one either?" Lyze chuckled, rolling his shoulders and letting out a sigh.
"I wish I did." They got closer together, waiting for the enemy to make the first move. A man tried to stab Lyze, the Ranger moving it to the side, knowing he couldn't dodge or Hinoka would be hit. He returned with a slash of his own, the man's neck splitting open. He blocked another swing, redirecting the man into some of the others who were closing in.
He felt a pain in his arm, seeing an axe stuck right under his shoulder. He jerked the axe away, slicing the man across his bare chest. He stabbed another encroaching man, feeling his left arm begin to falter. He knew he wouldn't be able to hold much longer, then he felt a sting to his chest. That's when he saw the arrow.
"No..." He started to stumbled when he was helped back up, Hinoka pulling the arrow out. She quickly healed it, trying to hide her injuries from Lyze. When the Ranger saw this he grabbed her, pulling her to the wall and standing in front of her defensively as the onslaught of enemies continued. Lyze held his right arm forward.
"Whatever monster is in me, help me protect her. Please." The smoke returned to his arm, the tendrils appearing and stabbing two of the enemies near him. They sliced through them, attacking more enemies. They started to recover, slicing at his tendrils. He hissed in pain as they were cut into. When they bunched together they were strong, but one by itself was weak. The tendrils seemed to know what he was thinking and bunched together.
He saw there were too many and thought being defensive. They came back to him, spreading out and hardening, taking the shape of a large shield. As the blows hit the shield he only felt light taps, but they started to grow stronger and more painful.
"Go away!" He pushed the shield forward, smoke shooting out and blowing the enemies away. While it wasn't dangerous it certainly bought them some breathing room. He pressed himself back to Hinoka, keeping her as far away from their attacks as possible.
"I won't allow her harm!" He turned his back to them, feeling tendrils spread across his back and harden. He looked into her eyes, smiling as the blows struck him. She had tears in hers, while Lyze's were fading. In a last effort he sent all his tendrils out at the enemy. The large amount of tendrils impaling the enemies, killing most of them.
"I'm sorry... Azura... Guess I'm breaking my... promise..." He vision started to fade, and he slumped against Hinoka, still keeping her safe. The last thing he heard was a loud roar that seemed to shake the cavern.
Lyze sat up quickly, immediately placing his hand where it hurt the most, his shoulders and back. He bit his cheeks, feeling the tang of blood in his mouth.
"Damn... That stings. A lot!" He sucked in a breath, seeing he was in a strange place. It was a castle of sorts, he could tell that, but last he remembered they didn't have access to any castles.
"Am I dead?"
"Not quiet, stupid." He turned to see Wesley smirking at him from a chair across from him. The burns on his face still present, but they had been mostly healed, so only small scars remained.
"Lucky we found or you'd have bled to death, even if Hinoka did her healing stuff." Lyze nodded, cracking his neck.
"So what happened?"
"After we were separated we fought through what felt like an army, then heard you shout that the enemy wouldn't hurt her. We rounded the corner to see you impaling most of them with your tendril-things. You dropped shortly after, right onto Hinoka's chest. She put you on the ground, completely ignoring the enemies. So I transformed, roared and ripped the dastards to shreds. We had Felicia keep you alive, but needed more supplies and a place where you could rest. So Corrin pulled a rabbit out of the hat and warped us to his castle in another dimension. Fun right?"
Lyze chuckled as the Wolfkin's description of current events.
"Is everyone ok?"
"Oh ya. We even got a new ally. A guy names Gunter, big and strong looking, but a little weird and suspicious to me to be honest." Lyze nodded, not really caring too heavily about this man at the moment.
"So Hinoka is ok?" Wesley nodded, his ears twitching.
"Other than a few cuts and bruises she's fine as can be. You definitely kept her alive, by almost killing yourself. Might have to start calling you Meat Shield, huh?" Lyze smiled to his friend.
"Call me whatever you like, as long as she doesn't get hurt." Wesley chuckled loudly, his ears folding back.
"Man you're a book." Lyze didn't know what he meant by that, but didn't want to ask.
"Whatever. When can I get up?"
"When I say you can." They turned to see Felicia entering the doorway, staff in her hands. She waved it, light flooding over Lyze. He felt refreshed and let out a sigh.
"Thank you. How many more wounds do I have?"
"None, but I'm more worried about what a certain red-head princess will do to you when she sees you're ok enough to stand. I don't want to rush you to your feet, only to have you get knocked back into here." Lyze groaned, shaking his head.
"So when can I get up?"
"Tomorrow at the earliest, but that's pushing it. You need a bath though." He nodded, being helped up by Wesley. He was helped down the hall to a room where a tub was already filled, steam rolling off.
"Thanks, Wesley. I think I can handle myself from here. Probably." Wesley shook his head, taking his leave and shutting the door. Lyze was still feeling pain in his body, now knowing what Felicia meant when she said she didn't want him up. He undressed, entering the tub, hissing in pain once more as he entered.
He then noticed something strange. The water was turning red, it looked smoky, or like blood swirling through the water. He didn't panic, just watched it. Then he saw his limbs turning to tendrils.
"Interesting. What's happening?" They spread so they took up the whole tub, some even slithering up the side of the tub and resting on the side. He let out a breath, seeing red smoke come out and swirl up, almost like one's breath early on a cold morning.
He started to feel all his pain melt away into nothingness. He sighed, feeling content. He knew baths felt good, having taken one in Hoshido and feeling at peace. But this had never happened. He then noticed that the tendrils were slowly returning to him, the smoke in the water becoming more transparent. Eventually it was just him in the water, and he felt like he had never been sore before in his life.
"Curious, most curious." He stood, having no issues whatsoever. He redressed, deciding to try a test. He took his dagger, then made a small cut on his hand. He watched the blood run down his hand, then kneeled next to the tub. He placed his hand in, watching as tendrils formed around his hand and stretched out in the water. The smoke returned, but wasn't as dark or in as large of quantity as before.
It cleared faster, so he looked at his hand. The cut was gone, as was the pain and any sign of his injury. He was more curious. He found a bucket of cold water and did the same, placing his hand in. Nothing happened. He returned to the warm water, watching the tendrils and smoke.
"Warm water heals me. Interesting. I'll have to tell Felicia at once. This could help me in the future." He left, finding the maid, letting her know what he had discovered. She was very surprised, and ended having to be shown. She had almost lost her lunch as a result, but believed him afterwards.
Lyze was free to go. He walked around the castle, taking in the surroundings. It was clear blue skies, maybe one or two small white clouds overhead. The castle had walls around it, then a smaller set of wall near the northern part. He saw a throne in the distance, also seeing multiple shops and buildings around. He chuckled at the place, wondering how such a place could exist.
He walked around, enjoying the soft grass underneath, even if he did have boots on. He then saw what looked to be a training yard in the distance. He walked forward, seeing Hinoka ridding her Pegasus and fighting a knight on a large black horse that had horns as armor over its head.
He guessed the man was Gunter. He watched as they exchanged blows before Gunter managed to knock Hinoka off her Pegasus with a side swing. She tucked and rolled, springing to her feet and charging him on foot. She jumped up high, spinning her Naginata around her body before slamming it into Gunter. The knight hardly flinched, grabbing her throat and picking her up.
Lyze was worried, especially when he didn't drop her. He sprinted forward, jumping up and tackling the Knight off his horse. They roll, Gunter landing on top of him.
"We were sparring, boy!"
"Looked to me like you were killing her!" Lyze tucked in his legs, kicking Gunter off him. He rolled backwards to his feet, drawing his sword. Gunter was shocked, then chuckling as he drew a silver lance from a bag on his horse.
"If you wish to be taught a lesson, you had only to ask, boy." Lyze spun the sword, ending with it behind him in his right hand. He rushed the knight, keeping low as a stab from the lance went right past his head. Gunter seemed surprised by the Ranger's speed. Lyze swung upwards at an angle, the sword slicing through the armor and cutting into Gunter's skin.
Lyze felt a hand grab his head and pull him into a head butt. He was knocked back, then felt a strong blow to his gut. He doubled over, then had the metal pole of the lance slammed over his back. He crumpled to the ground, groaning as he rolled around. He felt a boot to his chest, then looked into the almost dead eyes of Gunter.
"You actually managed to hit me. That almost never happens. I'll forget this happened and not kill you. But never interrupt me when I'm doing something again. Glad we're on common ground." The foot was removed and the knight returned to his horse. Lyze slowly got to his knees, shaking his head as his vision spun. He felt someone help him up. He looked over and into the red eyes of Hinoka.
"You alright? You hurt?"
"Just my pride. How about you. It almost looked like he was going to kill you." Hinoka shrugged, smiling at him.
"I've suffered worse. That reminds me." She punched him in the gut, letting him drop to the ground in a groaning heap.
"That's for being an idiot back there and scaring me! Don't you ever do that again! Got it!?" Lyze gave a shaky thumbs up, the spoke softly to himself.
"Today is just not my day." He was once more helped up, both of them sitting on the bench by the training yards, watching as Corrin and Azura began to spar.
"Why did you do it?" Lyze gave a confused glance to Hinoka.
"Do what?"
"Almost kill yourself for me? And don't give me the, 'You're royalty, so I had to' crap. That won't cut it." Lyze started to laugh. Hinoka was slightly unnerved by it.
"What's so funny?" Lyze finished, sucking in a breath.
"Just that you think I would only save someone because they're royalty. I suppose I feel obligated to, seeing as they have lives to return to, people who care about them, memories that should be made on top of those they have. I don't have those, so if I can preserve others than I'm ok." Hinoka turned to him, giving her full attention.
"What about making some, like with your sister, Azura? She would be heart broken if you were to die protecting someone. Don't you care about her?" Lyze sunk his head down in shame.
"It's hard and complicated. I want to feel like I care deeply about her, but I can't. She may be my sister, but I don't see her that way. She's just a person, and it hurts when she looks at me and treats me like a brother and I can't treat her like a sister. I can see the hurt in her eyes, the hurt when I decline doing things with her. You know and care about your siblings so you wouldn't understand. You look at Ryoma and see a brother, someone you can depend on. I look at Azura and see nothing like that. It's hard."
Hinoka nodded, thinking about what he had told her.
"Then treat her like a friend for now, but do things with her so one day you will view her as a sister, someone you can depend on. It won't happen overnight, but it will one day. When I first met mother, Lady Mikoto, I was awful to her. I told he she would never be my mother. I didn't see her as that and never wanted to. But as time went on I began to become closer to her and started to view her as the mother I had always wanted. You must do the same with Azura. Can you do that for me?"
Lyze looked into her eyes, trying to think about if there was a downside to what she was asking of him. He eventually sighed, a smile cracking on his face.
"Very well. I shall try to bond with Azura."
"And not get yourself killed." Lyze chuckled at her, giving a taunting gaze.
"No promises."
"Lozbel! Selene! Answer me!" He crawled on the floor, clutching his family sword close, the handle fitting perfectly to his hands. He slowly stood, stumbling back to the ground. He remembered about Selene.
"She's home, she's safe. Lozbel!" Lozbel. He knew her every detail. Dark blue hair that was short and just to the bottom of her head, black ribbon on the left side of her head. Pale skin, medium height, large black and red cloak from her time in the Shepherds with him and the others. Her Flux tome she had magically altered to be more powerful.
"Lozbel! Where are you!? Please!" He stood once more, using the sword as a crutch. His vision cleared and he was in a field. He couldn't laugh at the irony. Just like his leader, or one of them. He scanned around, noting there were a few trees in the distance. He swallowed, his mouth dry.
"Lozbel!" His voice echoed into the world around him before dying out.
"Dammit! Ok, Soren, one thing at a time. Check yourself." He looked himself over. His armor was fine, though weird. Blue armor with white and red marking that had a Kitsune mask on his right shoulder, dark blue shoulder and knee pads, and a white fox tail on his waist-line.
"Ok, armor's good. Now we find Lozbel." He felt much better and aware, so he stopped using his sword as a crutch, placing it in the sheathe on his back.
"Wonder is Owain, Inigo and Severa ended up here? They went through a different portal though. Dammit, wish I had some more backup. He looked around, his eyes hurting from the sun so he pulled up the dark blue hood.
"Find civilization. Find help, then find the others. What's the worst that could happen? Giant Faceless monsters?" There was a growl behind him that made him turned and draw his sword. A giant faceless moved out of a bush and into the open, growling at him.
"That's a big ass Risen. No wait, it has no face. Damn me and my mouth. My foot sure is tasting pretty good right now. At least it can't get much worse." There were more growls and he was surrounded.
"Foot. Mouth. Got it. Alright." He held his sword over his right shoulder, his left hand by his side casually.
"Come and show me what you've got!" They started to rush him, unaware at what they had done until after he burst into blue flame.
"For the Drakaryn!"
Some throwbacks to those of you who read my other Fire Emblem story, No Fear. I would not recommend it, because it was horribly written. Like, jump off a bridge bad. If you want to then go read it, but don't say I didn't warn you. This new guy, Soren, is basically a Dread Fighter, but with his own flair. His 'buddy', Lozbel is the same as him.
Not a Dread Fighter, but she's from No Fear. They're relationship will be clear later on. Anywho, if you have a questions, comments, or concerns then let me know! Keep calm and may the Aura be with you!