To be, or not to be, that is not the question. What is the question, is whether or not I can fish this chapter before midterms end... the answer... is probably not.
So, some reviews must be responded to.
Koal - Ah, yes, I know. I was just saying things that probably made no sense to others because everything within my head makes perfect sense, I said it like that.
NightShade 0-1 - For the sea, it was mostly the City of Atlantic, and as for the sky, I just thought of Dragon Quest, the one where you're an angel. Pretty much like that. But, unfortunately, I have never played Bioshock, so I never thought about it like that XD (pleb who can't get good games to play).
Now, I should probably stop wasting all of your time. However... I must now give a speech to waste your time! There is only one problem... I'm too lazy to think it up, so let's just start the chapter.
Chapter 4 - The battle, the truth
It has been three days since those bandits appeared, and I have had nightmares every time I closed my eyes to sleep. From stabbing that bandit in the chest, and seeing him die, traumatized me. Truthfully, I thought I would never be affected by that, but I guess I was just deluded. Well, after three days, I got over it... Kind of.
Let's just say, it's a work in progress.
I know I'll have to see more people die, and I might even kill again, but this is something that just has to be done. If I convince myself that they aren't human, but vegetables, would that help? I don't like vegetables. Especially carrots.
So, over the three days, I have gotten a lot of things done. Well, it was mostly the villagers, and I told them what to do, but whatever. Since there was a blacksmith, I had him make a few weapons. What kind of weapons? Well, I first went with the whole idea of using swords, since they are stronger than axes in the FE world, but then I thought about it.
Even twenty foot spears can kill a lord, so how 'bout a bandit?
Was what I came up with.
Unfortunately, the blacksmith denied my request... but I did get him to make fifteen feet lances. Though, the average lance is four meters, which is about thirteen feet...
There are forty-six adults here, twelve elders, and twenty-eight children.
So, keeping that in mind, I had twenty lances made, and gave them to the children old enough. Fun fact, the youngest child in the village was actually Malina at age 10. The second youngest was 11. From there, they only got older, so it kind of worked out. The lances are for keeping the bandits at bay, and stabbing them. Obviously. There are four hunters out of the forty-six adults, who were trained with the bow. I had them train two more hunters, or archers, for the second part of my plan.
Huh? First part? That would be meeting them on battle with ten of the lances.
What? It won't work? Ha! I actually read a little ol' manga called Kingdom, I know my shit! Then again, they were trained soldiers...
Three days is good enough, right?
Whatever.
The twelve elders will not be participating in the battle, but they helped me come up with strategies using their ancient wisdom. Unfortunately, they weren't much help. Never planning out battles, or reading about them, does that.
So far, the number of combatants are thus: twenty children in their early or latter teens using lances to stab the bandits and keep them at bay. Six hunters, or archers, to shoot at them. But, that leaves me eight children, and forty adults! What ever shall I do with them?
For the eight children, I plan on them "accompanying" the archers and attacking with rocks. They will be used when the bandits goes after the ranged units to keep them distracted enough so that they can't immediately get to them. The rest of the adults, when will be using swords and axes.
We have eleven bronze axes, and one iron axe, which came from the bandit that had unfortunately died, and is being used by the blacksmith with his almighty arm power.
I mean, when you're hitting a hammer against an anvil all day, ya kind of get strong. Like, really strong.
If only we had an over-sized hammer to give him...
Alas, we do not have the resources for that.
The rest of the adults have swords.
So, to summarize who has which weapon and how many: Adults: six archers, twelve axemen, and twenty-eight swordsmen. Children: twenty lancers, and eight rock throwers.
And yes, Malina is part of that group, since they are the most protected.
Now, what battle strategy have I decided on, you probably didn't ask but I will still answer?
First, twenty swordsmen and ten lancers will attack from the front. First the child lancers will run forth and stab forth, and then the adult swordsmen will run past them. The children will fight in groups of five, so two groups and they will focus on assisting the adults who are fighting with swords. You can probably imagine how that will work. That is step one. Step two, is attacking from the sides on top of buildings with my hidden archers as well as rock throwers. We've placed tons of rocks on top of some of the buildings, as well as a few planks, just in case they need to switch buildings. Three hunters and four rock throwers on each side. By the reason, the reason I went with throwing rocks, is because children don't really have the arm strength to use bows. Unless, of course, they were trained, but in three days? They won't really have the time. Stage three is ramming from behind.
Yes, I plan to pincer them!
A frontal assault, plus a side attack, and then a behind-the back attack! Amazing! So, stage three consists of the rest of the lancers, the rest of the swordsmen, and the axemen, and leading them, is the blacksmith with his amazing arm muscles.
In this battle, I have a total of seventy-four combat units, which is higher than any battle in FE, not counting reinforcements up-the-butt with the enemy.
So, with this all planned, where do I, the commander of said battle, the seventy-fifth unit, be?
Obviously, I'd be far, far away, watching over the battle... Is what I would like to say. Unfortunately, as the commander, I must be up close and personal, and part of stage one. So, attacking first kind of sucks, however! Since I must send some signs to begin the next two stages, I will start my attack after all three stages have been complete. Yes, a fourth stage!
In that time, I must spy who the enemy commander is, in this case, the brigand leader, the bandit chieftain, the guy who calls the shots.
I also can't die. I'd rather not like to die. It will be very painful. My goal in this battle, is thus: Defeat the enemy without getting involved, or get through the battle without taking a single scratch!
I feel like I'll be bleeding a lot, but that is just my paranoia!
Another case of my legendary paranoia, is when a girl in my class looks in my general direction. Fifteen times. A class. So... is she into me? Who knows. Maybe she is looking at the board... which just so happens to be right to my left. Or maybe she is looking at someone who is sitting next to me!
Or maybe, she just likes me!
Or she can see ghosts and I'm being haunted.
Like that one time I was punched when I was in bed, but nobody was there...
Maybe someone in FE can see ghosts? That would be neat and will totally not be used in a plot point later in this totally not a story, wink, wink.
"Hm?" The village elder, the one from the bandit incident three days ago, said.
"What?" I responded back.
"Why did you say wink twice?"
"Uh... You're just imagining it."
"...Right."
...Yeah I am not going insane. Definitely not. I do not have a voice in my head that tries to break the fourth wall, but fails, since there is not fourth wall to break. This isn't a story, this is real life and I am scared shitless. Actually, since I had already went to the bathroom (to vomit) to take a good quality shit, I was actually shitless.
Now, let's ignore how vulgar and disgusting that was.
Currently, I was in a meeting with the twelve other old people of the village. Though, it was just basically making sure everything was all good.
That was when one of the hunters barged into the room we were in.
He wore a leather hat, had sleek brown hair, and a closely shaved beard.
"The bandits were spotted approaching the village gate!" He yelled. He was breathing heavily, which meant he must've ran quite a long distance.
"How many?" I asked calmly. Though on the inside, I was panicking. I'd rather the bandits never came, to be completely honest.
"I spotted around twenty to thirty." He continued.
"I see." An old man said, cupping her old chin with her old hand.
"That gives us a numerical advantage. However, they are obviously better trained and more ruthless. But, if we manage to force them into a corner, they might run away." The elder said in his slow voice.
"True, but they might not run, and we might have to make a lot of sacrifices before that point. It takes three days to get to the town, so..." Replied the old woman.
"Okay." I interrupted. "The less they have, the better for us. Just follow the plan. We might have a few losses, but we will win; I guarantee that." I spoke confidently, but I must stress... I. Am. Panicking!
The village elder nodded. "I trust your judgement, child. Your abilities in tactics are our only bet."
"Thank you for the kind words." Huh? Abilities in tactics? I have... roughly none. I mean, I may be good at chess, Fire Emblem, Advanced Tactics, Advanced Wars, checkers, Civilization, Mount and Blade, Final Fantasy, and some others, but that doesn't mean that I'm good at tactics!
...Oh, wait... I am actually surprisingly good at this. So many strategy games, manga, anime, and other sources have prepared me for this! If I lose this battle I will jump off a cliff, and maybe this time, I might die!
Well, enough dark thoughts. My heart has finally stopped beating erratically, so I guess I should get everyone prepared for combat.
"Get everyone ready to battle! To positions!" I yelled, swinging my arm upwards.
"Yes!" The hunter saluted, with a hand to his head, and quickly left to gather everyone. I released a sigh of relief.
"Then, I will be heading out." I grabbed my sheathe and hooked it back to my belt. I had Malina bring me my armor as I worked out the strategy three days ago, and I have only taken it off to sleep and to relax.
With my equipment set, I headed out.
I waited about ten meters away from the village gate, with ten lancers and twenty swordsmen behind me. I stood there, waiting for the enemy to appear. I had the hunters and rock throwers waiting on the roof top, three and four to the left and three and four to the right, just up ahead. The rest of the swordsmen and axemen were hiding past where I planned to fight the bandits, so they could hit them from behind.
After a few minutes, I could just barely see the bandits coming. They were too far away to properly make out. After a while, they were just outside the village. Most of them had axes in their hands, on strapped to their backs, with the rest having swords.
The children behind me started to tremble when they saw the bandits entering the village. I looked back for a moment, and smiled at them. Looking forward, I waited for the bandits to get closer. Then-
"Men!" I yelled out. "In front of you is the enemy who is threatening your livelihood. With them here, the only thing left for you, is to attack! Why have you been training these past couple of days for? Just to sit back and die? No! You trained to fight! Look forward! Put your chest out! Even if you aren't properly trained, we have strategy! We have the numerical advantage! We have the reason to not lose! So, why would we let them win, and us lose? I say nay! I say win! Look forward and see your enemy! They are the ones who will lose, not you! Death is unacceptable, do you hear me? Now... Attack them, and win!"
With the cheers of the men and young men behind me, I gave out my instructions, even as the bandits started running towards us.
"Lancers, forward! Stop the bandits with your lance and give support to the swordsmen! Swordsmen, after the lancers! Once they attack, get in front and protect them! Do not let the enemy through! Attack!"
I slashed my right arm through the air, and with a yell, the lancers charged forward with their lances pointed towards the bandits. The swordsmen were right behind the lancers.
I stood in place. I had to give the signal to start the second and third stage, so I couldn't really join the battle yet. I'd rather it end before I have to join in, as I don't want to die, or get hurt, but... I made them do this, so I have to join in.
As the bandits entered the lancers range, the lancers thrusts their lances forward, out of sync. Some of the bandits managed to easily dodge, but a second lance hit them in the side. I told them to have a partner and to attack the same bandit as your partner. So, if the bandit were to block, or dodge, the partner would finish him. Which is why they were out of sync.
Immediately after that first attack, before the bandits were close enough to attack with their axes or swords, the swordsmen jumped ahead and attacked the bandits. Swords rang against swords and axes, and sparks shot through the air. The lancers took a step back, and when they could, they stabbed their lances forward at a bandit in support of the swordsmen. In some cases, it was to protect them, in others, to distract the bandit, and to attack them.
Bodies dropped fast in the beginning, but it slowed down quickly. From that first part, six bandits hit the ground, and for our side, we lost only one swordsman.
A bandit hit the ground after he was stabbed by two lances, one in the leg, and another in the side, and after getting his throat cut by a sword. The villagers were doing well, especially since I grouped them up. Twenty swordsmen, ten lancers. I grouped them like this: Two lancers together with four swordsmen. So there was a total of five groups of six units. They attacked together, or as together as they can get. As the swordsmen protected the lancers, and distracted the bandits, the lancers attacked the bandits, sometimes hitting them, other times leading to them being hit, and to distract them.
But, even though the enemy had a few casualties, it didn't mean we were safe. We lost a swordsmen and a single lancer too.
Earlier I was told that the bandits had between twenty to thirty in number. If I had to say, I would say that they had twenty-five in number. In the first stage, we pitted thirty units against them. Though they weren't that well trained, they managed to take out a few. Now, I would say that there were twenty-one against seventeen.
I think it is time to start the second stage before we get overrun. I mean, the bandits are trained for combat, so if we take it too slow...
I signaled with my left hand, swiping to my right near my leg.
A few seconds later, I saw arrows start firing from my left.
Someone from the bandit side immediately yelled-
"Watch out for arrows! Right side!"
I tried to locate who said that, but he was lost within the mob.
I signaled with my right hand, swiping to my left.
Arrows were shot from my right. Then-
"Arrows! Left side!"
I saw him! He was most likely the leader.
From what I saw, he seemed to be the strongest. He entered the front several times, and was the cause for a few of the swordsmen deaths, and the single lancer who had- make that two that had died. I clicked my tongue. Then, two bandits broke away from the group, one going to the left and the other right. They must've been sent to take out the archers.
However!
I had the rock throwers watch out for those kinds of groups, so they should alert the archers and start throwing rocks at them from behind. If they make it up, the archers will easily be able to take them out. Though, it will be a bit tricky to get up there, as there are no ladders or boxes that can be used to get up. You have to scale the building. Plus, there are planks up on the roofs, so if it gets dangerous, they can simply move on to another building and continue attacking.
There were now around twelve bandits left, including the two that had left, while I had seventeen fighting them. Seven lancers remained with ten swordsmen. At the sides, I had six archers, three on each side, shooting them, as well as four rock throwers on each side, protecting them.
But... I think I should wrap this up. I cupped my hands around my mouth and yelled, as if yelling through a megaphone-
"Time to finish this! Charge!" My men up front yelled and attacked with a frenzy, but that was to only distract them from what was going to come from behind. The remaining eight swordsmen and twelve axemen ran out in front of the village entrance from one of the houses and started to approach the bandit group from behind. Of course, they moved as quietly as they could, but if there wasn't fighting and everyone was quiet, they would immediately be found out.
But, there was too much sound to pick them out. Before they could reach the bandits, two swordsmen and a lancer fell down, dead. I pursed my lips.
I think it was time to enter the fray myself. I gripped the hilt of my sword with my right hand.
The group from behind reached the bandit group.
Immediately four dropped them with attack from behind. They were quickly surrounded. Seven bandits and their leader, making eight, were left. The leader immediately recognized what was happening, and had his men make a circle. He knew, that they were finished if they don't hold out. And so, he minimized the openings they had as a group, and kept everyone close to each other.
Taking a deep breath, I exhaled through my nose. I drew my sword and started walking forward.
Once I neared the group, the lancers noticed noticed me, and moved out of the way for me. I didn't like that they took their eyes off the enemy, but they were back enough say as to not be attacked.
"As the commander of this battle..." I started, drawing eyes, ally and enemy alike to me. "I will be ending this battle by taking the enemy leader's head." I stared as threatening as I could at who I picked out as the bandit leader. "And so, any last words?" I felt like puking at the thought of killing someone, and at seeing the villagers dying, as well as the bandits.
"Hah!" He responded immediately. "Like I'll be taken down by a kid like you!"
Narrowing my eyes, I pointed my blade at him.
"Then so be it. Men - keep the rest of the bandits busy. This guy is mine." Though I could've just had everyone rush him, I wanted to pay my respects for the men and children who died here. If I didn't fight, wouldn't that make me a coward? Besides, in this world, I had to become strong, or I'd die when shit hits the fan later down the road.
The villagers cheered and renewed their attack - though they didn't attack the leader, who pointed his own sword at me.
"You must be eager to die. If you just sent all of them at me, then a couple would've died, but at least you'll still be alive and kicking." With a sneer on his face, he leaped forward, slashing his iron sword down at me with both hands.
I took a step back and to the left, avoiding the slash. I followed up with a slash from the right, but he brought up the sword faster than I could attack, and he blocked me.
I didn't just plan out this battle or train the villagers the past three days, ya know? I also trained myself!
If he had blocked this same strike from three days ago, I might've let go of my own sword, or lost my balance! But now...
I managed to keep my own feet! Just barely!
But as for my sword...
It was firmly planted in my hand! I lifted the blade and pulled it back. I slashed diagonally at him, but he parried it to the side. He then shoved an elbow into my ribs. I groaned slightly, but I immediately attacked by slashing back at him. I spun my body to the right, and slashed my sword at him. However, he jumped lightly back and the blade just cut through his leather armor. He pulled his sword to shoulder level, and stabbed forward!
I moved out of the way to my left, and cut at his knees. He hopped over the blade and rolled against the ground. He got up quicker than I could turn around and attacked by bashing the hilt of his sword into my head. I stumbled away a few steps, and I could feel the warmness of blood flow from my head. My vision went hazy, and I stumbled in place, even as I righted myself. My vision moved as if I was dizzy, and a loud beating sound was heard within my head. I couldn't hear anything around me, but I still had to fight.
I cursed underneath my breath and lunged!
Smiling, he slashed horizontally at my sword to block my sword. But, he failed for my feint. Before his blade could crash into mine, I spun to my left and pulled back my sword. His eyes went wide, but he couldn't stop his swing. I slashed horizontally with my spin, and the sword cut through his chest slightly. Blood spilled down onto my blade, but I didn't spare the time to think about it - thought I felt a rumbling in my stomach, I ignored that too.
I stopped my spin and thrust my blade at his chest. But, he brought up his sword at the tip of my blade struck the hilt of his sword. Surprised at this, I pulled back. He pressed his own attack and I stumbled back, dodging and blocking slashes and stabs. Then, he attacked downwards at me, and I blocked horizontally, but then he lifted his leg, and kicked me in the stomach.
I nearly threw up with that, but I swallowed my bile before it was too late. And some spit along with it.
I moved my head quickly to the right, as his sword cut through my flesh. If I didn't move, his blade would've stabbed me in the head, instead of just cutting my cheek. I kicked at his leg, but he jumped back. I then slashed from the bottom left to top right, but he parried. He stabbed downwards at me, but with some maneuvering, the blade bounced off my left shoulder guard. I kneed him in the gut, and slashed at his face. He twisted away, and the sword only lightly scratched his cheek. But he didn't stop twisting, and he even added a jump to it. I was confused.
I wasn't after his other leg smashed into the side of my head. I fell over to my left and nearly hit the ground, but I managed to stop myself with a hand to the ground. I got up quickly and turned back to him, but he was gone. I blinked. And then I felt a searing pain as his sword stabbed through my right shoulder.
"Aghh!" I screamed, and broke away from him. Blood spilled down from my wound and on his sword.
He smiled at me and licked some of the blood of the blade. Then, before I knew it, he rushed at me, stabbing at my face. I backed away and moved my head left and right, trying to dodge the stabs. My face was cut multiple times. Then, raising my sword, I swat his sword away from my face. Before he could recover, I stabbed back at him! I cut him twice against the face before he slashed horizontally at my legs, forcing me to jump back. He followed with a quick jump and a knee to my face. I pulled my head back, and, just as I started to cover my face with my left hand, I jumped to my right and rolled against the ground. His sword slashed harmlessly through the air where I was standing. I stood back up slowly. I backed away from him. I stopped when I was around five to seven meters away from him.
"What, you scared?" He asked.
I scoffed. "Never! Just thought I'd try out a new move, or something." He scrunched up his eyebrows in confusion.
"A new move?" He questioned. Not answering, I started running towards him at a slow run. He shrugged his shoulder and started to move towards me, but before he could take a step, I tossed my sword upwards!
This was something I saw in an anime a few weeks before ending up here! This... didn't really work out too well for the one who tried it, as they ended up dead a few minutes later, but I'm sure it won't go that way with me! Unless I miss the grab, or something...
Obviously, my opponent followed the sword with his eyes. He looked up as I sped up and lowered myself closer to the ground.
A second too late, he noticed what was happening, and looked down, but as soon as he did, I punched him hard in the face. Then I kneed him in the gut. He took a step or two back, with his his left arm on his stomach, and his body bending down. As he started to stand up straight, I looked up and held up my arms for the catch!
Please work, please work, please work!
And-
I nearly stumbled on the hilt, but I successfully caught my sword! I immediately, without hesitance, brought the sword down and slashed at his body! I definitely did not let gravity do its thing!
Anyway, the blade sliced easily through his leather armor, from his left shoulder to his right hip and a fountain of blood sprayed outward! However...
He had lightly jumped back, just enough to avoid his death! The slash was still a serious one, and if he doesn't get it treated soon, he might just end up dead at the side of the road somewhere.
But he had evaded my instant-kill combo that I totally did perfectly!
"...Haha...hahaha!" The man laughed! "Something like that? Do you seriously think SOMETHING LIKE THAT will end me?" Before I could respond, he pulled back his sword and bashed the pommel into my forehead. I stumbled backwards. Blood spilled down from my broken flesh. My vision blacked out for a second, but it came back quickly. My vision swam and it was hard to see anything around me. I shook my head and stared forward, even as my legs shook. The man stood his ground and did not come after me. And like that, a certain amount of distance was put between us. "Come at me." He taunted, a serious look on his face. "I will strike you down, right here, right now. I do not care if I die afterward - I will kill you, who led to this situation."
He then yelled a war cry, and ran at me. I did the same, minus the war cry. He brought his sword up for a diagonal cut, and I brought mine up for a stab. I held my sword with a single hand, but just as I was thinking of grabbing the sword with my left hand, he slashed down at me.
The blade slashed through my armor and cut through my flesh, causing blood to spray out of my wound and soak my clothes. Stunned, I paused for a second. But then, I gripped my sword harder with my right, and grabbed it with my left!
I stabbed at the man's chest, and the blade cut through with only a little resistance from his leather armor!
He coughed up blood.
With a sword through his chest, the fight ended.
I mean, It couldn't continue. It was over. For me.
My eyes grew hazy. The pain was unbearable. I tried pushing it all to the back of my head, but with that last cut across my chest... I just couldn't ignore it. The pain from the cuts, the pain from being hit in the head, the aches from my muscles and bones... It was too much. So, with a blurry vision, I fell down. My sword snapped apart along with me, and I hit the ground with a heavy thud, with only the hilt and a couple of inches of the blade, held loosely in my right hand. My eyelids were nearly closed, but I could hardly see anything. Then, they closed and everything turned black.
Once Charles, the "commander" of the villager "army" fell down, the villagers all stared at him, with some having open mouths due to the shock, and some who seemingly stopped breathing. Before he went down, the remaining bandits were subdued. Either they died, or were knocked out, the villagers did not care at this point.
The bandit leader, who, at the end, struck down Charles, but was stabbed too, stood tall. He did not fall. He stumbled a step, but he remained standing. Later, his eyes were described as being red with anger, though they were actually brown. He started to fall, but he stabbed his sword into the ground, stopping his fall. He breathed with a raspy breath. A coat of death hung off him. He was going to die. But he was still alive at this moment.
"This brat..." He breathed. He looked down at his left from where he stood, holding onto his sword. "He is... pretty good at the sword. A... prodigy, maybe. However... if I let him live, my pride as a bandit... no, as a swordsman... will be shattered!"
15 years ago, this man joined the army of Ylisse, and fought for the previous Exalt against Plegia. He used to be a simple peasant at the age of twenty, but from serving in the conscripted army of peasants, he became strong. He wielded a sword in battle, and he killed many a Plegian soldier. However, once the Ylissean Exalt died, the war ended, and the peasants were sent home. However, many peasants came back to the same scene: Their village destroyed by bandits or destroyed from the war.
Either way, this man, Brasord, came home to a destroyed and burned down village, and he cursed the new Exalt, Emmeryn. She had ended the war instead of continuing it. And what did that lead to? He came home to nothing. He only had the clothes on his back and an iron sword.
And so, he left Ylisse and became a mercenary. Fifteen years later, Plegia was trying to incite Ylisse into war with them. Brasord saw this as an opportunity to get back at the new Exalt, and to get money. At age thirty-five, he was leaving his prime, but he still fought. He left Plegia and started to hit villages. When the two countries went to war, he planned on enlisting in the Plegian army and fighting Ylisse. He planned to personally slay the new Exalt, which would gain him fame. He would then rise up to General, and the rest of his life would be secured.
However, that ended with the third village he decided to attack.
He always sent two fellow bandits down to the village and demand all their gold. If they refused, he would then lead the rest to destroy the village, and if they gave him all the gold... well, he'll declare that they were tricking them, and still destroy the village.
However, at the third village, he fought a skilled tactician. Though his skills with the sword were not the best, he concluded that he had hardly picked up the sword. He was smart, so why use a sword? His battle with him, from start to finish, showed this.
How he attacked with a force up front, using lancers to hit the bandits from a set distance, and using the swordsmen to protect them. By using archers later in the battle to attack from the rooftops at the sides. And by then attacking from behind with another force.
It was brilliant. Though his men were more trained, they were simply bandits, who used to belong to the army, or were once peasants. They were not properly trained soldiers, but they were more trained than these peasants, which he only had three days to train.
But they still won.
Brasord and this tactician fought at the end, even as the remaining bandits he had with him fell in battle, their morale nearly zero.
He fought with no style, but he managed to hold in there. Then when he threw his sword upwards, he drew Brasord's attention up, and tricking him at the same time. That was a technique he never saw before, and something he never would've thought up. However, he managed to keep a clear mind, even as he figured out his enemies plan. He looked down, and was punched, and then kneed in the gut. Even then, he knew what would happen if he stayed still. And so, he stumbled back, and then lightly jumped backwards, just as the sword came down on him.
If he did not stumble with the hilt, Brasord might've died.
But, the final strike, was what determined the outcome. Brasord slashed his opponent across the body, and he stabbed him in the chest.
Nothing more, nothing less. There was no "style" to his attack, it was just a simple wild slash at his opponent, hoping to take him down with one final attack. But he persevered and stabbed Brasord with his bronze sword, which snapped at the hilt as he fell down.
Brasord nearly fell with him, but he kept standing. He couldn't fall down. A swordsman like this... if he let this boy live, just what would happen in the future? Brasord had only one goal: To kill the current Exalt.
This goal stemmed from the anger and frustration he felt when he returned back to this village. And so, coming from this revenge, he knew: This boy would definitely become an asset to the Exalt. And so, he decided to end his life by killing such a meddlesome brat. To kill the Exalt... this boy must done. Is the conclusion he came too.
Picking up his sword, he aimed it at the back of the defenseless boy, who was only a little younger than when he first enlisted into the army.
"Die." He said with a raspy voice, and stabbed the iron sword, that had a few cracks in it, down at his back.
However, before the blade came into contact with his armor, something hard hit him in the side of the head.
Because of this, the trajectory of his stab was messed up, and the blade merely cut into the side of his armor, not even cutting flesh.
A rock. A rock was thrown at him, and it struck him in the head. It was well-aimed, Brasord complimented. But he then grew anger. Who dares, to throw a rock, at me!?
The rock hit the left side of his head, and blood was already surging out of the small wound. His vision shook, either from the hit to the head, or from anger. But, he reasoned mere moments later, it was probably from both - the pain and anger. He looked to his left, and then slightly upwards, where a little girl stood at the edge of one of the buildings. A second rock was already in her hands, and she was preparing to throw it.
But, before she could, Brasord yelled in anger, and grabbed a small knife he kept on his belt and threw it with all his strength. The blade flew true, and stabbed into the girl's chest, right below her left shoulder. With a yelp, the girl fell back and out of his view. Then, he turned towards the boy. It was time to kill him. Just as he raised his sword, he heard a yell. Several yells, in fact. They came from all around him, and so, Brasord stopped what he was doing, and looked around.
Everyone around him, who wielded a sword or lance, was angry. Either they got over their shock from seeing the girl probably die, or they were moved to action by the girl. Either way, their energy was renewed, and Brasord knew then: He was going to die. Not a regular death. He was going to be broken. Even when he dies, his body will still be attacked until nothing was left.
He was scared of this, but if he was going to die...
He looked at the boy once more, but before he could do anything, an arrow hit him in the right hand, and the sudden pain and force made him release hold of his sword. It clattered down to the ground.
Oh well. He had another knife. He reached to his belt with his left hand, and grasped the small blade. But before he could pull it free, an arrow hit him in the left shoulder. Then another in his left waist. A third landed in hid right knee, at an angle, and a lance was stabbed through his back from behind.
His thoughts stopped, and his vision went white. He couldn't feel anything, even as a swords ripped through his body, lances stabbed into him, or arrows flying into him. His mind completely stopped a moment later, as an arrow found its home in the side of his head.
And thus, Brasord died and Charles was saved.
It was a few days later that I woke up. Of course, at the time, I didn't know a few days had passed. I looked around the small room in confusion. It wasn't the same room as the one I stayed at with Malina.
After a few minutes of laying in bed, I heard the sound of the door opening, and I looked at who had entered: It was Juliet, Malina's mom. I was surprised to see her, and she was surprised to see me awake. The surprised expression she made disappeared a moment later, and she walked over to the bed I lay on. She hugged me then, and told me everything was alright; the village was saved, thanks to me.
I asked her how long I was out, and she told me that it had been four days since I was last awake. So she had either gotten back yesterday, or early this morning.
"Where is Malina?" I asked her. She smiled, and grabbed my covers. Before I knew what she was doing, she lifted them up to reveal a head of brown hair.
"Ever since then, I was told that she has stayed at your side. Really sweet of her, huh?" I nodded in agreement.
I became her only friend, if you could call me that, so of course she would worry about me, as I was the only one, minus her mother, who didn't hate her.
And so, the two of us started to talk, but after a while, I noticed that she was distracted with something. When I asked her what it was about, she told me.
"About Malina... there is something I have to tell you about her. I originally didn't plan on telling you, but I guess now... I have to. Malina... isn't my daughter."
"W-what?" I asked dumbly. It was kind of obvious, if you thought about it. I mean, they didn't really look much alike!
"We found her four years ago, when she was six. It was me, and my husband back then. Though he died last year in an accident..." She looked away, tears glistening in her eyes. "There was also a note. Telling us her name, Malina, and... what she was.
"A mix between human and Manakete. She was human and Manakete. However, her Manakete blood was dormant, so she doesn't have her 'Manakete' powers, or whatever... Which is also why she doesn't look like a human. But, last year, something happened."
It was again with 'last year'.
Last year, Malina made a cane for her mother. Last year, Juliet's husband died. Last year... what happened?
"It was an accident. We - the three of us - were out in the woods. A bear had shown up, a big grizzly bear. Of course, we ran. Back then, the shack that me and Malina stay at was used as the hunter's lodge. So, as we were near it, and we knew they were preparing to go out hunting, we headed there. However, Malina tripped on a root. The bear caught up with us and attacked her. Jacob, my husband, rushed in and tackled the bear. Though... it didn't really do much. He told us to run. I grabbed Malina, who was bleeding from the head and passed out, and carried her away. That was the last time I saw Jacob." Tears flowed down from her eyes. "I was hurrying. I saw the shack, and I saw the four hunters at the time, exit it. I yelled at them, and they saw me... and the bear. But, I tripped. I sprained my ankle and Malina was tossed from my arms. The hunters fought the bear. They shot their arrows at it, but it still claimed another life. Then, as they were inspecting Malina's wound, the blood suddenly disappeared. It was as if it was flowing back into her wound... and the wound, disappeared. It was like it was never there in the first place. We were all shocked. They then called her a monster... and left. They went back into the shack, grabbed all of the gear they had in it, and left. When the two of us returned to the village, we found that our house was burned down and we were forced to leave... but, the ever so merciful village elder gave us a home. The hunter's lodge. I learned later two of the hunters felt guilty over what had happened, and decided to give us that lodge." She shook her head. "If they felt guilty, why did they tell the others, and burn down our home? Of course, it was rebuilt into a new house later, but that's not the point. We found out that day, that though Malina's Manakete blood was dormant, her abilities to heal herself, like any other Manakete, was still there. This, in turn, turned her into a monster, as you probably saw when you entered the village."
She exhaled her remaining breath, and looked away.
"Of course, since you came here... the village has changed their opinion. Though I'm sure some still see her as a monster, the majority do not harm her anymore. Nor do they yell at her. Or charge her unfairly for anything she wants to buy. Her life here has gotten better... though she is still scared. But..." She sighed. "Look at her ears."
I blinked in surprise, and did as she told. I lifted the covers and with my other hand, I moved her hair away, until I could see her ears. They were sharp. They reminded me of Nowi's, Nah's, and Tiki's ears. Her Manakete powers were awakened.
"I also have a Dragonstone. It was left with her when we found her. Though if you ask me, I wouldn't have been able to tell it apart from a regular stone if it wasn't mentioned in the note..."
I stared up at the ceiling for a few seconds, and then down at the sleeping form of Malina. This answered my questions about her. Well, most of them.
In any case, all I can really do at this point, would be to get better... and then leave. I, of course, wanted to see the world. But I also wanted to help it, which meant I had to join the Shepherds... but did I really want to? If I join them, how can I help those who they never come across? Maybe another time, I will.
But for now...
"Did you hear any rumors about the Shepherds when you were away?"
"The Shepherds?" Juliet asked. "Well... I actually heard the day I left, that they were planning on heading to Regna Ferox in a few days. By now, they might've left already. Why are you asking? Are you thinking about joining?"
"Um, well... I don't know. My next destination... is north. So if I see them... maybe?" I was purposefully vague.
"I see. So you were heading north when you turned up at the bottom of that cliff... right?"
"Y-yeah." I couldn't tell her I had no idea where I was going, or what the hell was happening.
"In any case, before you leave, make sure you properly say goodbye to Malina."
After Juliet left, I stayed lying down in bed, staring up at the ceiling. I was thinking. In the original Fire Emblem Awakening story line, a character named Malina does not exist. However, that doesn't mean that she, this village, and any other character also does not exist, if they are not directly in the game. Such as the leader of the bandits - he had crafted his own story through his life. You just never think about these kinds of things when you play the game, but when you enter the game, they become really obvious.
Will you be the main character? Will you be one of them, a supporting character, or will you just be a background character?
Nobody wants to become a background character, and I can tell you, that neither do I. But the Shepherds are strong, so if you're weak, then you probably won't survive.
That is why I want to forge my own path. While the Shepherds do their own thing, I will become strong. I will fight my own battles, and I will effectively become the main character of my own story. Of course, I will have to meet the Shepherds, which is why I've decided to go north. By meeting them, I will grow and gain a connection to the "main" story line.
But after I go north... where should I go? I'm currently in Ylisse... North is Ferox... Then, how 'bout going to Plegia afterwards? I can grow more there, as well as gain experience. I mean, if you're summoned into a game, then you have to check out the sights, right? Fire Emblem isn't just about fighting. Well, it is...
But, my Fire Emblem, is about what I want to do. I will grow stronger. I will see beautiful sights. I will become the main character of my own story.
Robin? He might be more important than me, as the fate of the world practically lies within his hands, but that is that and this is this. I know the world isn't going to end, so I might as well enjoy myself.
Smiling, I set myself a goal.
To have my own story in the Fire Emblem game, right along side the main story of Robin. Intertwining at moments, and at others, far, far away. I don't want to limit myself. I want to experience it all.
To start it... I have to say goodbye to this child, and to this village.
Though it will be sad, it is something that must be done. However, I, as the main character, will not be deterred, and will keep on forging his own path to the limits of this world, will I accomplish, or fall, it does not matter. But what does, is my own personal enjoyment.
Besides, why would you play a game that you do not enjoy?
A path that has strayed. A light that dims. A knight flawed, a perfect pawn created.
The dark being smirks, and the light being worries.
The one that does not, and that one that will.
The false, mixed with the truth; a new fate, a second Awakening.
The light has cracked, and the darkness spews forth.
And, thus, A New Life has began.
I rushed a bit towards the end, and to the end, cause I wanted to hurry up and get it done. I will not be able to post for some time, but I will still write the next chapter when the moment allows. My deepest apologies.
Also, please excuse me for taking so long to finish this. I meant to be done with it by the time midterms ended, but I ended up taking to almost Christmas to do so.
Please follow, if you so enjoyed and would like to see more, please favorite, if you loved this, and please leave a review, telling me of your thoughts.
Though, of course, you do not have to do so, I just merely remind you to do so, if you wish to.
So, with that, please have a great Christmas!