A/N: *Gasp* Could it be?! Another update?!
Meh. I have regular access to a computer again. (You can thank Tom for that.)
I still really really really want some reviews, but I can go without them. For now, I'm just going to continue the story as currently planned. Less action this time, and I'll finally have the time to develop the other characters a bit. Before, they were just... there. Just excuse the long beginning.
I stare towards the ground, head-in-hands and staring at the floor. Niro and Ayla are busy chatting up a storm. Apparently, Ayla was a traveling scholar that had wound up at the fort... somehow, and got possessed. As for how the hell that creepy tome worked, apparently magic grows stronger over time, and that strange coffin allowed the magic to be used automatically. Confusing, yes. But an explanation is an explanation.
I continue to stare at my feet, my thoughts soon causing me to lose awareness to my surroundings. The quiet, trapped-in-thought side of me hasn't shown since this whole thing started, maybe a side effect of soul-merging. I guess that would explain the random personality changes and the random memories coming out of nowhere. All of this aside, I can't help but wonder what is going on back on Earth. Do my parents miss me? Do they even know that I'm gone? Is Earth even there..? Or... Or..
"Ravel? Something wrong?" Eh? Niro? I snap out of my trance an look up at him, his eyes staring at me in a sort of worried curiosity. "You look depressed."
Really? He's asking me? EVERYONE asks me that. It's not like I smile while I think... Most of the time. I just think. I'm not depressed, upset, anything.
"I'm fine. Just thinking, that's all." I frown and look back at the floor.
He just shrugs and paces away. Just a few paces from the door, he quickly turns toward me. "If you're bored, Ayla said that the fort has a library, so you can check that out if you want." With that, he walks out the door, either to check on the others or just talk to Ayla more. Either way, I guess I should check it out. I mean, I could learn more about the general, maybe check out more Ylissean/Plegian lore, or just... I dunno.
I get up and pace out into the hall, I need to be sure to not step on the bodies of dead bandits. Yeah, none of them actually were civillians, they were all bandits and common thugs, save for a couple. Who those were, I have not a clue.
I quickly pace down the hall, reading the labels engraved onto each wall. Funny, it's not in English, yet I can still read it.
Benefits of soul-merging. 'Kay. I continue down the hall, finally seeing the correct label. Library... Er... I guess that's right. Apparently Ravel didn't know this language too well.
I open the door and peek into the room. Not too big, but most certainly has something. Let the looking commence.
I look through the shelves, not really any luck in finding any helpful storie- Wait!
I stop in my tracks, turning and pulling a dusty book out of the shelf.
Let's see... Ravel Jerome Iote: A Man of Honor? The question mark is part of the title, so it's clear. So... My last name is Iote? No. I'd rather not be compared to him, perhaps I'll change it. Later. Not now.
I take the book to a nearby table and sit down beside it. I flip open the first page and read the first page.
Ravel Iote was born on the year 889 to Maria Themis and Renald Iote. Shortly after, he was orphaned by a bandit raid on his town and left in the hands of a Grimleal priest... Whoa. Grimleal? I don't even-
By the year 922, Ravel Iote was a trusted Grimleal follower, even having the trust of the current Arch-Priest Armadire III. Around the same time, the country of Plegia was beginning to convert to the religion of Grimleal, most of by force. It was then that Plegia had been brought into war with the larger country of Regna Ferox, a large portion of the people being drafted into the war. Ravel already realized the threat that Ferox had given, and decided that the only way to ensure his country's survival was to take part in the war, as he had been praised by Grimleal and Plegian alike by his tactical gifts...
Man, this is interesting. So in other words, I'm the descendant to a powerful Grimleal priest? That is totally-
"Heeeey! What'sup buddy?" GAHWHOWASTHATJASDISDHUSDFHNKSFJS!?
I jump a few feet into the air as I spot a rather large man towering above me. I shuffle around, trying to grab my sword that isn't there.
Noticing my actions, the man raises his hands in an attempt to admit his peace. "Eh, sorry! I thought you knew about me!" Wait... That guy. Again, the guy that stole Draiotoll. Huh.
The man shakes his head before holding out an opened palm. "I'm Wilson. Ayla told me about you, Ravel." Oh, so I assume that he's one of the few people that wasn't/isn't a bandit? Meh. Okay. "Oh, hey! What're ya reading?" he snatches the book from my reach examining the cover and- WAIT I FORGOT THE PAGE ASDFGKLDHFSDKLJF!
"Can I please have that ba-!"
"Maaaaan... I wish I could read." Wilson stares at the title for a minute, before dropping it back in front of me. "What's it 'bout?"
"An ancestor." I simply open up the book, flipping through a few pages in an attempt to catch back up.
"Ohhhhh... Ravel Iote. That guy. That dude had some issues. Did you hear about how he slaughtered an entire village just because they didn't worship Grima?" Uh- SPOILER ALERT?
I introduce my face to my palm. Those two are going to make such great friends. "No, but I was about to read that, thank you very much."
Wilson eyes brighten as he realizes that he's been bothering me. He seems to act a bit like Gorge, only not as stupid and a bit more understanding... I guess.
After he leaves the room, I look back at the book and desperately try to find the page. Let's see... was wed to... dubbed the... Eventually murdered the..
Bingo! Found it!
Later that year, Ravel Iote had met Julia Connor, a Grimleal priestess, and the two later wed. As a celebration, Ravel had forged Draiotoll: a unique blade said to be imbued with some of Grima's power. By the year 924, the couple had conceived twins: Ravel Iote II, and a daughter named Serena. By then, the war with Ferox was at full heat, with the latter soon taking approximately a third of Plegia's land. Despite the Feroxi army's lessened overall protection, the Plegian army was unable to withstand the intense frost of Regna Ferox, causing a much larger death rate. However, the drafts still continued, causing rebellion in most of Plegia's territories...
...With the war nearly over by 942, there were only a few minor skirmishes between the two forces. It wasn't until the Battle of Myra that the Plegia and Ferox had called a truce. At last, the war was over; but with a price. Ravel Iote II was killed in battle, leaving Serena as Ravel's only heir. Not only that, but the rebellion in Plegia wasn't over. The civilians were still angered by the events of the War of the Red Lions. Ravel saw this as a chance for fame, attempting to overthrow the Plegian monarchy. This caused a near civil war; The Grimleal against Plegia...
Ok..ay... So I guess Draiotoll is like the anti-Falchion? ... I don't even know how to react to that.
...Ravel had become a ruthless general. Whole villages were razed simply due to their disagreement with the Grimleal ways. He had even struck against his own wife, causing her to leave her husband in fear and anger. Serena claimed "My father changed when Mother left. He was no longer the man of honor that I awed and had inspired to be. He was simply a former shell of himself; a pawn of Grima. This caused me to question my beliefs. 'Was it truly worth it to follow in my father's footsteps? Should I tell my children that their grandfather had grown mad and abusive: even assaulting their grandmother?' No. I vowed in secrecy to not become the monster that my father now was. I wanted my children to grow up without the burdens of being compared to their grandfather."...
In a nutshell of what happened after: The war ends with the agreement of Grimleal being the dominant religion of Plegia with the price of Ravel and his descendants being banished from Plegia. Let's just say they moved to Ylisse, Ravel got sick, Serena had a kid, and then Ravel gave Draiotoll to Serena and died, sending Serena into an angst-fest. Yeah, a bit tragic, but it's still kind of nice to know my heritage.
It's been a couple of hours, so I may as well check on the others. That, and I haven't eaten in FOR. EV. ER. What's for dinner, Jerry?
Jerry? Even then, I don't know what's for dinner. I'm a celestial being, not a waiter. So you don't know?
Oh, I know it, I'm just not going to tell you. Hah. Funny. Maybe I can go jump off the fort and make this fun for you.
We both know that you aren't serious about that. PS. You just earned yourself an ignore. Gods, what did I do to you? Whatever.
I pace down that halls, hoping to find someone and- Gorge? Eh, it's someone, so whatever.
"Hey Gorge, what's up?" he turns toward me, finally noticing my presence.
"Oh, hi Ravel. I was just waiting for everyone to finish cooking. They won't let me in the kitchen for some reason... I wonder why." Yeah, I think I know why. #YourNameIsGorgeForAReason
I wave goodbye and walk into what I presume is the kitchen.
"Helloooooo-!" I am answered with a pile of flour getting blasted at my face. Luckily, my eyes weren't open. Eugh, can't say the same about my mouth.
"Hey Ray." I hear a female voice. Calina. We haven't talked too much, have we? Meh. I think that's Geoff in here. To hell if I find out how he learned how to cook. "By the way, that was for a few days ago." Wait, the vulnerary? Ugh, of course.
"Sooooo... What'cha making?" Once again, not really jumping up at the thought of shipping. Sure, Calina's attractive... Actually, everyone in Ylisse seems to be attractive... but I just don't know her well enough. That, and I am completely oblivious to romance. Don't get me wrong, there are lots of people that I like- er.. liked, but if any of them flirted with me, I wouldn't know- What the hell am I thinking? Now's not the time to discuss my terrible love life.
"I honestly have no idea. Calina's the closest to actually knowing how to cook, since were sorta slaughtered all of the people that could have known." Geoff says.
"Closest? You think I don't know?" she turns toward him and raises an eyebrow and- Ohhhhhh Geoff has made a mistake. I shake my head in panic, the two not even noticing me.
"Yeah. I'm saying that. Why? Do you have a problem with tha-" HOLY CRAP A FORK!
...
Calina...
Just jammed a fork...
Into... Geoff... I don't know if I should be amused, frightened, or angry...
"Tell that to me again." she reveals a sadistic smirk, sending Geoff into a pained panic. "Oh, I didn't hit any veins. There's just gonna be bleeding. Lots of it."
There goes the blood... It isn't much, Thankfully.
"Should I get Ayla?" I raise a hand, showing signs of empty nervousness.
"N-no... I... I'm... F-Fine..." Your face says otherwise, Geoff. He walks toward the door, clutching his hand in a sort of forced calm. Before leaving, he turns toward me. "By the way... C-can you... Cover for me... Ravel..?" before I can answer, he rushes out of the room, probably so that I wouldn't be able to say no, not that I would.
I simply shrug it off and make way toward a nearby counter. "What are we making?" I ask Calina.
She looks at me out of the corner of her eye, sill turned toward the spot that Geoff had stood. "I guess soup. That's all I can really imagine how to make."
Meh. Soup it is. "How's Jafray?"
She approaches a counter and begins to cut some sort of vegetable. "He's fine, just tired. He lost a lot of blood."
I also grab some vegetables and cut them. Honestly, I have not a clue what to do from here. This may be a long night... or day.
"Dinner is seeeeeeeeeeerved...!" I yell as I push open a door and drag a pitcher of soup into the mess hall. By the looks of it, everyone else is hungry as well. I approach the table and place the pitcher onto the table. I grab a wooden spoon and start stirring it, with Calina coming and grabbing some bowls.
First in line: Gorge.
"Finaaalllly! I was starving!" Calina grabs a bowl for him, but instead he grabs the whole pitcher and tries to drink it out of that. My reaction? Whack him with a wooden spoon. Hard. Luckily, that knocked some sense into him, so he just takes a bowl and leaves.
One by one, we serve everyone a bowl until all whom is left is Geoff. He got his hand bandaged, who knows who did that for him.
"Fuck... you... Calina." he glares at her, earning a friendly chuckle from me.
I give him a bowl, which he carries with one hand toward the table.
I just carry a blank expression as Calina and I each grab bowls.
"Hey Calina, why the hell did you jam a fork into Geoff?" I think that was Niro.
"He was questioning my awesomeness." she gives a thumbs up before digging into her bowl.
"I'm still hungryyyyyy...!" Gorge? You finished already? Come to think of it, I don't see Jafray. I guess Cal wasn't kidding when she said that he was-
"What? You guys are eating without me?" ... Timing? Why the hell is this guy so good with timing?
"You should have come sooner. Your sister jammed a damn fork into my hand." Geoff grumbles. I laugh more.
Jafray just stares at his sister, before looking back at him. "What if you jammed it into yourself, and are just trying to blame her."
Geoff just gives a 'what the hell' look. "Why would I do that? Not even Gorge would be stupid enough to do that."
"Yeah I woul- Oh wait, nevermind." Oh the humor. It's so wonderful.
"Enough of the Geoff-Jaf action, guys. Let's just eat." I've been waiting to make that joke. With that, everyone goes silent and just eats. Admittedly, the soup does taste good. Albeit a little cold, but still good.
"By the way, Ravel did a good job of rescuing you guys." Niro? He did more work than I did. "If it weren't for him, we'd all be possessed cultists." ...Valid point, but where is this going.
"Really? Pretty sure you did more work than me. All I really did was realize the coffin's use and then got possessed."
He nods. "Exactly. You clearly have some understanding of things. If we're going to be a mercenary group, maybe you could be out tactician." Come to think of it, didn't the first Ravel have tactical gifts? I dunno if that has to do with any of my experience with tactics, or original Ravel's. Even then, I guess I'm the best here. I did play chess a lot a few years ago.
"Good idea, Niro!" Geoff smiles. "Actually, Ravel was once in this genius group when he was a kid." ... Who am I to argue? Actually, that is true. I was in an above average group, by no means genius. It was some sort of school thing.
"Fine. I accept. But if I screw up, don't blame it on me." I turn toward everyone else. Everyone's nodding in agreement... What? This feels almost cheesy.
How did I go from stuffed inside of a leather bag, to being a tactician? Life is crazy, maybe too crazy.
A/N: Greeeeaaaaatttt... It's over. Don't worry though, no more once-a-month updates, and I'm going to have another update by either today, tomorrow, or the day after. Point is: expect more updates. Yeah, I did try and characterize some more of the characters, and let's just say Jafray tends to be overprotective and Calina is mildly sadistic. Gorge is a flat-out idiot, and Niro is... He actually acts kind of like Stahl without the constant love of food.
By the way, don't expect another POV swap to Tom for a while. I just felt that I had to introduce him sometime.
Plus, I realized that this may be the first chapter that I didn't fall unconscious. I don't know why I thought that was such a good idea. I mean, in reality, I probably would faint due to all of the pain, but I doubt I would do it that much.
Forget it, just please... review. I need something to work off of.
Oh- almost forgot. In case you are wondering the pronunciation of Ravel, I think of it as Ray-vell. Unimportant, sure, but it sort of explains why some of the characters refer to me as Ray... I guess.