Here is chapter seven! Whoo! I played Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn for about two hours this morning! I started at 7:57 this morning. =D
I swear, I didn't just have a coke.
...Or did I?
Chef Colette: I'm glad you liked it! Also, the medallion...hehe nevermind. You'll have to read to find out. (gives cookie) Thanks, as always, for your reviews!
I apologize if someone else reviewed chapter 6 and I didn't get to answer – my email will not open, so I couldn't read anyone else's and fanfiction isn't being cooperative, either... :( I sorry!
Disclaimer: Well, I did own Fire Emblem, but it was only a dream. (remembers a quote from another game) Hmm...courage is the magic that turns dreams into reality. So maybe...just maybe...ONE DAY...
XxXxXxX
Chapter 7
Mihara grumbled with displeasure as her face slammed into the ground for the umpteenth time. As Tibarn had promised, he told Vlas to help her with learning how to fight, Janaff helping in spare time. She'd only learned basic things, since it was only day six of her training. They'd arrived back in Altiaire eight days ago, having left Keenan and Xavier and their people with Skrimir, delivered Lorazieh safely to the Serenes Forest, and left Laurel with the royal family.
There had been no more reports of rebels attacking or making moves. However, as Tanith had told Tibarn, Sanaki was unsettled by how they were in small, but many, groups. When they had also arrived in Gallia, they had passed by Yune, who was flying fast to go somewhere else. They had met up with Zihark, who had asked the herons to take the bronze medallion to the Serenes Forest with them when they returned. The herons inquired as to why, but Zihark shrugged, saying Yune hadn't given him any information.
Mihara pushed herself up and took to the air again, listening to the pointers that Vlas was giving her.
XxXxXxX
Aislyn looked around the forest of Gallia. She was wandering around the country while Ranulf and Skrimir were speaking with Keenan. She had passed by a female cat who looked much like Lethe, surrounded by a group of younger laguz. She had been telling a story, it seemed like. Aislyn'd overheard her say, "And when I went to the frontline to check with Lethe, the enemies were closing in on us, and she had ordered me back to position...!"
Aislyn kept walking, not wanting to interfere with whatever the cat was saying, exploring a little more. After a little ways of walking, she shifted to her much larger horse form. She trotted along in the forest, looking at the towering trees. She wanted to keep herself busy and not think about home or that kind redheaded healer...Rhys.
Regretfully, she did not have much time to say goodbye nor thank him for befriending her. He had been awfully kind and even spoke with her again for a while before she left with her people. She saw that he stared after the laguz as they left, but to Aislyn, it felt like his eyes were right on her the whole time.
She shook her head, snorting. Don't think of that, she ordered herself. There's no way you'll see him again, anyway...
XxXxXxX
"Eight thousand gold."
"Volke, I am a goddess! Can't you at least lower the price?!"
"I have. Asking what you ask would usually be at least double, considering what you're asking me to do," the assassin smugly informed.
Yune muttered fiercely. "I'll be back very soon with your wretched gold, greedy man."
Volke seemed amused. "You're a goddess. Can you not simply make gold?"
Yune frowned at him. "I suppose I could if I wanted to..."
The assassin raised an eyebrow, waiting.
"Gods, I had to be assigned to Tellius...! Why couldn't they have just assigned me elsewhere – a place with no money...?" Yune grumbled, holding her hands together. There was a flash of light in the dark place where Yune had found Volke. When Yune held out her hands, there was a large bag. She offered it to Volke.
He took it and examined the gold inside. It was genuine. He sealed the bag up. "Very well. I will investigate what you wish, Goddess Yune."
"Thank you," Yune growled out.
"Where will I find you?"
Yune thought a moment. "I must discuss something with Tibarn. If you do not find me at Altiaire, I will be in Nevassa."
"Very well." Volke, without another word, slunk off into the shadows.
Yune sighed softly. Hopefully, this is the right idea. There's no way it would happen, but for the sake of my children on this world, I must make sure.
XxXxXxX
Kieran gave a battle cry as he charged at Oscar on horseback. Oscar, with his duty done with his old mercenary companions, returned to Crimea on the same evening that the laguz had left. Oscar raised his wooden lance against Kieran's wooden axe and blocked the gold knight's attack. The other Royal Knights watched as the two sparred.
As usual, everyone was spending the day training. With the rumors and confirmed attack against the bird tribes, the Royal Knights were making sure to be prepared in case of anything. Elincia even joined them for a while, which caused Makalov to snap his fingers in disappointment and join the others in training. Inevitably, Geoffrey and Renning sparred against each other, taking this opportunity to finish their last battle since Bastian was still taking care of something for Elincia. However, they all knew he was due to be back soon. What he was doing, Elincia wouldn't tell, nor would Lucia or Geoffrey.
As Elincia trained with Marcia in the air, she said, smiling, "Even though the swans were only here for a day or so, it seems quieter without them."
"Yeah, I know what you mean. This peace has had me bored for just a little while. I'm sure you're still keeping busy with all those stuffy nobles, but still..."
"Yes. Our relationships have improved due to how much we've accomplished together. However, I feel much more like myself when I'm around all of you."
Marcia smiled. "That's good to hear. Whoa-!" The former Holy Guard narrowly dodged a blow from the Crimean Queen. "You're getting a lot better, Your Majesty."
"Thank you, Marcia. Shall we take a break?"
"If you want."
"Blast! Curses, Bastian!!" Geoffrey roared from below.
Marcia and Elincia felt a blast of wind from below and looked down before falling into fits of laughter. Geoffrey and Renning weren't five feet away from each other, Bastian having blasted them with wind. He smiled innocently. "Now, now, Duke Renning, Sir Geoffrey! Dry your tears, for I have returned! And what do I find you doing? Slicing away at each other, hoping to settle your long-to-be-settled duel!"
Geoffrey and Renning shared a glance. Then, both knights charged at Bastian, their wooden weapons looking rather lethal. Bastian shot at them again, only with stronger wind this time. It was enough to spook their horses, which caused them to both rear, the knights holding on tightly. Bastian took this time to slip past them. "Queen Elincia! You look more gorgeous than when I left you, my lady!"
Elincia grinned with relief. "Bastian, it is good to see you have returned without injury. How did it go?"
As the queen descended, Bastian said, "It went marvelous! No task from my lady is challenging enough! I would go to the ends of the earth if you so wished it!"
Lucia sighed. "It's just not the same without Bastian here."
XxXxXxX
Mihara sighed long and happily as she slipped into the warm bath. She was sore from her long lessons that day. She knew that, eventually, the soreness would go away and she'd be used to it. However, the biggest reason she was tired was because of the almost-constant shifting between her half-beorc form and her complete hawk form. She soaked for awhile, relieving her sore muscles. When she got out and changed into her clothes, the hawk laguz girl looked into her mirror. She nearly jumped. Her hair was still the same, but her eyes were golden yellow, like all the other laguz's eyes were – except for the dragons. She stared at her reflection. She wondered when her eyes had changed.
She stood there for a moment before there was a soft knock on her door. Ginia whispered, "Lady Mihara? May I come in."
"Y-yes," Mihara answered, stepping away from the mirror.
Ginia walked in, bearing Mihara's old clothes from Earth, as well as a black object on top. "Forgive me, Lady Mihara, but while I washed your old clothes, I found this thing in your pocket. What is it?"
Mihara's eyes widened. It couldn't be!
But it was. Mihara rushed over to see what Ginia was talking about. It was Mihara's old MP3 player! She had forgotten it had been in her pocket. However, to avoid a long story, she forced herself to frown. "I...don't know."
She took her clothes and pretended to stare at the object with awe and confusion. Ginia stuttered, "Oh. I-I thought, perhaps, you might've known what it was...forgive me. I'll leave now."
"Thank you, Ginia. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Lady Mihara."
When Ginia closed the door, Mihara dropped her clothes and picked up her MP3. She stared at it. "It would probably be too much to wish that it would work," she whispered to herself. She hit her power button and waited. It took longer than usual, but her MP3 turned on. Mihara stared at the object sadly. She also saw her headphones sitting on the floor beside her clothes. She picked them up, hook them in, and simply held one of the earbuds up to her ear.
-eep us all busy are confusing me.
That's when you came to me and said:
"Wish I could prove I love you, but does that mean I have to walk on water? When we are older, you'll understand it's enough when I say so."
And maybe, some things are that simple.
Mihara remembered this song. It was by Utada Hikaru, a japanese singer. And the reason she had been listening to this song...it was faint in her memory. She flopped down onto her bed and closed her eyes, listening to the song.
XxXxXxX
"Nooo! Stop singing!!"
"Why?! I have a wonderful voice!"
"Hahahahaa!"
"Hey, that's mean, Yvette!"
"So?! Mihara has a better voice than you!"
"I know she does!"
She could feel the smirk behind the next thing said. "So you would rather me sing?"
"I'd rather you both not sing!"
"You sing, then!"
"No way! I'm not singing in front of ya'll!"
"Than make Joy or Trisha sing!"
The three heads turned to the other two girls. They shook their heads furiously.
"No! I'm not singing!"
"Why not?! You're the only one here in chorus class, Joy!"
"So?"
"Fine then. Trisha! You're up!"
"Bite me."
"Okay."
"Owww!! Yvette, that was a figure of speech!!"
Then, two of the girls broke into a chorus:
When you walk away
You don't hear me say: "Please, oh baby...don't go."
Simple and clean as the way that you're making me feel tonight.
It's hard to let it go.
You're giving me...too many things.
Lately, you're all I need.
You smiled at me...and said:
"Don't get me wrong, I love you. But does that mean I have to meet your father? When we are older, you'll understand what I meant when I said no."
I don't think life is quite that simple.
When you walk away, you don't hear me say: "Please, oh baby...don't go."
Simple and clean as the way that you're making me feel tonight.
It's hard to let it go.
(So simple and clean)
The daily things...
(Like this and everyone just want)
That k-
A whistle blew. "Come on! Time to go inside, everyone! Hey, Jason! Don't hit that dodgeball with that bat!!"
"Man, we were on a roll, too!"
"Yeah...! Maybe we can finish later! And maybe I can get you over so we can finish that and play Dance Dance Revolution."
"Awesome!"
XxXxXxX
Mihara's heart thumped. "You're...you're not real... You..."
Ranulf, the warrior of Gallia and right hand of Gallia's king, stood before Mihara with an agitated look on his face. He set the pan and spoon aside, and his face was replaced with amusement. "I'm not real?" He chuckled. "Well, that's quite rude, isn't it?"
"I'm...I'm still dreaming, aren't I? You...you can't really be Ranulf...standing in my living room..."
Ranulf sighed and outstretched his hand. He pinched Mihara's arm harshly, Mihara yelping from the sudden pinch. When he stopped, Mihara blinked, nothing having changed.
"This is no dream," Ranulf insisted, his voice low and soothing to Mihara. "I have come for you."
"Come...for me? For what?" Mihara rubbed her arm from where Ranulf had pinched her.
"You must return to Tellius with me, Mihara Sitona," the cat warrior stated bluntly.
"...What? Me? But what for? You're not even real! You're a man- laguz in a video game!"
"Must I pinch you again?"
Mihara flinched slightly.
"Come now, Mihara. You will return. I promise." Ranulf held out his hand, giving Mihara an assuring look.
He promised...he promised I could go back...
XxXxXxX
"Oh, no! Wait, Rajaion! Come back here!" Ena scooped up her crawling baby.
Nasir glanced at her with amusement. "He giving you trouble again?"
"He's only three, but he's already trying to crawl everywhere! One of these days, I'm going to find him in King Kurth's room, hanging off the balcony..."
"Becoming a mom has changed you a bit, Ena."
Ena looked at her grandfather. "Well, I don't want anything to happen to Rajaion. Although, at the moment," Ena pretended to glare at her baby, who was giggling innocently, "I'm thinking of making Gareth take care of you full time! You troublesome little boy!"
Nasir smiled warmly at his granddaughter and great-grandson. "Do you mind if I hold him, Ena?"
"Of course not. Here you go..."
As Ena gently handed her grandfather her child, she watched as Nasir's face softened. He cradled the baby – who was only an infant, in dragon years. However, Nasir winced when Rajaion reached up and snagged his hair. "You're right. He is a troublesome boy!" Nasir held Rajaion carefully over his head and spun around. Rajaion squealed with joy, flapping his wings around, as though he were flying.
Suddenly, Kurthnaga entered the room, Gareth following him. The young dragon king seemed upset and deep in thought. Ena looked at him with concern, Nasir holding Rajaion securely again. "What's wrong, King Kurth?" Ena inquired softly.
"There is a possibility of another war."
Nasir's eyes narrowed with anger. "What?"
"There have apparantly been small rebel groups in Begnion and Daein. They have recently been acting, attacking people and small villages, forcing people to fight with them. However, because they're so small, size-wise, Empress Sanaki cannot catch them. Nor can Micaiah." Kurthnaga turned his gaze towards his nephew. "I'm worried for the little one, in case of another war."
"What will you do if there is another war?" Ena asked, taking Rajaion from Nasir.
"We will do nothing," Kurth answered quickly. "Ever since Nasir and Gareth explained to me why my father stayed neutral, I've felt the same way. I understand why he did it. In the last war, when I fought against Father, I felt myself slowly losing control, and I couldn't see anything around me but my enemy."
"Of course. As you wish, sire."
XxXxXxX
Xavier jumped from a cliff, waited a few moments, then shifted to his large otter form, slipping into the water without hardly a splash. His people followed after him, some whooping with joy.
Xavier and Keenan met with Skrimir. It had taken a while to work things out between the tribes. However, Skrimir granted land to Xavier for his people along the coast, near the borderline of Crimea. Keenan disapproved of the lay of land. Since Gallia was mostly forest, there was not enough flat land for his people to run and be free. The horse tribe was going to stay in the country for a few days before setting out to look for better land. Keenan had allowed whoever wanted to stay that they could remain in the beast tribe's country.
And so, Xavier and his people set out to their new land. They had just arrived and had decided to go swimming before building anything. Skrimir had let a few strong warriors to go with Xavier to help them build their castle.
Xavier and Hadrian swam out a ways to examine the area. Xavier turned back to the land. He gestured towards the cliff. "I think we can build the castle right along here. It has a view of the ocean, as we all like, and it can build around the trees. The trees may help protect us, as well. Anyways, I don't think we can build the castle on the water like we had at home. We don't know the weather patterns here yet."
"Very well, King Xavier." Hadrian looked up and down the coastline, as though he were looking for something.
"Something wrong?" Xavier raised an eyebrow.
"No. I was just thinking. Don't worry about it – it wasn't important."
"If you say so. I'm going to go under and see how deep it is here."
"Okay."
Xavier took a small breath and swam underwater. He paddled down to where the water became a little cold. However, it was nothing more than a slight chill to the king. He thought he went down pretty far, for it began to grow just slightly dark. He looked upward, seeing the light and the swimming movements of his people above him. He looked back down and saw a shadow of something down deeper. He squinted, trying to see what it was. Whatever it was, it was big. He thought a moment before swimming deeper.
He got close enough to it to see what it was. It was a ship. It was old and fragile-looking, covered in sea vegetation, fish swimming around in it. However, what startled him slightly was the movement he saw come from the ship – movement that wasn't that of a fish. He swam behind a nearby collection of large boulders, trying to keep track of whatever was moving down inside the ship. It had a fairly long tail. Xavier guessed that it could've been one of his own people, exploring down there. However, he wanted to be sure.
He slowly swam towards the ship to see who it was, but the figure stopped moving. So did Xavier. He stared at it and could tell its head was turned towards him. It looked like an otter, to him. What was strange was that the otter shot towards him with great speed, slashing with its claw. When Xavier dodged the random attack, the otter swam past him, heading out towards sea. Xavier stared after it. It was a female, he could tell, and a laguz – not just a regular otter.
Who in the world was that? She seemed a little familiar...
XxXxXxX
"Ah, Felicity. You're back. Did you find anything?" Ike turned towards his otter laguz companion.
The female shifted back to a half-beorc form. "Nothing. I almost got caught, though, by King Xavier."
Ike frowned. "We're that close to the land?"
"Well, I swim faster than the king. I was swimming for at least a half hour to get back here. I was looking down in the ship for over twenty minutes. I searched everywhere I could. There was nothing, though. Sorry."
"It's okay. Thank you for going down there."
"Eh, it's no problem."
"Well...we're going to have to move faster, if want to stop her. I know that Yune has already found out about her..."
XxXxXxX
"Yes...I think you've recovered quite well. But still, Mist, for a while, don't push yourself," Rhys ordered.
"Okay. Thank you, Rhys. I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. It was only a matter of time before your body broke down from all that you've been juggling."
Mist smiled sadly. "But still, thank you."
Rhys nodded, took his staff, and walked from the room. Mist waited a moment and stood, taking a moment ot let her head rush go away. She walked out the door. Rolf was there, sitting on the floor. He saw her come out and his face light up. "Mist! Are you okay now?"
"Yeah. Sorry for worrying you, Rolf."
"It's no problem. You should know that by now. Are you hungry?"
"Starved."
"Let's go down to the kitchen and get you something. I think Ilyana and Aimee are down there, making some food for you."
Mist laughed softly. "No doubt Ilyana is eating some, herself."
Rolf smiled. "Yeah, she probably is. She'd probably become whoever's best friend as long as they could cook like Oscar."
"More than likely. Are you hungry, too?"
"A little. Come on. Let's go down."
"Okay. Thank you, Rolf."
XxXxXxX
Rafiel and Leanne sung loudly, not evening gazing at the medallion that sat upon the Serenes Alter. Reyson sat, watching them, thinking about how six years ago, he thought he was the only one left of his family. Lorazieh sat beside his son, Laurel beside him. She smiled and said softly, "Their singing is beautiful."
"It is. Reyson, why don't you join them?" Lorazieh looked at his youngest son with hopeful eyes.
Reyson stared at the two beside him for a moment, then stood, flying over to his brother and sister. Without even a hesitation, Reyson held out his arms and began singing galdrar with his siblings, closing his eyes.
"You have wonderful children, Lord Lorazieh," Laurel stated.
"Thank you, Lady Laurel. Do you have any children of your own?"
"Regretfully, no. I do long for some, though. If you do not mind my asking, what happened to your wife?"
Lorazieh's face fell, his children's singing faltering for a second, picking up their father's sad emotion. "She was killed in the massacre."
"Oh...I'm so sorry. Please forget I asked."
"It's okay. No worries. I still have my children. They are my world."
"You love them very much, don't you?"
"Of course I do. I hope you have children, Lady Laurel. You will then know the love a parent has for their children."
"I do look forward to that day."
The two stopped talking so they wouldn't interrupt Rafiel, Leanne, and Reyson's singing.
XxXxXxX
The song that Mihara heard on her MP3 was Simple and Clean by Utada Hikaru. I only know it because they played it on Kingdom Hearts. Go Kingdom Hearts! AWESOMESAUCE MUSIC!
Hmm...what is the mystery behind Felicity? Why does she stay with Ike? Sure, 'musclehead' needs help, but why does she decide to do it? What was she looking for on the ship?
Also, as to Mihara's past friends, I came up with random names to fit my 'gang' of friends. In my main group, there's usually five girls (including me) and either three or four boys. At the moment, Mihara can only remember the names of her female friends. Will she ever get to go home?
I don't know, maybe you just have to keep reading!
Please review!!
