Not only is this the 2nd update today but it is also the last chapter of Ymarkteg: SARHARA, following this Soren and Mia's Troop move onto another nation of Ymarkteg...
Also I'm starting my 8th play through of Fire Emblem: Awakening
Chapter Twenty
Black Fort Town, Myillheim
Several hours after the group rested at the Sarhara Palace, they were back with Fistivus and Lune on the Lone Road, the only actual path through the Crown Desert and across the border into the Core Black Nation of Numengate where Meloi said they were taking the King and Queen to be executed, followed by the murder of Numengate civilians, tonight at midnight.
"My Queen, we must dispatch a squadron of rocs to rescue King Gra'Tisk as quickly as possible!"
The Queen remained silent as Hashten'Kor paced around in front of Soren and Mia's group trying to convince her to mobilize Sarharan military over the border.
"Never since this peace began has any nation moved military across border lines…can you imagine how we would appear to the other nations?"
Hashten'Kor screamed, echoing through the entire chamber "Damn the other nations! This is our King! It does NOT matter what their opinions will be! We will not let our kingdom fall into disarray after our King is slaughtered by these…these MONSTERS!"
Kay'Shera placed a hand on her commanders back and told him to calm down; Soren took the chance to step forward.
"I entirely understand your position…but this is their big move, my group can fight them, but we may not make it in time to save Gra'Tisk, even at our best…we will need this aid."
The Queen sighed and rested her head on her hands "I know, I know more than anyone what is at risk here…not just the life of my husband, but of Sarhara's King, Sarhara's Peace, Sarhara's Order and Ymarkteg's Peace."
"Every minute we spend discussing this, our King comes closer to his death!" Hashten'Kor added in, the Queen closed her eyes to his statement
"The Numengate forces at the Myillheim Border Keep will put up even more of a struggle in allowing Sarharan Troops into their nation…we can't simply push past them, we won't."
Hashten'Kor turned away, cursing to himself he left the chamber "I'll understand if you all fail…but you are all that can cross and combat these dark forces in Numengate, not only to rescue…well, attempt to rescue my husband, but to discover who they really are."
Soren nodded before feeling the outline of the tomes she gave them. He has pulled off many strategic miracles during all the wars he has been a part of, and several have included failures in one part or another, but this time it seemed that saving the King was almost impossible.
They left shortly after and headed for the Myillheim Border Keep which sat at the extreme edge of the border between Sarhara and Numengate, part of the keep was even on Sarharan soil.
Thanks to Mia's description of the tunnel that she battled Meloi and the Ethereal Man in, the Sarharan Palace Guard was able to pinpoint that the chasm they passed through, was the distant lower levels of the Border Crevasse, a massive trench that crosses the eastern edge of the Crown Desert and into Numengate. Somehow the Dune Guard formed that tunnel beneath the earth and linked it to the sight of their key event which will catapult the dark forces behind the Korgans and Dune Guard to the forefront of threats against Ymarkteg's peace.
It didn't help that the next peace conference to be held in Numengate was two weeks away; it could easily become the first war conference in the decades since the established peace.
Along the way, Soren read through the book about the users of True Elder Magic while Mia and a very interested Mikel flipped through the pages of the dark history around Helswath, Gashuuka and four other individuals with nightmarish weapons.
Fistivus called their attention as they reached the Border Keep, he and Lune began talking to the Numengate Guardsmen and after several minutes they were through.
Kay'Shera rode above the group on her roc, keeping an ever watchful eye out. Leena decided to hop on as well, having never flown on any creature in her travels.
"This is…amazing!" Leena cried out as the roc screeched and soared through the air.
"Indeed, sometimes my troubles easily slip away while I'm up here with Michalis, replaced by peaceful thoughts and feelings like now or intense rage when I'm in combat."
Leena whistled "I always have an intense rage in me; I just don't let it show in situations where it isn't warranted.
The pair laughed worlds away from the situation at hand that the group slowly began to close in on as the sun traveled to the horizon and the moon began to rise.
Wyre looked up from his map "The Black Fort Town of Myillheim, a stronghold during the warring ages, also a favorite place of several princes of Numengate."
Orgoth nodded "This place drew many high class figures for having death battles between prisoners of other nations and heroes of Numengate. Needless to say, it's one of the reasons this nation earned the title of Black."
"Something they wear proudly in this day and age." The pair turned to face Lyle after he finished his comment. Orgoth noticed the swordmaster was uneasy but had no desire to poke into his business at the moment.
To'Eltz looked over to an incredibly nervous Wayu, she'd never been in such intense combat situations until Soren and Mia recruited her from Corelis Bay. Skilled with a spear at fishing, To'Eltz was amazed at how well she speared her foes; undoubtedly a skill she didn't know could work in various situations.
"Nothing to be worried about Wayu, we'll come out on top like we always have."
Facing the Sarharan, Wayu nodded "I do not doubt it…but we don't really know what we're up against. Korgans and Dune Guard will probably be there…but…that Midnight 11 person…"
To'Eltz turned away as his thoughts flashed to the enigmatic soldier that attacked and took out almost their entire group in such a short amount of time.
Early during their trip down the Lone Road, Soren addressed the group about Midnight 11.
Most of them didn't know what to think about the mysterious soldier. He was obviously a part of the black clad individuals that have been sighted recently. Separate from the Korgans and the Dune Guard and most likely the troops of the real mastermind behind everything.
Mikel scratched his head "He was way ferocious, I've always thought of myself as a powerhouse but he was nothing to scoff at.
Leena and Lyle sighed and in unison stated "I can't believe how quickly I was taken out."
"At least you swung your weapons at him, he caught me by surprise and I was out." Wyre commented.
Mia glanced at Ein'Tosen at her side, using it during the Dune Guard Headquarters invasion was an excellent choice, yet somehow, even putting it through Midnight 11's head did not end the vile apparition.
"Why did it speak and act the way it did? Our weapons tore through him and took off his fingers yet he kept coming…a headshot was only enough to slow him down." As To'Eltz continued to speculate Soren put an arm around Mia, he knew exactly what she was thinking about.
"You're alright, Mia…I was unbelievably worried when you went off on your own."
Mia smiled "You were the one who told me to go."
"I know…if I had known you would run into the Ethereal Man on your own…I probably would've told you to stay."
Mia didn't enjoy that brief encounter with the strange man; he was definitely powerful and held some kind of hidden anger towards her and by extension, Soren.
"It all worked out in the end…and if this execution is as important as Meloi claimed it to be, then he might show up again, only this time…"
Soren smiled and turned to Mia "We'll all be there."
Myillheim didn't have a massive wall around it like Treige but it did have a giant black fort in the middle of the town, obviously the reason for its namesake, the group decided to split up, half to look for any hints or clues as to where the people holding King Gra'Tisk will choose to execute him and the other to speak with the individuals in charge of the city to ask for aid.
"Fistivus, Lune, go with Mikel, Wayu, Wyre, To'Eltz, Orgoth and Leena to look for anything and ask anyone for some kind of help."
The merchants nodded to Mia, with Lune commenting "Gathering information is just one of our skills."
"Living to be this old is the other!" at Fistivus' statement, Lune slapped him before they walked off with the others.
Soren, Mia, Lyle and Kay'Shera took off towards the Archduke's Residence, they may not have gotten any aid from Sarhara for understandable yet inconvenient reasons, but now more than ever, they needed help.
With the moon overhead now, the Ethereal Man stood out in the countryside looking at Myillheim in the distance with two figures appearing next to him.
"You two checking in on me…I thought you were ordered to remain in Pozem."
They shrugged with one, a man stating "This is the big moment, tonight at midnight; we don't want to miss it."
Turning the Ethereal Man shook his head "Don't make me call Norad over here!"
"Too late."
The three turned in sync and took to one knee as a man walked over to them, every step showed that he was cocky, confident and placed himself above the three that knelt to him.
"Before you ask, I'm here for the same reason…but no worries, I'll stand aside and just observe…also, everything in Regalshin is fine."
The Ethereal Man shook his head quickly "No need for you to explain yourself to me, Norad…"
Nodding slowly, Norad turned to the other two kneeling and smiled "If I wasn't here for the same reason I'd be a little upset, follow the rules while you are in Numengate, don't interfere with the plan."
The two nodded and then all three stood with the Ethereal Man departing.
"One last thing! You must show me more respect and identify me as Norad Jyuugo."
Stopping the Ethereal Man turned and bowed "I apologize; it won't happen again…Norad Jyuugo."
Upon entering the Archduke's Residence the group was surprised that the one in charge of Myillheim was an Archduchess. "That is what you get for having an outdated source."
The woman said with a smile, handing them a more recent map and a few texts "I take no offense of course but some others out there may not be so understanding…regardless, my name is Rey, Rey Oshwa, what reason do you all have for coming out here from...Anondye."
She kept her eyes on Lyle when she said that, then turned to Kay'Shera "Though you seem to be from Sarhara…and you two…"
Soren nodded "Yes, we aren't of Ymarkteg, more importantly we need your help."
Sitting, Rey faced the group with a smile "What can I help you with?"
King Gra'Tisk sat alone in a cell with a single man outside standing entirely still. Several times the King believed it was some kind of figure, not a real person, but every time he got closer to it, he noticed that it was moving very slightly.
"The King of Sarhara in the age of peace, executed in Numengate…I pray that the nations can get past this…please, don't let a war break out over my life, not now."
Hearing footsteps he looked outside as a man walked up to the guard, bowing slowly the guard walked away as the man opened the cell, walked over to King Gra'Tisk and got down on one knee, his eyes staring directly into the King's.
"Who are you?"
"Nobody…well…right now I'm a nobody…but by midnight tonight, everyone will know me, though they won't."
The King raised an eyebrow as the man continued "They'll know of this event, your death, but they won't know about me, the man who ended the age of peace."
"Are you behind all of this!?"
Standing the man smiled "No…remember? I just said that I'm a nobody…I've been all over Ymarkteg and spoken to many people, it's amazing what some individuals will tell a lonesome hermit who they barely know. Even those destined for royalty tell me the strangest things…things that no one should know like…the murder their father helped them cover, having your father be the king of a nation certainly has its benefits."
Gra'Tisk's eyes widened as he stood and backed away from the man "You…you were…you are…"
"Yes, I am the man you met the week after you killed that poor man whose name no one even knows…see, I don't have a name, so I could care less about that…but to completely wipe a man from existence to save yourself…that is truly amazing."
"You look just like you did all those years ago…I was a young man, not even worthy of the title prince…you…haven't aged."
The hermit laughed "No…this face hasn't aged, this isn't my true face…don't open your mouth, the hour of your death draws near so I no longer need to speak or tell you anything. Just know that you played only a minor role in my…creation…but the coming events will represent my apotheosis…I will assume…" trailing off, the hermit stared up to the ceiling, slowly he stood and walked away as several guards walked in and took a stunned Gra'Tisk away.
Sitting back in her chair, Rey absorbed everything Soren and Mia told her along with pleas from Kay'Shera, who told in good faith that her nation, despite the Queen wanting to send troops in, decided not to, preserving the long established borders of the neighboring nations.
Rey stood and looked to her side, Soren followed her glance to mounted gear, clearly hers and most likely not used for a long time.
The Archduchess looked back at the group "It is very hard to believe…but we have received reports of men posing as the vile Korgan Clan and the treacherous Dune Guard, we believed them to be replica criminals…not the actual men back from the dead."
She shook her head "I don't know if…it's so…I…" Times like these, Soren realized some people in elevated positions have never had the misfortune to be part of a terrible event. In such a long time of peace, there must be commanders and leaders out there who have never actually commanded or lead true battles or missions with stakes.
"We'll handle the bulk of the situation when it arises…we just need back up for when things get hectic…they have an unknown amount of men at the ready and the possibility they have been enhanced to the point that impaling them several times won't stop their charge."
Rey looked at Soren and then to Mia, followed by Lyle and Kay'Shera "I'll get the troops ready…where do you think-"
Before she could continue, Wayu and Orgoth stormed in, the two yelled out in unison "Stone pillars tore out of the ground in the market square!"
The group took off quickly, leaving Rey to scramble to her feet and call for her captain.
To'Eltz and Mikel stumbled through several panicked civilians who took off in random directions as the stone walls and pillars continued to shoot out of the ground to create a large 'stage' of sorts, no doubt for the upcoming execution.
Mikel turned and noticed several more members of the group across the former plaza as the stage continued to form.
To'Eltz tapped Mikel's shoulder, turning the warrior noticed To'Eltz pointing to the buildings, on top of several of them were Earth Sages of the Dune Guard, the ones creating the monolith before them.
As the warrior began to move, To'Eltz stopped him "We're here for something much bigger than a couple of sages."
Finally, a flash of black lightning struck the stage, blinding everyone and causing the remaining civilians who didn't run away to scream. When the light faded, King Gra'Tisk was surrounded by several black robed warriors including a fully armed man that greatly resembled Midnight 11.
Next to them was the Ethereal Man who raised his hand causing several Earth Sages to appear, forming a perimeter around the plaza and cutting off escape for any more civilians.
"Hear me citizens of Myillheim! We are here to stop this country from blinding everyone in the divine radiance of peace. A false image that can be easily broken, like any pane of glass…you've all been lied to…"
To'Eltz's eyes met with more members of the group mixed in with several civilians. Leena and Wyre nodded at the trickster as they moved within the crowd to get to a better spot, the Sarharan turned to the Ethereal Man and thought of Soren and Mia "Hopefully, they'll come with reinforcements, even I'd have a hard time taking out all of these guys, far too spread, too many civilians."
"Soon, we will show you that there can be no peace, no order and no place for anyone in a world of light…because the brighter your hope is…the longer the shadows of deviance that you cast become…"
The man turned to Gra'Tisk and laughed "This benevolent ruler who controls Sarhara has lied to his people…he is as dark and dirty a man as Meloi or Murawk who continue to torment you…in his youth, he has killed and because of the place of his family, his father the last Sarharan King, they covered up his…small mistakes…and there are many like him out there, the former archduke of this very city wasn't removed for the people favoring the young Rey Oshwa! No…the former archduke joined us alongside two brothers who caused the disasters at the Sarhara Palace and Western Archive!"
The civilians began talking amongst each other in disbelief, Mikel looked around confused and turned to To'Eltz "Who was the former archduke?"
"I believe his name was Dalton…there were whispers of some of his supposed crimes but…what this man says may be true."
"There is no such thing as true peace…we have proved it simply by living…but you have proved it by creating men like Lo'Tem, Qi'No and Dalton who would easily turn on the nations that stopped them from bringing true peace…tonight we act on their example, Archduke Dalton sought out people within Myillheim who would turn on the nation of Numengate and killed them in the streets…actions hushed up by neighboring cities and the royal court to continue this façade called peace…now we live by his example, the King before us is the criminal, the man behind him is, as you call it, the justice."
Holding his arm out, the dark armored man formed a black lightning bolt that turned into a large ax. As he lifted it Mikel charged forward yelling as To'Eltz cursed.
"Too late!"
An axe flew from above, disarming the executioner followed by Soren's call to action.
Across the way, Leena flashed her blade and beheaded a sage as Wyre shot out a brave bolt, knocking four down on their backs. Soren, Mia and Lyle leapt off a roof into the crowd to continue taking out the Earth Sages as more Dune Guard appeared around the Ethereal Man and charged towards the civilians.
Orgoth protected a man and noticed that the Dune Guard weren't focusing on Soren and Mia's group; they began killing the trapped citizens of Numengate.
"Shit, we could use Rey Oshwa's cover!"
In the air Kay'Shera flew by throwing her spears at the Dune Guard below, even in the dead of night, their red robes made them easy targets, but the black cloaked guards on the stage were another story.
As Wayu impaled another man and hurried off several civilians, she turned to the sky "Nice axe toss, Kay'Shera!"
The roc knight turned after tossing another spear "That wasn't me!"
Hearing a roc screech the group looked up to see Hashten'Kor dive down and swing his mighty axe, cleaving into several Dune Guard, following the Roc Lord were a dozen roc knights, waving their weapons and crying out as they descended on the Ethereal Man's forces.
Turning, the Ethereal Man signaled "Midnight 10, have fun…Korgans!" at his call, several of the vile bandits emerged from the stage, tearing through it and out into the crowd, mixing with the people, Dune Guard and heroic forces.
As Soren cut through another red cloaked foe, a bandit tackled him to the group, rolling to his feet; he got up as Mia leapt past him and struck down the man.
"Soren!" Turning quickly, the sage witnessed Lyle back him up and kill another bandit "You have some rude fans." The swordmaster commented as he pulled his blades out of the Korgan.
Standing near each other, the three acknowledged one another and moved back against the Korgans and Dune Guard.
Leena cut through another bandit as Wyre called out to her, flipping over the sage as he turned and fired an Arcthunder. She landed, protecting his back by catching a lance with her blade as his strike traveled and killed a man threatening a civilian. Whipping about, Wyre saw Leena tear the lance away from the Dune Guard and moved a few steps to his side, delivering a finishing blow into the unarmed man.
Mikel was on the stage alone, smashing his axe against a black cloaked warrior who pushed him away before moving in for another strike. Avoiding the blow, Mikel whipped around and caught the man in the side. Moving back quickly, Midnight 10 leapt over him, black lightning in his hand forming into a black blade that cut into Mikel's stomach. Raising his foot Midnight 10 kicked Mikel off the stage and onto the floor as To'Eltz flipped over his blade colliding with the ethereal blade.
The black cloaked man walked back into position next to their glowing leader as Midnight 10 forced To'Eltz off the stage as well.
"My designation is Midnight 10…I understand it is your group that defeated Midnight 11, you'll not find me as easy to eliminate."
The black warriors behind him armed their bows and fired into Hashten'Kor's forces, one of the Rocs was struck while his rider took an arrow to the neck. Choking on his blood, mount and rider fell out of the sky and crashed into the earth stage.
To'Eltz charged at Midnight 10 again and continued clashing, the weapons releasing showers of bright and black sparks across the stage.
Kay'Shera flew close to the ground, her lance easily cutting into a Korgan; Wayu leapt on her roc "You need to get Hashten'Kor's guys out of here! The guys with the bows on the stage will cut through his knights!"
"I'll try!" As Kay'Shera shot back up, Wayu leapt off and flew over Leena and Wyre, landing near a group of civilians and blocking two swords with her lance.
Nearly tripping over a dead man Orgoth stumbled over to Lyle, Soren and Mia "Mikel is injured and To'Eltz is fighting on the stage alone, not to mention the warriors shooting arrows into the sky and-"
The group dove aside, Lyle grabbing the armored knight and knocking him to the ground as another roc knight fell dead where they were.
Mia stood "We can't cover all this on our own!"
"You don't have to!" Turning to a loud horse whiny, the group saw a now armed Rey Oshwa leap over a rock wall, followed by several more paladins. Her white horse leapt into the air as she waved the tome in her hand, firing a bright ball into a crowd of Korgans and calling out "Komaru!"
The light exploded, blinding the men, allowing a group of paladins to dash through, killing them men instantly.
Soren turned to the Valkyrie who smiled "I'm not cut out for this beyond that…give me orders and I'll relay them to my knights."
Nodding, the tactician closed his eyes, silencing the combat all around them before opening them "We need civilians to be given priority, find any threatened by Korgans or Dune Guard and rescue them, occasionally fire your Komaru onto the stage to stall the warriors from killing the Roc knights overhead, as your paladins manage the chaos, we'll deal with the command."
Nodding Rey Oshwa reared her horse and charged as a dozen more paladins leapt over the rock wall to join the fray.
As a roc fell from the sky, Soren turned to Mia and Lyle and the three charged towards the stage, passing by Wyre tending to a wounded Mikel.
Kay'Shera flew up next to Hashten'Kor "You need to pull your men back! They are all at risk!"
"I told them I could not guarantee a single life, even my own. The forty knights that followed me to the border became the twelve most valiant I fight alongside now, living or dead…we are not retreating until the King has been rescued."
"…Hashten'Kor…"
"I did not and do not believe a single word of this strange figure's speech…our king and queen are the herald of our nation's peace…now and forever."
With a cut down his left leg, two on his right arm and a sword in his side, To'Eltz stumbled back and fell to one knee as Midnight 10 formed another blade in his left hand.
"You are an insane fighter…but I have control of myself…of this battle and…of you…"
As he aimed his blade at To'Eltz the trickster brought his staff into the dark man's chin and rolled away, tearing the blade out of his side he leapt as Midnight 10 swung around with his blade. Landing on his feet To'Eltz brought his shorter sword to bear, clashing the weapons again but sliding down the length of Midnight 10's sword, cutting through the hilt and rolling past the man.
As Midnight 10 turned, Soren's Arcwind drilled into his side, followed by Mia and Lyle's blades cutting into him. Turning back, To'Eltz rammed his blade into Midnight 10's chest.
Holding his hand out, Midnight 10 shot a powerful surge of black light into To'Eltz, the explosive force knocked To'Eltz through a stone pillar and sliding across the floor unconscious as Midnight 10 turned to face three new challengers.
"Midnight 11 showed you nowhere near the extent of our skills…do you really wish to test me?"
Lyle laughed "We don't want to test you; we're here to kill you."
Charging the swordmaster's two blades met with two of Midnight 10's, the pair danced across the stage, steel meeting steel until Midnight 10 dropped his blades and placed his hands on Lyle's chest. The swordmaster quickly sank both his blades into Midnight 10's body as a black pulse exploded from the man's hands. The clothes on Lyle's back tore off as the pulse passed through his body and threw him into a stone pillar.
Coughing blood, Lyle noticed Mia run past and Soren come to his side "Is that the best…you got…"
Swinging Ein'Tosen Mia sliced through Midnight 10's swords reducing them to glowing shards that vanished into thin air. Surprised, the black knight jumped away as Mia pursued him. As he prepared black lightning a blade tore through his gut, he turned to face Leena who ripped it out followed by a surge of Wyre's lightning. As Midnight 10 stumbled away, Mia released a surge of purple flames that washed over the knight and threw him to the ground.
Taking the opportunity Hashten'Kor dove down towards the warriors, preparing their bows a ball of light blinded them again, giving Soren and Lyle time to dash over and kill the two warriors.
The Roc Lord took to the sky with King Gra'Tisk on his roc "Hashten'Kor! What are you doing!?"
"Saving your life my King…I'll not let these monsters tell lies about you."
"Don't risk any more Sarharan lives, I'm not worth it!"
"Please, my King, don't talk like that, you are the hope of the Sarharan people!"
As the Roc Lord took off, Mia reengaged Midnight 10 with Leena and Wyre's backing as Soren and Lyle came to a stop in front of the Ethereal Man.
He stared at the two and laughed "Fighting next to each other, trusting each other…that is weakness."
"I'm not interested in hearing anymore of your twisted philosophy…who are you!?"
Extending his partial wings, the Ethereal Man began screeching, the earth stage cracking and shattering as a result. The combat slowed to a crawl as the heroic forces covered their ears. The unaffected Korgans and Dune Guard began charging the distracted paladins, Soren turned and saw Rey come to a stop "Rey!" a Korgan leapt over and struck her in the back with an axe, knocking her off her horse to the floor.
"You fuck!" Lyle cried out, charging the Ethereal Man, his blade being caught by the man's left hand. Leaping onto the blade, Lyle swung his second weapon; it too was caught by the vile man's right hand. Reaching to the third blade on his leg he struck the Ethereal Man in the face, spinning the blade he sunk it into the man's head and leapt away.
Soren noticed Mia, Wyre and Leena on the floor as a result of the screech, Midnight 10 threatening them with a blade. Throwing his, it stuck into Midnight 10's back.
Turning with red eyes flashing the armed man began to charge at Soren; Mia got on her knees and fired a powerful purple blast into the man, searing his armor before bringing her other hand up, the shots of flames began cutting through the body and several pieces falling off. Ceasing her assault she fell to the floor followed by the ruined body of Midnight 10.
Running alongside Lyle, Soren bit his lip before turning to his ally "Take care of Mia, Wyre and Leena!"
He leapt off the stage as Lyle skidded to a halt "Are you sure!?" Lyle called out, shocked and confused, not receiving a response he turned to the three fallen fighters and took an elixir out of his pouch before kneeling next to Mia.
Soren nearly tripped before coming to a stop near Rey and pulling out his recover staff.
She opened one of her eyes slowly, and smiled "How did we do?"
"I think we won…though we lost many brave men and women in the fight."
She sighed and closed her eye "Don't do that, Rey! I'm not letting you become another one of the fallen!"
"I'll be fine…I just…"
"Soren!" Turning, the Archsage saw Lyle, the Ethereal Man, blade still sticking through his head was grabbing Lyle by the neck. He held an arm out to Mia, the end of a blade came out of his open palm "Make a choice Archsage…allow me to show you what a little darkness and a lot of hope and belief can do to a person…I'll kill whichever you think I should…and it'll destroy you…but someone like me or Lo'Tem, Qi'No, Murawk, Meloi, Dalton…our lives are covered in darkness…we can make the hard choices and not look back…we will do anything to preserve what we believe in…true peace…true order…stillness of life…like the stillness of midnight."
Soren stood, eyes keeping on Mia as the Ethereal Man laughed
"No comeback? I can see you already chose this woman…sorry to say Lyle, even now, you mean nothing to him, not as a friend or a comrade."
Lyle's head turned slightly, eyes landing on Soren "I understand, Soren, I'll not think ill of you…you have my word!"
As Soren began to move, Hashten'Kor dove down, axe striking the Ethereal Man's arm, severing it and dropping Lyle, the swordmaster kicked off the ground and rolled away as the evil man stumbled back.
Soren seized the opportunity and released a powerful surging stream of black fire into the Ethereal Man.
As he screamed the flames began eating him, Lyle gave Soren a thumbs up, however, the Ethereal Man's screams turned into laughter as he ran his hand through the black fire.
Soren halted the attack in shock, the Ethereal Man looked up and with a quick flick of his hand a bolt of lightning shot out and struck a roc, the creature let out a loud dying shriek as it fell to the ground.
Hearing Kay'Shera call out, Soren looked closely and noticed Hashten'Kor and Gra'Tisk fall and crash into the ground.
Turning back, Soren was shocked to see the Ethereal Man moved to stand directly in front of him. The black and purple essences that made up his humanoid figure began to fade away.
"The same trick…"
Soren's eyes widened as he faced the flesh and blood creature in front of him, razor sharp teeth and grin, then his piercing bloody eyes.
"…won't kill me twice…"
Orgoth, gripping his arm looked over to Soren, Kay'Shera who landed near Hashten'Kor and Gra'Tisk turned around.
To'Eltz and Mikel, helping each other to keep standing stared at the new foe that revealed himself.
Lyle gulped, even from behind as the wings extended, he knew this man from Mia's stories.
Soren swallowed and gritted his teeth "Kanahana…"
The vampire's grin grew even wider and he began laughing before leaping into the air.
"We are The Midnight…we rise to bring this continent…stillness…"
A black flash caused several more dark soldiers to appear around Kanahana, all floating in midair.
"I am, Kanahana…my hatred for you has made me unimaginably more powerful…I'll concede this battle for now, our point has been made, and Ymarkteg knows they should fear the hour of midnight, as it signifies…"
Gesturing to the soldiers around him, one of which Soren noticed was as heavily armored as Midnight 11 and 10.
"…us…"
With a laugh and flash of lightning the group vanished, leaving the ruined earth stage and dead bodies littering the plaza.
No longer needing to hide, the Korgan and Dune Guard bodies did not burn away as they have done before.
"What are you supposed to do now…Soren?"
Hearing Ashnard's cackling laughter following his statement Soren fell to one knee, furious at seeing Kanahana and being unable to protect the people of Myillheim and nearly loosing several members of his group, including Mia.
With Kanahana in the mix now this became much more personal, "Kanahana…you've made more mistakes in this night then you did in your entire previous life…"
Following the sunrise, a gravely injured Rey Oshwa sat with her left arm which she landed on, in a cast. She looked at the injured paladins as they cleared the bodies, a man finished giving her his report waited for a reaction, not getting anything he bowed and left.
Lyle covered in various cloths for his cuts and bruises walked up next to her.
She turned to him tears in her eyes, Lyle remembered what Soren commented after they left the archduchess' residence to battle the Korgans and Dune Guard. Many leaders of this peaceful continent have never seen or commanded in true combat. Its sorrows have never fully impacted them, he sighed, remembering how he constantly wished he could've been like them. Only to realize you have to live through it sooner or later.
Closing his eyes he thought of Hashten'Kor's men, all but two of them survived and the thirty paladins Rey brought were reduced to thirteen.
He then turned to the fallen roc that belonged to Hashten'Kor and memories of the recovery from last night came back.
"Hashten'Kor! You fool! I should've died tonight!" Gra'Tisk yelled out as Kay'Shera kneeled next to Hashten'Kor, they fell from high in the air; he protected Gra'Tisk and landed on the hard ground on his back. Unable to breathe he was barely speaking when Kay'Shera ran over.
Leaning closer he whispered a few words into her ear, she turned to Gra'Tisk "My King…don't dishonor Hashten'Kor…everything he did wasn't just for you, it was for Sarhara…that is how we must live…"
Choking on the last words she turned to the roc lord who grinned before closing his eyes "…and that is how we must die…"
Lyle kept his distance as Kay'Shera began to cry with King Gra'Tisk shaking his head.
He looked back over to the rest of the group, in different stages of recovery, Mia was at Soren's side, Lyle looked at the earth stage, while the Sarharan King still lived, Midnight's actions had their desired effect, regardless of what anyone believes, doubt has been introduced to Sarhara, doubt that their king truly is peace and that will shift the nation in terrible ways.
Upon bringing the surviving troops back to a large meeting hall, townspeople swarmed them with questions. Several of the guard who did not fight alongside Rey Oshwa regretted it now and did their best to push the people back.
Lyle noticed Rey begin to stand and silently say "My people…" he placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head. Seeing the look in her eyes, he turned and picked up a chair, screaming as he smashed it into the ground.
The guards and people fell silent as Rey stepped forth slowly, Lyle moved to her side and she whispered to him.
"People of Myillheim…your archduchess understands all of your feelings, unrelenting anger…"
As she continued to whisper he spoke louder "Sadness, fear…but you must all show this nation that you have the will to continue. Recover from this…there are people who you don't know who have risked their lives across Anondye and Sarhara to protect us from The Midnight…now that they revealed themselves…it is up to all of us to aid them and our nation as best as it can…we will not let The Midnight get away with any of their crimes in Numengate, Sarhara or Anondye…and for any they may commit in Regalshin or Pozem…this is for Ymarkteg!"
The crowd, tension eased by Rey's words, even if they came from Lyle. To finish Rey breathed in and mustered all her strength to call out "Ymarkteg!"
The people and soldiers responded in kind as she sat back down.
The rest of the group gathered behind Rey and watched as the crowd departed and the soldiers turned, bowing to Rey Oshwa.
Later that day, the group ate in peace; Soren explained all he knew of Kanahana as a monster in more detail. The Order of Rein vampire revealed himself now, it meant that The Midnight was going to enact their grandest plan and they had to be ready to act.
Orgoth sighed "A foe from your past…and from what you've told us and what we saw…he is more powerful now that he ever was…"
Wyre slammed his hand on the table "That is what happened in Hitenticul…agents of the Midnight came to our country and revived Kanahana, they must be the ones that killed the guard…"
Leena shook her head "This is unbelievable…not only do we have to deal with Murawk and the Korgans, the Dune Guard and this crazy Kanahana guy…but the commanding faction, Midnight with their crazy agents have shown they are even tougher than the bandits and ex-military officers they've been using."
To'Eltz stopped spinning his knife "They why?"
"To sow confusion…right?" Mikel stated, quicker than he thought he should've.
To'Eltz shook his head "At first yes…but now…we know the Midnight is more powerful than the Korgan Clan and the Dune Guard…do they need them anymore?"
"No…" they turned to Soren, then Mia who continued "If anything, the Midnight will leave the two factions to their own devices and move ahead without them…I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted us to kill Murawk and Meloi before now…"
As the group continued eating, Mia noticed Kay'Shera's absence and stood, she leaned close to Soren.
"I'll be right back…"
"I can't believe I almost lost you to that monster…again…" Soren whispered.
Mia kissed his cheek "Soren…we're going to get past this…we'll face Kanahana again…together…and this time, we'll end if for good…"
"What if…"
"Kanahana may be more powerful, but we've grown much more since his death…"
The Archsage continued with a smile "You are right…as always…"
Mia kissed his cheek again and left.
Kay'Shera stood in a room with Hashten'Kor's coffin, tear running down her cheek she turned upon hearing the door open. Seeing Mia walk in she turned away and wiped the tear from her eye.
"Kay'Shera…are you…do you think you can come back from this?"
The roc knight looked over to her and nodded "I…I think I can…"
Mia smiled "I know you can…"
Lip trembling, Kay'Shera turned away "You put too much faith in me…I don't know…"
"Did you…have…?" Mia stopped as the roc knight turned to her, face stained with tears she shook her head "The scars on Hashten'Kor's face…he got those from protecting me early in my career…he was nearly killed and could never open his right eye after that…"
Mia walked up to her and placed an arm around Kay'Shera as she continued.
"He admitted to…to loving me after that…but I…"
"You aren't attracted to men…" at this, Kay'Shera turned quickly "What!? No! I-"
Mia shook her head "I have a friend like you…though she lives back in Tellius…"
"…does her family hate her…how does she deal with it?"
Mia looked at Kay'Shera and realized that, the event that caused her family to hate her must be that she told them she was only attracted to women. Hearing that after risking his life must be why Hashten'Kor wasn't too fond of Kay'Shera, mocking and ordering her around during the hearing.
"Heather is strong…loud…and very, very forward, trust me on that one." At that Kay'Shera chuckled as Mia continued "She could care less about people's opinions of her, that is why I like her, she makes and follows her own rules and is in no way ladylike."
Kay'Shera smiled, when her eyes met Mia she turned away quickly "I'm sorry…"
"Why?"
"I was…I don't know if you noticed at the time…"
"What? That you were hitting on me? You were very delicate about it, but hey, I wasn't going to blow a fuse."
Kay'Shera smiled and thought for a bit before muttering "He told me one more thing…"
Mia turned "What?"
Kay'Shera kept her eyes on Hashten'Kor's coffin and after a pause, shook her head "Never mind…personal…"
Mia nodded as Kay'Shera walked over and bowed to her commander "You were a very important person to me…your strength and determination and desire to do what you believed was right still inspires me…I'm going to continue with Soren and Mia…I'm going to help them stop the Midnight."
Bowing again she turned and walked over to Mia with a teary smile, putting an arm around her, the pair walked out.
"Kanahana…brilliant show..."
The vampire looked down to Norad Jyuugo before jumping off his stony perch.
"May I pat myself on the back? Never mind, I'll do it later."
"I almost stepped in when that Lyle character stuck that blade in your head…lucky he still needs you."
The vampire laughed before turning to Jyuugo and noticing the two people behind him "Dalton…Asai…why are you two still here?"
Dalton shrugged "No reason."
Still in a good mood from his success, Kanahana shrugged off the irritation he felt.
"Pleased you saw fit to use me as an example Kanahana."
Turning around again he extended his wings "Not a problem, Archduke."
Norad Jyuugo watched as Kanahana leapt into the air, stopping midflight and facing the former archduke of Myillheim "I'm in a good mood…so I'll let the two of you go without insult…this time."
Dalton smiled as Kanahana took off and turned to Asai "Shall we?"
Returning his smile, Asai nodded "Yes, for real this time…see you around Norad Jyuugo."
The two vanished leaving the man to himself "Now…this truly begins."
Kanahana.
The vile vampire and high ranking member of the Order of Rein from Fire Emblem: New Emissaries (Hitenticul Arc)
He is renowned in Soren's mind for kidnapping and nearly killing Mia, as a result of the battle Soren nearly dies from self-sustained injuries through the overuse of his Branded Fire.
Once burned to a cinder, the vampire has returned to do away with Soren and Mia...
On my deviantArt OC Sheet 6 has been updated to include Midnight 11, Rey Oshwa (as Archduchess and Valkyrie) as well as King Gra'Tisk and Queen Yi'Pyre of Sarhara.
OC Sheet 7 has also been added with Midnight 10, Dalton, Asai and Kanahana (OH NOES)
The Civilian Outfits 2 has also been updated with Kay'Shera's civilian outfit
One last thing: I need an opinion on this
The next two chapters are a recap (super short) and a normal chapter which would always be added together, should I add the following chapter which is a Paralouge or just hold that one till Wednesday?
Whichever you all prefer, two chapters tomorrow and chapter on Wednesday or three chapters tomorrow followed by a return to normal Saturday Schedule
Until tomorrow!