Chapter Forty Six
Repercussions
"Hey…"
"Hey…"
The pair stood across from each other, nervously. One invited the other to the roof saying it was extremely important but now he wished he hadn't.
Beckoning her over, the pair sat along the rim, their feet dangling over the building as they looked out to the city.
"So…"
He scratched the back of his head "So…"
"Come now, whatever it is you know the two of us can get through it."
Nodding, he nervously scratched his arm until she put a hand on his shoulder "Calm down…you called me up here, if anything I should be the nervous one."
The two laughed lightly as the young man stood and motioned for her to follow.
He stood in front of her awkwardly for what seemed like an eternity before taking a huge breath and getting down on one knee.
The woman's breath caught in her throat and her eyes widened as the man took an item out of his pocket and presented it to her.
"Eminse…you are…my whole world…I never thought I could meet someone like you in my life. These last few years have not been what I was expecting once I took the job here…they've been far beyond it. I came to care for you, respect you and above all, love you."
She felt tears roll down her cheeks as she stared into the man's eyes.
"Eminse…will you…marry me?"
She always prided her intelligence above all else yet she never saw this coming. Something that, to many others was probably extremely obvious had slipped right past her.
Ignoring the tears and fighting to release her voice she nodded and took the ring "Yes Orgoth…I would love to marry you…"
The man stood, ecstatic and incapable of saying anything save for "I love you."
With the moon above them, the couple embraced and kissed atop the Euto Research Center.
Rain came down hard on Amaryllis, yet from what the scouts have reported it seemed to be raining on the entire nation and possibly their neighbors as well. An omen from the Midnight or the entire continent crying out at the black hearts infecting it's very soul. No one could tell, but none if it mattered to the woman out in the rain.
Eminse stood out on a tall hill looking out to the black nation that was now completely sealed off from its surrounding brothers.
No one who saw her could distinguish the rain that soaked her face and body from the tears that had yet to stop falling.
She looked down at the ground and closed her eyes trying to recall Orgoth's face as he spoke his last words to her and left with his noble comrades.
"Why?" Falling to her knees, she shook her head.
"Soren! Mia!" Senator Vassaan called as he approached the Troop, they along with Ike's Mercenaries finally arrived in Amaryllis long after the shattered armies and citizens of Numengate.
He was deathly worried they were trapped behind the barrier. He came to a stop and saw the grim look on Soren, Mia and their comrade's faces. The other group of strangers seemed dark as well, but not as much as Soren and Mia's Troop and definitely not as much as Soren himself.
"We…what…"
Vassaan was incapable of asking or telling anything as Soren came up to him. "Where is…Eminse?"
At that Vassaan's face showed realization as he looked over the Troop again and noticed two were not among them. Swallowing he answered quickly, Soren and Mia walked past him as Wyre asked about where they could set up. The senator led the various warriors towards Castle Anondye shortly behind Soren and Mia.
"In order to vindicate what those who returned told us, we sent a small group out to investigate the barrier around Numengate. Any attempt at forcing their way through was met with powerful resistance and massive recoil. Clearly, the barrier is impenetrable, of that there is no longer any doubt. We've decided to send out several squads of our fastest Pegasus knights to the other nations to warn their royalty and fill them in on what it is that exactly happened in Numengate."
Ike nodded "From what Wyre has told me…it seems the Queen of Sarhara has been up to quite a lot…"
Talia shook her head in agreement "I still can't believe it…that she was waging these shadow wars against anyone who got so much as curious…and for much longer than should be physically possible if she was involved with the Dune Guard."
Wyre sighed "There is also one like her in Regalshin and Pozem, The Altar's goal was to protect the peace. With The Midnight setting up within the entirety of Numengate with an army of undead soldiers, I don't think they'll side against us."
"But I'm not so sure they'll side with us." Ike added.
"Eminse." The woman looked up, a baby boy in her arms she saw Soren and Mia. She smiled "You're back…it feels like it's been days."
Soren nodded slowly "We all feel that way…"
As Eminse put the baby in his crib she stood "Is Orgoth here? He'll be-"
At his name's mention the other two seemed to flinch, Eminse noticed this and shook her head "Is…is something wrong? Did he get hurt? Soren! Mia!"
Mia stepped forward "Eminse…Orgoth…he's…"
"He's dead."
Leena walked into her room and saw Mikel sitting on the edge of the bed; he had been doing a lot more thinking than he was used to. Leena noticed this and wasn't sure how to respond to it. Mikel had been on this journey longer than she, he fought alongside Lyle since the beginning. She had to admit, she wasn't too sure about him but she saw Lyle's ferocity and determination on the battlefield, he was a stalwart comrade.
"Mikel…it wasn't Lyle."
The warrior remained silent as she continued "The Fell Lord is in control…Lyle would never-"
"I'm not sure what I should believe anymore…is anything…true?" Leena walked over and sat next to the warrior.
"There is one constant Mikel…I can't believe you of all people forgot this."
Mikel turned to face her as she smiled "My feelings for you, have not changed."
"Soren…what did you…say? Soren!" Eminse stared at the Archsage, tears forming in her eyes as he looked at her. Once their eyes met Eminse knew the horrible truth, her husband, father of the child in the crib behind her, was dead.
"How…no…why…I…he…we…"
Mia walked over and embraced the woman as she shook her head trying to come to terms with it.
Soren wanted to talk about the burial, honor his fallen comrade but it was too soon for Eminse. He didn't know what to say in this situation, he blamed himself.
"We'll help you get through this Eminse…we promise." Mia whispered as she moved to the ground along with the distraught woman as she fell to her knees and cried.
"Ike." The legend turned from Mertre as Wyre approached with Wayu close behind.
"Wyre…what can I do for you?"
"For all of us…there is a lot we need to know about each other's quests…and above all, what we are going to do now."
Ike nodded slowly "I didn't know the man…but from what Soren told me…I deeply regret that I didn't get there in time. I'm sorry."
Wyre's face didn't display any emotion; the man wasn't sure how to respond. He merely nodded and walked away with Wayu close behind as she placed an arm around the sage.
"Orkra!" The Hero turned and smiled as Vassaan approached, the senator came to a stop near her. Zihark who stood next to Orkra noted that for a man of his position he seemed very emotional right now.
"It's been too long…I'm glad to see you are alright."
Orkra nodded "I have them all to thank…but first and foremost, Zihark here. He did what I never got the chance to…"
Vassaan tilted his head to face Zihark then back to Orkra who was looking at the Trueblade.
"Zihark, I owe you…and honestly, whatever you desire I will grant it."
The trueblade smiled "No problem Vassaan."
"Should this continue are you going to go with them again, Orkra?"
The Hero looked at the Senator before nodding "I also owe Zihark and by extension Soren and Mia. I want to fight with them but also I want to return to Regalshin with them…there is much over there I left behind that I need to settle."
Vassaan sighed "Very well…"
In the Royal Hearing Chamber, Queen Talia stood with Senator Vassaan at her side. Soren and Mia's Troop entered along with Ike's Mercenaries and standing nearby was the Numengate commanders: Helena, Vargas and Istequil along with Eyre, Opstun, Teyron, Dent, Wilt, Re'Zin and the now recovered Iltar'Elm.
"Where shall we begin?" Talia asked.
Soren stepped forward "With Numengate and what happened in there…"
Talia nodded as Soren continued speaking:
"The Midnight waged a full scale war against the Citadel and the capital city of Golsaehr. The defending forces of Numengate dispatched under Istequil were overwhelmed though we received early reinforcements from what we thought was Sarhara. It turns out it was The Altar led by their Mistress, Queen Yi'Pyre of Sarhara. She told us that through their questionable means they've tried to keep the peace and have been against the Midnight for a long time. They were responsible for covering up the various attacks across Anondye, Sarhara and Numengate so as not to frighten the populace to the prospect of war. As such the Regalshin Royalty saw us as a threat; they believed we lied about the attacks because countless agents of theirs covered the crimes like Jikahn of Euto, Kraener of Myillheim and Yi'Pyre herself in Shuize."
"Upon entering the Citadel, Anondye reinforcements reached the battle and helped decisively stop the Midnight forces in Golsaehr. However the King was still in danger so we went into the tunnels below the Citadel. There we met the ringleaders of The Midnight, a man calling himself the Midnight's Apothecary, Ushnae and a man that we've been after for years, Norad Jyuugo. We fought and if not for Ike's arrival we'd all be dead…as the battle progressed we learned that their goal was to resurrect the Fell Lord and his demon army through the use of the Orichalcum. They accomplished this as the Fell Lord himself was held within our comrade Lyle's body. Apparently he discovered this and tried to kill himself…as the Fell Lord he demolished all of the Citadel and most of Golsaehr, establishing that new castle and creating the impregnable barrier that surrounds Numengate now."
"During the combat Dalton Pesh the Myillheim Archduke was killed along with 3rd level Midnight Commanders Tyse Erent and Zijo Oit. Four more Midnights were also destroyed, one of which was a resurrected Murawk. Meloi was slain by Yi'Pyre's right hand Peltzm'Jakq and the traitorous Elder Sage Shaelin was also killed. We can also confirm that the King of Numengate Althropos is dead as are his lead generals Quaid and Nexin…his advisor Mehr and the knight of Euto…Orgoth."
The room remained silent as Queen Talia nodded "Althropos…"
"One of the Fell Lord's 2nd line of disciples has been revived within Althropos' body. That is Einseek, the spirit that Zihark's group fought in the Core Archive that was housed within former Head Researcher Kolkem."
Soren stepped back as Ike stepped forward "I believe I have a lot to explain about this as well…"
Talia nodded "From what happened in Numengate, you seemed to know exactly who and what the Midnight was..."
Ike turned to the people behind him before facing the Queen "It was only Titania and I who continued the search for Alondite, the twin sacred blade of Tellius which is also Ragnell's equal. During our search we came upon a man who told us of shadow wars within Ymarkteg. His name was Jyim'Son and he was working to stop the shadow wars that The Altar was waging. He told us that there may have been another force within Ymarkteg, buried deep beneath lies and falsehoods from countless different sources but his focus was on the Altar. We needed to learn more about the Midnight so he gave us something to study…"
Ike turned as Mertre handed him a bundle, opening it Ike revealed the Fell Lord's Bow: Yewfelle.
"Teyron only parted with Yewfelle because Jyim'Son came to him and told him of Telray's visit and his subconscious attempt to steer Jyim'Son towards darkness. Knowing this Teyron easily determined that of all the disciples only the Blood Sun was unwilling to follow the footsteps of the weapon. We didn't know enough about its ancient history and couldn't risk knocking over all the hives within Ymarkteg, awakening people we were in no position to deal with. That is when I remembered someone who knows more about ancient times than anyone else…however it required me returning to Tellius. I left Titania to regroup the Mercenaries and sent them out to Zatuo while I returned to Tellius on my own where I found the Branded Ty."
Soren's eyes widened, he remembered the old Branded that was living in Zatuo had said he would return to Tellius. The Archsage was glad despite everything that the man returned to his home.
"He had been in this world longer than anyone I knew and he traveled for much longer than anyone before he settled on Zatuo. I asked him if he knew anything about Ymarkteg, specifically of this Fell Lord. Ty had indeed passed through Ymarkteg during the years of the Golden Peace's solidification. At that time there was still some conflict over what powers the kingdoms would have if any over their neighbors. He learned of the country's history during his stay and told me of the Dark Days of War, The Warring Ages and the Vanguard that killed The Fell Lord's students using weapons of opposite origin to the Fell Lord's Arms. These weapons were the very ones we encountered on Zatuo: Gore Eye, Ijhalma, Singularity and Dyeshein. He said that history saw the Fell Lord's Arms destroyed by the Vanguard and the Vanguards four weapons were banished to prevent people from misusing their powers…unfortunate given what happened in Benkanan. However I showed Ty that I possessed Yewfelle which he determined was an ordinary weapon capable of breaking…the black essence of the Fell Lord was not present within the weapon. I had to return to Zatuo and further examine Ijhalma, Dyeshein and the remains of Singularity; however I decided to recruit some more mercenaries before I left."
Ike gestured to Rhys, Nephenee, Heather and Volke.
"Ty came along and realistically I needed him…the weapons that once belonged to Zijo Oit and the Demon Triad had a black essence within them. They were sentient and were what drove Yakaan, Heydhar and Unotch to become the heartless demons they were while only enhancing Zijo Oit's bloodlust. We could only guess that these weapons having clashed with Helswath, Gungnir, Yewfelle, Goetia and Balmung must have absorbed some of the Fell Lord's essence. One last thing that we have yet to put as much time into learning was the original names given to the weapons...being a weapon of peace the name Gore Eye didn't seem to fit but we decided it wasn't vital with everything else we've learned. With our new well of knowledge we returned to Ymarkteg with Mertre and Teiaya in tow."
The legend once again gestured to the man and woman on his side.
"I sought out Jyim'Son again but by that time he was dead and a lot of bad things have happened here. More than three fourths of the Western Archive was burned to the ground and we heard that the Euto Research Center was gone and a group of terrorists fled Regalshin. We sought out Teyron again and he confirmed that the weapons of the Fell Lord were split into two, the physical body and the shadow body, once both fuse the weapon regains its power and darkness that it possessed from the Dark Days of War. We needed to find the Midnight and stop them from whatever they were planning; the power they sought could easily destroy Ymarkteg. It was around this time that we heard of a battle at the Anondye / Pozem border…in Sarhara we decided to make our way to Anondye when we came across a man trying to escape from Treige."
Ike pointed to the worn Iltar'Elm who nodded "I had no idea who he was at the time…but he allowed me to escape from my pursuers who were on Kino's orders to kill me…I owe him my life…"
"We captured one of the men and thanks to Volke's…intelligence gathering…we learned that the battle at the border was an Altar shadow war…though we couldn't understand why the Altar would risk open war between Pozem and Anondye when their goal is to preserve peace. We realized that Jikahn was being manipulated by a Midnight commander into fighting against the Altar he supposedly served."
"Ushnae?" Mia asked to which Ike shook his head "The name we were given was Kino."
Soren turned to Ike "Then what he told us was true…"
"Double agent." Volke stated curtly to which Ike agreed.
"We needed to find this Kino so we went to Corelis to see if anyone there knew of Kino's whereabouts. We didn't find much but someone said that he was appointed to the Treige Border Keep to replace another man named Ottenz not too long ago. Seeing as how Kino was nowhere near Treige when we were there we came through Amaryllis which was in frenzy over a war that had apparently started in Numengate."
"That is when you went to Numengate and found Soren and Mia's Troop." Talia added to which Ike nodded.
Teyron turned to Opstun who looked oddly at the Sarharan Elder Sage "How did you open Yewfelle's chest?"
"Freen. I asked for his help and he willingly gave it with little question. Janie can confirm that."
The Elder Mage seemed surprised as Opstun and Teyron turned to her, she nodded "Yeah, the time matches up to when he left for Sarhara…that was so long ago I didn't think it was involved with what was going on now."
"So now that we are all on the same page, where we go from here is fairly obvious." Vassaan spoke.
"We must find a way to reenter Numengate and destroy the Midnight completely…as well as learn the identities of Duke and Hierarch to remove them from power."
Mia seemed surprised "Can we do that? Yi'Pyre is Queen of Sarhara, who knows how high up the other two are."
Vassaan nodded "We can't as the Nation of Anondye but you are all independent…you can do what you must to protect Ymarkteg. As long as Yi'Pyre is Queen and Duke and Hierarch remain in power even after we deal with The Midnight, there will never be true peace."
"Excuse me…there is something I'd like to add."
Everyone in the chamber turned to Eien who stood near Soren and Mia "My name is Eien…and to sum it up…all that is happening is because of me."
"Norad Jyuugo…Einseek…Asai Versha…Kanahana…Ushnae…Kino…"
The Midnight Commanders kneeled as the Fell Lord walked past them and sat in his throne. "We must prepare…"
Jyuugo stood "Yes…the four new Orichalcum have begun draining Ymarkteg's power…soon you will be able to wield the continent's might."
The Fell Lord smiled "Returning Ymarkteg to war…with everything that happened it seems far too difficult…so let's just be done with this land and build another…"
Kanahana smiled "Brilliant my Fell Lord."
The Fell Lord turned as the Midnight Apothecary walked towards him with Midnight 2 close behind "Midnight 1 is operational."
"Perfect…now all we need is the perfect source for Midnight 12."
As his commanders stood they broke apart and headed for their keeps in the four surrounding nations.
The Fell Lord walked out to his balcony overlooking what was Golsaehr, now covered in undead soldiers. Once the barrier was set in they began killing the entire populace, nearly all of Numengate's civilians were now undead soldiers at his beck and call.
The Fell Lord smiled, his old body was slowly returning, now with new more fearsome robes, the man was beginning to look less like Lyle. A visible twitch came from his left eye "Stop…" he muttered angrily.
"You've ruined enough…"
The Fell Lord looked down to his right hand and clenched it tightly before turning and returning to his throne room.
Eien finished reciting the story about the Dark Days of War and the Warring Ages as well as the fates of The Hermit, Ulmeihn, Ushnae and Nias.
"When the Midnight Apothecary's robe came off…he looked just like a much older Nias…that definitely was Ushnae but I've yet to see Ulmeihn or the Hermit though Soren and Mia are adamant they've met them before…"
Talia rubbed her temples "You've been around since then…and the legendary Vanguard was…this is unbelievable and yet you are the proof."
Eien sighed "I'm sorry…this is all my fault…if I had done things better in the past-"
Ike shook his head "Nothing we can do about the past…we have to focus on the here and now as well as what is to come should we fail."
"Actually…there is one more thing that concerns me…" Soren stated, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Yi'Pyre is the Mistress…of that we are certain, we even have confirmation that Meloi recognized her…but wouldn't that make her far older than she actually appears?"
Eien sighed "One possible explanation would be that she possesses some level of True Elder magic that prolongs her life. Though the populace would surely notice the Queen remaining visibly the same through multiple monarchies…I could try to detect something with my magic but we'd need to be close to her. Though Duke and Hierarch might work as well, assuming they have also been living long lives."
"That leaves one more thing." Vassaan began "The four lights…one has been confirmed to be shooting up from within a forest to the east of Malsean. We've sent an advance group to explore the area and see what they can learn about it…chances are they will echo Kino's words. Some kind of structure is there, powered by an Orichalcum that is keeping the barrier around Numengate impenetrable."
Soren turned to the Troop and Mercenaries "As much as I hate to act off of information received from Kino of all people; that is where we have to go. We need to regain entry into Numengate and to do so those four structures must be destroyed. "
Ike grinned "Much easier said than done…but that is always the case. Either way we best prepare for what we're about to do…"
"We've got to split up into four groups to tackle all the locations at the same time, but what of The Fell Lord's threat to invade the other nations with his undead army?"
Mia turned to Vassaan and Talia as she spoke, the Queen sighed "I'm going to try to get the Kings and Queens of the other nations to agree to an alliance. We must bring our armies together for what may be the last time so we can strike at the Midnight when the time comes."
The senator spoke up again "The advance forces headed for the structure here lack a reliable scientific mind. With the Euto Research Center gone and most the researchers dead or missing the best we could do was send word to the independent researchers in Belea to the west.
Soren looked down "Eminse would…"
"I believe that is everything…we must hurry to release a rallying call but we'll likely be rebuked if Yi'Pyre, Duke and Hierarch have anything to say about it…I'm very sorry to drop all of this on you but please..."
Vassaan would normally be against his Queen asking for help and all but bowing to the foreigners but he trusted them just as much as she did.
As the groups filed out of the Hearing Chamber to prepare for departure Uhnie grabbed a man by the collar.
He turned to face her as Shinon approached them "Is everything alright Uhnie?"
"You're Volke? The Fireman?"
With all his experience Shinon could not read Volke's face, then again, who could?
"What if I am?"
Uhnie continued to stare at him before releasing his collar. She didn't know what to say, he was everything she expected as an assassin but as a man she wasn't sure what he was.
"Never mind."
Volke turned and walked away as Uhnie turned to Shinon "Are you alright?" The marksman asked.
"I-"
Uhnie turned as a knife flew straight at her; quickly she brought hers up to deflect it and was prepared to fight as Shinon brought out Gore Eye. The two were looking at Volke who had clearly thrown the knife, despite the mask covering the lower half of his face, he seemed to be…approving.
Nodding the assassin walked away, Shinon turned to Uhnie who seemed to be on the verge of tears. She bowed in Volke's direction before sighing and turning to Shinon with a smile.
"So what do you think of them?" Mist asked as she looked through her gear.
"Soren and Mia's gang? They seem pretty strong, especially that Mikel fellow, he acts a lot like me so I like him."
Mist turned to Boyd "A lot like you? I hope not, one of you is too much as it is."
Boyd laughed and turned upon seeing Mikel and Leena at the doorway "Hey Boyd."
The Reaver nodded to the Warrior "May not be my place but…are you hanging in there?"
Mikel sighed "As much as I can…"
Mist looked at Leena "You taking care of him?"
The mercenary nodded "Of course, someone has to."
Mist looked to Boyd then back to Leena "I know that situation all too well."
The two smiled at each other before laughing lightly to Mikel and Boyd's confusion.
"Teiaya." The man turned to see Leah and Zihark approaching "Good to see you again."
The Edge Sorcerer grunted as Zihark crossed his arms "Never imagined you'd come along. I figured you were done with fighting after the Zatuo Rebellion."
Teiaya grinned "You've been through what may as well be five wars maybe more…I can't say I'm tired of fighting with someone like you continuing the battle."
Zihark shrugged "If I had a choice I would've sat one or two out."
Teiaya laughed as Leah nodded in agreement "Is the vampire war one you'd drop?"
"Like a broken sword." The three continued to laugh; the time was now because from here death to any of them was highly likely.
Heather sat down watching Nephenee and Wayu training with each other, the heavy rains lightened up to a bearable drizzle. The whisper turned as Wyre sat next to her "You fought with Ike and them before right?" Heather asked.
The Thunder Sage nodded "Not as long as you though…"
The whisper shrugged "I only fought in the Crimea Rebellion, the war against Begnion and if you could count the Goddess' zealots…"
Wyre watched as Nephenee sent Wayu's shield and spear flying with little effort.
"Amazing…I've been fighting alongside Wayu for so long…I've never known a simple diver could become such a warrior but this Nephenee…"
"The stories are not at all exaggerated my good sir." Heather spoke. "Nephenee was a simple farm girl who learned through the Mad King's War that she is a natural with a spear."
As Wayu's weapon hit the ground again Wyre nodded "Clearly…"
"If I can be honest Wyre, I think you've got more place to be here than me…the only reason I came along was cause I didn't want to be separate from Nephenee…that simple."
Wyre smiled "I understand…but I saw you in that fight, we need all the help we can get for what's to come."
"Hey, Heather!"
The whisper and sage turned as Zey'Yu and Kay'Shera approached, "What up?"
"Zey'Yu wants to spar with you…she was really impressed by your movements during the last battle." Kay'Shera stated.
"Oh you were watching me? Sorry, taken."
Zey'Yu laughed, joined shortly by Heather before stating "Same here, so, come on!"
Heather nodded and waved to Wyre before walking off with Zey'Yu. Kay'Shera sighed "We won't have this peace any time soon…will we?"
Wyre shook his head "Unfortunately…I don't think so…"
"Hey Gatrie! What are you doing?" The Marshall turned to Janie who had her arms crossed "Nothing!"
"Yeah right, you were totally in the middle of skirt chasing."
Gatrie laughed "What can I say? Some things never go away, well Janie, what are you doing here?"
The Elder Mage shrugged "Not much, just keeping my mind off things, especially Opstun and Teyron…"
"You're teachers?" Gatrie asked to which Janie nodded "With Ilan, Shaelin and Freen gone they're going to be counting on me to do much more…I don't think I'm ready."
Gatrie shook his head "I may be a womanizer but what I say now is completely honest…I saw you, hell, I fought with you in Numengate. You have the strength, the ability, anything they entrust to you, I know you can pull it off."
Janie smiled as Gatrie continued "And if you need some big strong arms to rest in when it's too much…"
The pair began laughing at that, maybe a little harder than they intended.
Rhogam and Tyazaer walked with Fistivus and Lune, the Reaver sighed "I don't know what we'll do with the two of you…you can't cover four groups it is literally impossible."
Fistivus nodded "Maybe Ike should've brought back those merchants he quested with…"
Tyazaer shook her head "If Soren's stories about Aimee are completely true then I can see why he didn't consider it."
"I would have to agree with that." The four turned to see Rhys and Titania approaching, the Saint who spoke nodded to them with a smile.
Lune tilted her head "Soren told us you declined to come with the Mercenaries when they left for Thyremog all those years ago."
Rhys nodded as Rhogam finished "What changed?"
The saint gestured at himself "I did…simple as that…after they left I spent a while questioning my decision. I know that Ike wished me the best and was not angry with me…but I couldn't help it. I eventually accepted my choice and when Ike returned…it felt like…a second chance."
Titania nodded "We couldn't be happier to have him along; he is the best healer that I've ever known."
"Quite the endorsement." Tyazaer added as Rhys chuckled "Now I can't slack off…not that I was intending to!" He added quickly as Rhogam laughed "No worries Rhys, we all have a decent sense of humor, you'll do alright."
The group came to a sudden halt as Fistivus and Lune yelled something completely inaudible.
Extremely worried, Titania spoke "Are you two alright?"
"Where is Soren!?" They both asked quickly.
Eien watched as Opstun and Teyron spoke amongst themselves. The Elder Sages took it as their own mission to safeguard the weapons she thought she had destroyed all those years ago. She wanted to thank them but it was her fault the task fell to them, she couldn't destroy the Fell Lord's arms, couldn't end their evil and the same evil from the Dark Days of War now threatened the Golden Peace of Ymarkteg.
"It isn't your fault."
She turned to see Ranulf "I can practically hear your internal struggle apothecary."
"It's Eien."
"I thought it was just a designation?"
She shook her head "I'm keeping it…it's my name now…I'll not fight as the Vanguard from legend but as a woman with a name people can put their trust in."
Ranulf smiled "I like the sound of that."
"From what I've heard though, you are all probably legends back home, right?"
Ranulf shrugged "I'm the legendary right hand to Skrimir who fought the most powerful beorc in existence and survived. In other words, I'm most renowned for loosing battles and staying alive."
Eien smiled "The Black Knight…and…what was his name?"
At the same time they both said "Zelgius."
"In truth…hearing the dead can be brought back to life, I'd like to fight him again. I feel I've grown strong enough in these last few years…but Zelgius was a great man in many ways, I wouldn't wish this life on him."
Eien turned to see the Elder Sages leaving "Thank you for talking to me Ranulf."
The Laguz tilted his head "Did I say anything special?"
She shook her head "No…and that is why…thanks."
To'Eltz watched Cadeera and Tyse Erent; the vampire was immensely powerful once he let his rage go. To'Eltz was similar in that way, in battle he became fearless and bloodthirsty. However, seeing someone who can control it was extremely impressive.
The vampire excused himself and walked over to the Trickster "Well?"
"I just want to know how you can control your rage…you were in such a dark place when you fought Kanahana yet you were still aware…"
Tyse Erent smiled "You lose yourself and worry you may injure a comrade?"
To'Eltz shook his head "I've never had comrades before now."
"What of Jyim'Son?"
To'Eltz turned away "I couldn't protect my friend…my partner. I rage in battle but I feel something in the back of my head that just demands more blood."
Tyse nodded "I know exactly what you mean…I replaced the voice with another…"
Tyse turned to see Cadeera who was smiling at him; To'Eltz followed his gaze as Tyse spoke "Her love…"
"A vampire and a human…sounds like a bad-"
Tyse turned back to him "There are practically no vampires left…it was either die alone or find love. I was all for dying alone until I met Cadeera. She knew what I was, I told her what I did while I served the Order of Rein, she saw me lose control and kill innocent people but-"
"But I never stopped caring for him…I wanted to help him, at first I thought it was my duty…but I quickly learned it was just me…I wanted to help him for me…"
The pair turned as Cadeera stopped next to them and Tyse placed his arm around her "I'm not telling you to find love To'Eltz…but find something you can look to in your darkest hour."
The trickster nodded before standing and bowing, leaving the couple behind.
"I see…"
Vassaan closed his eyes; his fist came out of the wall it tore into. Orkra grabbed it and examined the cuts and bruises "We've got to get that-"
"Orkra…now is not the time to worry about me…I can't believe Yushez tried to…"
"I'm fine Vassaan…thanks to Zihark…he killed Yushez, made him pay, he protected me…I can't thank him enough for it."
Vassaan turned to her, his thoughts of Yushez replaced with Zihark "Do you love him?"
Orkra took a step back "Hey! Not cool!"
"I'm your brother I should know who my sister is pining for."
She shook her head at Vassaan's smile "One second you were raging for blood now you are joking about my love life?"
Vassaan sighed "I'm sorry, I just-"
"No, no, keep going…I'm being honest here I don't want to talk about Yushez anymore."
Vassaan nodded as his sister turned away "So…then…Zihark?"
"I don't know…he-"
"Don't lie to your brother." Vassaan walked over to Orkra and put an arm around her "Look, you are a grown woman, you do whatever you want…just know that I'll be there for you, I care for you sis."
She nodded "Always good to know…bro…"
The siblings laughed, even their blank all seeing eyes were joyful in this brief moment.
"Ike…let me see…"
The legend moved his cape aside to bare his right arm. Mertre shook her head, from the elbow down; the skin was pure black right up to the ends of his fingertips. Ike struggled to clench his hand into a fist.
"Ike…"
He looked at her and smiled "I'm alright Mertre…I've been doing well with my left arm…"
"With what we are about to go into…I'd rather you were using your dominant hand…"
Ike nodded "I understand Mertre…I really do…but when the time comes this injury will be worth it."
The pair looked over to a large case in the corner of the room that seemed to radiate a dark presence.
"I'll be next to you Ike…no matter what…always…"
The man smiled as he neared her only for the door to open "Hmm…this is hilariously ironic."
Ike sighed as he faced Soren and Mia. Mertre was blushing and laughing as Ike shook his head "Ironic indeed…"
Soren eyes fell to Ike's exposed black arm, the light moment left his mind as he neared Ike. The legend noticed that he didn't cover his arm "Soren, I-"
"What the hell is this?" Soren yelled, Mia came up to him "Soren, calm down, I'm sure Ike has an explanation."
The legend stood "Ike, no…"
He turned to Mertre "I have to…I'm sorry I hid this from you Soren, but you have to understand. If we are to defeat the Midnight I need this…"
He gestured to his black arm before moving over to the chest and opening it. Clenching his teeth he moved his black arm and grabbed something from the chest.
Lifting it out, Soren recognized the vile blade, the same weapon that took hold of a dying man's body and incinerated him down to the bone.
"Dyeshein."
Next and final arc: Ymarkteg
Weekly updates will resume late December to early January 2014, once they begin its a straight shot to the finale.
Thanks for everyone who has stuck with the story this far and I hope to resume updating and bringing you the final arc as soon as possible.
To those who've been here since Fire Emblem: New Emissaries, I thank you many times over. Fire Emblem: New Emissaries was my first true fan fiction that I wrote out of desire and planning.
I loved it at the time and after finally completing it I couldn't be any happier. However, it's been years since I wrote it and my following fan fictions like the Kamen Rider VS, Second War and Define Christmas have just felt better. Because of that I have a "Redux" version of FENE being planned out, same story but more fleshed out details and better writing, the goal is to bring that original story to the level of this one. I look forward to revisiting it in the future, though Ymarkteg must conclude first.
Finally onto my thank yous, first for all the people who have left reviews this far: PINKDIAMOND4000, Le little Lemilly, Cormag Ravenstaff, Gunlord500 and Fireminer
Next for everyone who has added the story to their favorites: Gingalain, Le little Lemilly, PINKDIAMOND4000 and SilverZero0
And to round it all out all the people who added the story to their story alerts: Cormag Ravenstaff, Gingalain, Le little Lemilly, Mariko Midori, PINKDIAMOND4000 and PestilenceIncarnate
Until I return with the finale! Eienias20 out!