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20. Protect

Marth sighed as he walked away from the camp he and the army were in. As he walked through the forest, he started to think of a certain red-head. Over the years, the two were very close friends, and recently Marth had developed a crush on Roy. He squashed them down hard, however, afraid that Roy might not return the feelings…

The forest was vast; trees were everywhere, birds were chirping, bugs were chewing on the leaves… the wind blew on Marth's face, and the trees danced as the wind blew on them. He looked around, and he noticed how deserted the forest was; no life around. It was a peaceful walk… so far.

As he walked, he didn't notice someone behind him. His senses heightened, he turned, only to see Roy, flinching, as if he was ready to dodge an attack.

"Roy? What are you doing?" Marth asked.

Roy blushed, but he tried his hardest not to let Marth see it. "I-I saw you leave the camp. I just wanted to check up on you, that's all."

Marth blushed. Roy was checking on him…?

"Well…" Marth smiled, "I'm glad that you make sure that I'm fine."

Roy just smiled.

"Um…" Marth wanted to say something… but he doesn't know what to say. He stared at the red-head boy.

My Gods… He thought. That beautiful, spiky red hair… his smile…

"Marth?"

Marth was snapped out of his thinking. "Oh! Sorry, Roy. I was thinking about… something—"

His senses suddenly heightened, and he froze, his hand never left the hilt of his sword in his sheath.

Someone was watching them.

"Marth?" Roy asked, "Is something the mat—"

"ROY! GET DOWN!"

Before he knew it, Roy was shoved out of the way by Marth. When he fell to the ground, he heard a cry of pain.

Roy flinched. Marth.

He looked up to see Marth holding his shoulder. An arrow pierced his shoulder, blood trickling down.

"Marth?!" Roy cried in shock.

"Roy, run!" Marth cried. Suddenly, multiple men came out of the bushes and trees, their weapons out.

It was an ambush.

Roy froze, realizing the situation they're in. He didn't bring his sword with him.

Marth quickly got up, pulling out his sword, despite the pain that occurred when he did so. "Roy, run. I'll be all right."

Roy stared at him in shock. "Marth, you're hurt! You'll end up getting killed!"

Suddenly, one of the men strike, and Marth cuts him down with one swing of his sword. Roy flinched when the man's screams hit his ears.

The men began to attack, their weapons raised. Marth stood his ground despite the injury he got.

As Marth cut down the men one by one, Roy tried to stay away from the fray. He felt awful for Marth doing this as he stood there, doing nothing to help him. The screams of more dying men hit his ears once more, and pools of blood was on the forest floor.

The last man, presumably the leader, was left standing. "Heh…" He said, grinning, "You're tough fer a princeling like you…"

Marth growled, his sword raised. He then lunged at him, but the leader dodged and, with a swift attack, stabbed him in the back. Marth's yells of pain broke Roy's heart.

Marth fell to the ground, trying to get up. Blood was seeping from his back, and he began to lose his strength.

He was poisoned. The leader used a Poison weapon.

As he tried to get up, the man placed his foot on his back. "Heh, not so tough, are you?"

"Shut… up…" Marth growled bitterly.

"I heard how great of a fighter you were, but instead, all I see is a weakling… or were you holding back for that boy there?"

Marth froze. Roy. He's about to go after Roy.

Roy froze, backing away and ready to run.

"Heh, with you on the ground, I should kill him first!"

Marth gasped. "Don't you… DARE…"

Roy knew he had to do something. As the man boasted his soon-to-be victory, Roy quickly pushed him off of Marth. The men cried out as he was pushed, hitting the ground.

"Marth, now!" Roy cried. Marth, with every last bit of his strength, he got up and stabbed the man in the back. The man screamed in pain, then he sputtered and gagged before he too was killed.

Marth gasped for breath, and he then fell to the ground. Roy was scared out of his wits when this happened.

"Marth?!" He cried, helping him up. Marth, however, cried out in pain.

"I-I'm all right, Roy…" He said, trying to hold in another yelp of pain. He looked down at the boy, checking for any wounds he sustained. "Are you hurt?"

Roy shook his head. "I'm fine… but you're hurt just to protect me…"

"Roy, don't feel guilty about this…" Marth looked up at his best friend, "You're safe and unhurt, and that's what matters…"

Roy then realized; he had something that could heal him. Grabbing his satchel, he pulled out a Vulnerary and said, "Here… you need to heal up a bit."

Dripping the Vulnerary on Marth's wound, the prince gasped in pain. The injury began to heal up a bit… but Marth was still poisoned.

"Here…" Roy placed Marth on his back. Marth held onto his neck as Roy grabbed his legs.

"Roy… thank you." Marth said, smiling.

"You protected me, Marth," Roy said, "so I need to return the favor."

"I didn't just protect you, Roy; you also protected me."

Roy smiled as he walked out of the forest.

That day… the two grew closer, and they promised to protect each other.