6/10/2014

O. M. G.

Did you see that Xenoblade Chronicles X gameplay? That game is even more stunning than its predecessor and the story looks to deliver just as well!

Zelda killin fools in Hyrule Warriors was rad! What? Midna? Meh.

Mii Fighters and Palutena in Smash!? Wicked!

Overall, Nintendo really killed it with all their stuff as well as teasing a new StarFox.

Though I have to say I am dissapointed Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem did not appear in any way, shape or form...

But that Wii U Zelda game was...what adjective have I not used yet? Got it! Fantastic!

Bravo Nintendo. Bravo.

Now to continue Cerulean Gold with one of my favorite chapters...though the game equivalent: Blood Contract. On Hard. Without Nolan, Leonardo or Edward...or Aran...yeah...forget that.

Warm Contact

"That's something alright…not a lot…but still."

Heather narrowed her eyes before jumping from one tree to another, as she got higher she continued to look to Castle Nox.

The Daein army was within preparing for the oncoming attack from the Apostle's forces. As she calculated everything before her she realized that their numbers were far too small to put on a strong defense, yet they were still determined to fight.

"Are they all suicidal? Is their belief in this…Silver Haired Maiden really that strong? Geez…I almost feel sorry for em."

After making a few more rounds and being happy with what she saw she turned and began heading back.

"Marcia, you're not gonna-"

The rogue came to a stop, there was a Pegasus waiting for her but it wasn't Marcia's.

"Uh…Tanith?"

The Falco Knight nodded "You ready to head back?"

Raising an eyebrow the rogue shrugged and mounted the steed, before long they were airborne and headed for the Apostle's camp.

Heather: What happened to Marcia? Why are you here?

Tanith: There was something I wanted to clarify.

Heather: And you think I can help?

Tanith: I know you can.

The Falco Knight turned to face her, but said nothing. Heather scratched the back of her head and looked away "So…what is it?"

"I was talking with Sigrun a while ago and she told me that you said I have a beautiful angry face."

"Why would she tell you that?" Heather stated, not sure where the brown haired woman was going with this.

Instead of answering all Tanith did was chuckle "You are indeed, just like me."

"Just like…you?"

"Whoever she is, you know better than to let her get away."

As the Pegasus dipped back down and landed at the camp Heather nodded slowly as the pair dismounted with Tanith stating "You do know what I'm saying, right?"

Seeing her nod Tanith grinned "Now I believe you have a report to give."

"Really? She flew out there to take your place? Why?"

Marcia shrugged at Mia's question "I'm not sure, Heather didn't say anything about it so it was most likely just her decision."

"Odd…well, either way when they get back we'll be getting ready to move into the castle, right?"

"Where we might face our old friends." Nephenee stated as she approached the pair "I'm very worried about that…"

Mia nodded "There is not much else we can do…or at least, there isn't much the Daein army is allowing us to do, not if they keep attacking us like they did before."

As Nephenee sneezed another voice joined them "I take it one who frequents a farm isn't too fond of the cold?"

The Halberd turned to Heather who approached with a smile "You sure you'll be fine?"

Nephenee nodded slowly "Not my first visit to Daein."

"Though it is colder than it was then." Mia pointed out.

Moving forward, Marcia turned Heather to face her "So, what did Tanith want?"

Glancing about, Heather noticed Mia was interested as well though Nephenee was looking away "Just a chat, nothing major."

Marcia backed away "Really? That's it?"

"Aside from that, how did the enemy look?" Mia added as Marcia sighed in disappointment.

"Not much, I gave my numbers to Ike and them; they're just as confused as I am. With the small troops they have stationed at Nox we would wash over them in a few hours once we breach the inner gates…even if they fought back with the same fervor we've been seeing, their numbers just wouldn't hold up."

"They really should just surrender and stand aside." Marcia added to which Mia nodded.

The rogue looked up to see Nephenee, still looking away. At the same time Mia glanced at Heather, looking at the expression she was giving her best friend. It was full of concern and even a hint of sadness.

"I'm going to see what Boss is planning for us, wanna come along Marcia? Might bump into Tanith."

Marcia nodded "Yes! Let's go! I'm nosy!"

They laughed as they walked away, Mia casting a quick look back as Heather approached Nephenee and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Neph."

"Heather…what's goin on?"

Hearing the Halberd's nervous chuckle, Heather sighed "Neph, I'm sorry if I did or said somethin to make you uncomfortable and selfish as it may be, I just want to be able to talk to you like before."

Nephenee turned around fully to see Heather as she continued "We're really close right? I want to stay like that…but I feel we can't with you turnin away from me all the time…"

"Heather…it's…complicated…"

The rogue groaned and looked up at the sky before facing Nephenee again "Then tell me what's up! I want to help you in any way I can, you know I do."

"I know…I just…can't…"

"Why!?"

"I can't…"

Heather approached the Halberd and put her arms on her shoulders, giving her a quick shake she asked again "Why?"

Nephenee swallowed and looked up, eyes meeting "Because…you're important…to me…"

Hearing that, Heather couldn't help but smile as she released Nephenee "You're important to me too…very important Nephenee, remember that…and sorry again…I worry about you too easily…"

After a few short moments of keeping their eyes on each other, Heather moved in again and embraced the Halberd. Nephenee felt herself flush, she could swear her whole face was burning red and she felt immensely warm despite the cold.

"There are so many things I want to say to you…Heather…I just…I'm just not as strong as you…"

Heather felt herself grow warm as Nephenee returned to hug.

"Neph…if only I knew when the right time to say it was…though maybe it'll come to me…"

Castle Nox

With Ike, Soren and Ranulf at the gates, the Laguz forces charged through and began heading for the enemy lines. Bolts from the Daein ballistae filled the air and countless Laguz soldiers fell. However, the sheer amount of Laguz warriors, combined with their speed where able to outmaneuver the ballistae as they reloaded, crashing against Daein's armed

As the front line of defense was being contested, Hawks flew in and began striking the forces in the back, trying to get at the fire sages and healers while avoiding Daein's archers.

Ike spun Ragnell and turned to the Mercenaries "The faster we can force them to surrender, the better for all of us!"

As they nodded Ike continued "No quarter! We do what they force us to!"

Charging forward the Daein forces were now being pushed back by the mighty Greil Mercenaries, striking among the Laguz.

"On your left!" Lethe yelled to Nephenee. The Halberd fell aside as Lethe cut off Volug, the two began tussling and growling at each other with the latter speaking in the ancient language.

"Be silent Wolf! All there is for us is battle!"

Crying out in roars and howls the Laguz crashed against each other again.

"There! Cover me!" Edward called, spinning his blade and jumping down from the second floor of the castle.

"On it!" Leonardo called out as he pulled out his bow.

As Edward charged forward a pink haired Falco Knight flew past him and struck his weapon, Leonardo pulled back on his bow only to notice several bolts fly his way.

Ducking the man peered out to see a green haired Sniper still trained on the area around him.

"So this is how it's going to be."

"Please, don't make me fight you."

Zihark stated, blade pointed at a tiger that only responded in a massive roar. Before it could charge a woman dropped in, her blade striking Zihark's "I got this, go on ahead!"

Growling in response the tiger took off, Zihark looked to Mia before him as she spoke. "Hey Z."

Smiling at his nickname he nodded "Mia."

"Sorry about this…"

"There is nothing to be sorry about."

Despite the situation Mia chuckled "Not now, I'm thinking about how badly I beat you during the Mad King's war. You were complaining about those bruises for days!"

Zihark chuckled as well "I'm stronger now."

Going silent the woman before him nodded "So am I.

"Back off!"

"Not going to happen!" Two men roared, axes slamming against each other. Oscar rode in to aid Boyd against the older Warrior he faced only for a blue armored knight to ride by and stop his lance with her own.

"Nolan! Move back!"

"I'm not letting him gain more ground Fiona, we hold out here!"

Despite the situation the woman from Marado nodded "Very well." Turning to Oscar she broke away from him "Then we fight."

Nodding Oscar spun his lance "Very well, milady."

As Ilyana and Soren's magic shot for the top of Castle Nox, Micaiah swung her arm causing a brilliant flash to dissipate the attacks.

Sothe looked over the battles below, seeing Nolan fighting Boyd, Zihark and Mia clashing as well as Fiona and Oscar coming to blows was like something out of a nightmare. He even saw Brom all but drop his weapon as he saw Meg among the Daein forces.

Looking up he noticed Jill and Haar, neither capable of striking each other they instead turned away and focused their efforts on other enemies.

"This is all wrong." He muttered.

Micaiah, knowing that literally everything was at stake, nodded "Everything that has been happening…is wrong."

"We meet as enemies again…truly…this is ironic…yet fitting."

Ike brought up Ragnell as Tauroneo spun his Silver Lance, the Hero shook his head "Tauroneo…I asked you to explain the situation to Micaiah and Sothe…I hoped that you would-"

"I can't change what is happening…not matter what I say, nothing will change."

Ike closed his eyes and nodded "Then we fight."

"Zihark! I'll help you out!"

Zihark turned to see Edward leap up from behind Mia "Edward! Wait!"

As his blade swung, Heather slid in and stopped it with her dagger, kicking her leg up she struck Edward across the face causing him to stumble back.

Mia broke away from Zihark and moved over to Heather "I knew he was there."

"Didn't look it."

The two exchanged looks before launching into battle again.

"Gatrie!" The General groaned in pain as a light spell from the enemy bishop, Laura, struck him.

Seeing an enemy Halberd charging in, Nephenee launched forward and stopped his lance with her shield.

"I'm not letting you through!"

"I wasn't expecting you to! We're soldiers of two armies at war! We have to fight!"

Breaking away Nephenee looked at the man in black armor before her "You're…militia."

He gave her a questioning look "How can you tell?"

"I was the same."

He shook his head "Funny, I can't see that at all…you are battle hardened…clearly, you've been through more than me…however, I'll always fight for my nation, to return it to how it once was, no matter what."

Nephenee nodded "The same goes for me. My name's Nephenee, you?"

"Aran."

As the combat continued, Zihark found himself on the ground, a cut along the back of his right leg and his left side.

Mia pointed her blade at him as Heather leapt aside from Edward's swing.

"Zihark!"

The Daein Swordmaster held his hand out, stopping Edward before looking at Mia.

"We're no longer on the same side, Mia. Despite what we know-"

"But there are things we know…we're friends, Z."

Mia sheathed her blade and glanced at Heather and Edward, despite her instincts the rogue put her dagger away.

"I don't understand why you all continue to fight…but I can't kill you…you know I can't and I know you can't strike me."

Zihark coughed "We're fighting for Daein just like you fight for Crimea. It's our home…we'd never abandon it."

Heather sighed "I understand that but what I don't get is why the lot of you are fighting at all. This started as a war between Gallia, Pheonicis, Kilvas and Begnion…we had no interest in draggin Crimea or Daein into it yet you all came of your own volition to aid your enemy! Why?"

Edward moved past them, sheathing his blade and helping Zihark up "It's complicated."

Mia looked at Zihark "Z. You know you can trust me."

The man from Daein smiled "I know I can…it's not you or Crimea that has me so worried…believe me…"

"Then what is it?" Heather stated only for the combat and conversation to be silenced by a massive roar that shook all of Nox.

The group looked up as a massive Black Dragon appeared and began charging up an attack.

"We gotta go!" Heather yelled, grabbing Mia and taking off as Edward did the same with Zihark.

A giant beam shot out from the dragon across the center of the Nox plaza, the beam seared right through the ground leaving a fault in its wake before crashing against the castle's east wall and obliterating it.

A second shot struck several of the keeps along the wall, causing them to crash to the ground below in countless pieces.

"What in tarnation?" Nephenee stated as she stood up.

"Aran!" Turning the Halberd spotted her opponent, his body stuck under some rubble.

Quickly Nephenee helped Laura lift so Aran could crawl out. "Why did you push me?" Nephenee stated as she dropped the rubble.

Aran shook his head "Because…there is no need for bloodshed."

"Then why continue this fight?"

Aran smiled sadly as Laura came to his side and healed him "I wish I knew."

At Ike's command the army filed out of Castle Nox, unknown to them, Nailah and Rafiel slipped past the combat and reached Micaiah.

Castle Nox Exterior

Heather spotted Ike speaking with Elincia and the dragon she briefly met back in Goldoa, Ena.

Apparently they were the ones that brought the battle to a halt; the rogue wondered why but thought about Mia and Zihark's battle. If she could stop the friends from fighting again, she would.

"Neph! You alright!?" Heather stated, running over to the Halberd that was covered in dirt and rubble. Nephenee couldn't help but smile as Heather tried to dust her armor "What happened?"

"I was fightin near one of the keeps. Coulda been worse if one of the Daein didn't push me out of the way."

Heather looked up at her "Some guy did that?"

Nephenee nodded "Yeah…I found it odd too."

Smiling Heather sighed "Well, I guess I should go thank him. I wasn't there to watch out for you…I'm glad someone did though."

Nephenee continued to stare at Heather "You don't have to watch-"

"I know. I know you can take care of yourself I just…I just want to make sure you're alright…for my own peace of mind I guess."

Heather looked back at Nephenee and smiled again "Even dirty, the beauty of your face still shines through."

Nephenee laughed and shook her head, ignoring her blush "I know yer makin that up."

Heather joined her in laughing "It's the truth…you're beautiful."

As they fell silent, Nephenee looked away "You…you're beautiful too…" she murmured.

Heather tilted her head and leaned in "Sorry Neph…did you say somethin? About me?"

"Alright everyone! Back to camp! We're going to try to find a peaceful resolution one last time! While not my idea we have to hope that Daein will understand." The immediate mercenaries and members of the army nodded to Ike before turning and heading back to the Central Camp.

Nephenee took one step forward before several thoughts came to her mind, shaking her head she moved back and reached out, taking Heather's hand in her own. Exchanging smiles, the pair returned to camp arm in arm.

Lying on her bed, Nephenee couldn't help but smile. She spent the rest of the night with Heather, something she hadn't done in a while out of fear. They returned to camp to eat and talk of days gone by. Not once did either mention the uncomfortable situations they had found themselves in and Nephenee was glad about that. She felt silly for turning Heather away out of fear of something she didn't understand.

She thought back to what Mia had told her once she explained her conflicted feelings.

Mia: So…just to sum it up…you've fallen for another woman?

Nephenee: Y-yeah…

Mia: Well…I can honestly say I didn't see that coming.

Nephenee: Are you-

"Don't you dare ask what I think you're about to ask!" the swordmaster yelled "Your my best friend Neph and I'm not going to turn on you like that…look, I'm just saying I didn't expect it not that I don't like it or anything…I'm just honestly relieved that you found someone you care about…and I imagine this person cares about you, right?"

Nephenee nodded "I'm pretty sure she does…she likes spending time with me and all that I told you about…"

"I imagine she hasn't…told you of if she has feelings for you?"

Nephenee shook her head "I…think she might…but…I just can't say…she's always being so nice to me…spending time with me and even protectin me…no matter how many times I tell her I can care for myself she's always at my side…"

Mia smiled "That's wonderful."

"…what do you think I should do?"

Mia scratched her chin "Well, if you aren't 100% sure, just keep thinking about it. Have you been avoiding her?"

"Y-yeah…I know it ain't nice but…I'm just-"

Holding her hand up, Mia silenced Nephene before smiling "That's fine…you may be avoiding her but you feel bad about it, you regret it. That should easily tell you that you want to be with her, or at least that you don't want to not be around her…doesn't it say so to you?"

Nephenee swallowed "I guess…"

Mia put her arm around Nephenee again and brought her in "Tell me all the things you two have done together. Tell me what she said or did to make you feel something. If we talk enough about it, you'll know what to do."

Despite that Nephenee continued to avoid Heather, it wasn't because she wasn't certain, more of it was because she didn't know what to do. In the end, she stopped thinking about it and took Heather's arm in her own…and it felt good.

"I think…I think I can tell her now…"