6/21/14
The end of Radiant Dawn! These 3 chapters (VS Dheginsea, VS Sephiran and VS Ashera) all present different issues every time I tackle them in the game, those dragons do a lot of damage so I probably heal more in Endgame 3 than any other chapter and all the Aura with Counter (or whatever its called) very irritating.
That aside...here is the last one...then I have 5 more chapters :)
Resolution
"Neph."
Heather noticed Nephenee's hands shaking as she gripped Wishblade tightly. Yune just announced that their next enemy was the Dragon King Dheginsea.
In preparation Yune used her power to bless the group's best weapons. Heather found herself looking at her glowing Baselard, recalling how it found its way into her hands before looking at the door before her.
"Heather…"
"If you're scared, it's alright Neph. It's not just you and it's not just us. We're all here and ready to go. We've made it through so much; this'll just be another triumph."
Turning to Heather, Nephenee calmed herself before looking at her own glowing Wishblade. Nodding to herself she looked to the door as it opened "Dragons…I'm ready."
"That's the spirit! Let's go kick some dragon tail!"
Chamber of the Dragon King
The Goldoan Dragons were not a huge population but they made up for their lack of numbers in size and strength. The magically inclined White Dragons and the physically powerful Red Dragons both led by the skilled and immeasurably strong Nasir and Gareth, deputies to the mighty Dragon King.
Suffice to say the battle was not an easy one.
The Chosen Army found themselves making slow progress filled with constant retreats to heal themselves. The breath attacks of the dragons seared and burned everything around them.
The one key advantage the Chosen Army has is the Goldoans' inability to attack Kurthnaga or Ena; rather they didn't want to strike at their own kind.
Tibarn shot straight for the Dragon King, berating Dheginsea once again for his stubborn rule and his absent desire to help all other Laguz no matter what happens to them.
Despite their heavily scaled bodies, Heather found the Blessed Baselard cutting through them much easier than she first expected.
Leaping away from one that prepared to fire its White Breath; Wishblade sliced through the air and impaled the Dragon which then fell over dead.
Nodding to her comrade Heather continued forward with Nephenee at her side.
Miraculously Ike and Tibarn succeeded in bringing down Dheginsea, adding him to the ever growing list of the fallen, specifically those who in many ways did not have to die.
After naming Kurthnaga the new Dragon King, Dheginsea demanded that Gareth and Nasir join the Chosen Army and proceed.
Tower of Guidance – E4
"Wow…he's tall."
Nephenee nodded at Heather's statement, looking at the Crimson Bodyguard, Gareth.
Even though he is a Red Dragon, Nephenee was still amazed at how red he looked even in his pre-shift form.
"Have you two never seen a Red Dragon before?"
The pair jumped as Gareth turned to them.
"You're eyes speak very loud to me…I realize I was an enemy to you a few moments ago-"
"No worries…Mr. Gareth…sir…we…we just-"
Gareth laughed "I have no seniority over you in this army, refer to me however you wish."
Nephenee nodded but then proceeded to hide behind Heather who laughed at the whole exchange.
Heather realized that despite the situation they were in, the Chosen Army was not losing its spirit. Looking to her friends and allies around her, despite their wounds and the dirt on their clothes, their smiles and optimism shined through.
Chamber of the Chancellor
"So…this is it?"
Heather looked around, the group now stood on a massive platform before a very large door. According to Yune, Ashera was beyond it but it was not budging an inch.
Groaning Heather turned and was about to speak when her eyes landed on Nephenee. The Halberd's eyes seemed to be looking through everything and she seemed…terrified.
Worried Heather walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder causing the other woman to jump.
"Neph? You alright?"
"I-I-I don't know…I…something…something's here."
The Chosen Army turned as Sephiran, Duke of Persis and Chancellor of Begnion approached them.
Heather saw the smile on Nephenee's face and recalled how she was with the same prison group as Sephiran when he was just a 'traveling monk'. The man kept Nephenee's faith alive the whole time they were imprisoned, Heather felt she owed the man for helping Nephenee all those years ago.
However, Sephiran revealed that he was the one behind everything Ike and his friends had been fighting against. From Ashnard's invasion of Crimea to the war between the Laguz Alliance and Begnion, it was all Sephiran who wanted to wake the Goddess and erase all life in the world.
Sephiran had no faith that the life born on Tellius would grow in the way he had envisioned and instead of allowing it to continue on what he deemed a self-destructive path, he was going to wipe it all out.
Heather saw the shock in several of her comrades faces, namely Sanaki. Though without so much as a stutter Ike moved forward, ready to run the Chancellor through only for Sephiran to warp away and summon dozens of ethereal spirits.
"The door is tied to my life…it will only open when my life finally expires…if you truly wish to challenge the Goddess…you must kill me."
While the Chosen Army's first instinct was to charge they found their movements severely hampered by the ethereal spirits Sephiran summoned.
No matter how far off the objects were, they warped right into the fray and all around the Army while unleashing streams of flames, lightning and slicing gales.
Together the four dragons took the brunt of the enemy flames while Soren worked hard to redirect the wind. Once again the brute force units were led by Ike straight through the spirits while the more agile troops protected them, taking the fight to the oncoming spirits.
"How can you tell if you…kill them?"
Heather yelled as she slashed towards one only for it to vanish and appear behind her.
"W-what?"
Quickly the spirit unleashed a powerful flame against Heather's back and threw her to the ground. The orb continued to follow her as she flipped to her feet and shot another flame forward.
Heather jumped over it and threw Baselard, the flaming orb exploded, leaving nothing but ash falling to the ground around her dagger.
Heather felt the intense burn against her back and cursed as she picked up Baselard.
"Heather!"
The rogue turned to see Nephenee's shield flying her way, just as it passed by her it deflected a lightning bolt. Reacting quickly Heather launched at the electrical spirit and destroyed it as well.
She then turned to see Nephenee struck by a wind spirit, picking up the Halberd's shield she ran towards the wind spirit, holding the shield up, breaking the enemy gales.
After striking the spirit, Nephenee stood and noticed the intense expression in Heather's eyes.
"Heather…are you-"
"I'm scared…these things aren't people…they feel no remorse…no hesitation…they are trying to kill us and nothing will stop them."
Nephenee cast a quick look at Heather's burned back; before she could say anything three more spirits surrounded the pair.
Heather covered Nephenee and raised the Halberd's shield up, the two stumbled back from the force of the spirit's magic.
"Careful!" A powerful voice roared, the three watched in awe as the massive Red Dragon Gareth crashed into the ground before them and unleashed a furious scarlet flare, dissipating the spirits.
Turning the dragon faced them "Are you two alright."
Heather nodded "Thank you Gareth."
"Mighty thanks Mr. Gareth."
Despite the massive scale covered, fierce looking creature that he was, it almost look like he smiled at the nickname before charging away.
"We have to get back in the fray! Let's go!" Heather yelled, giving Nephenee her shield back.
With a quick nod, Nephenee followed Heather to the wall of spirits surrounding Sephiran.
Despite the single mindedness of the spirits, the Chosen Army's determination broke their ranks and eventually brought down Sephiran.
Tower of Guidance – E5
Nephenee was amazed and pleased with the Goddess Yune, following the battle it almost seemed like Sephiran was about to die and he would of if Yune had not stepped in and saved his life at the last second. However it seemed like the man's will was broken and he had no immediate desire to move from his place on the ground.
As the Chosen Army began to file through the now open door to face Ashera, Heather noticed Nephenee walking towards the fallen Sephiran.
"S-Sephiran…"
The man turned slowly to see Nephenee, a sort of recognition came across his face "My kind hearted child…what could you possibly want with someone as twisted and broken as I?"
"You ain't…you ain't none of that Sephiran."
Nephenee kneeled near the fallen man who shook his head "Leave me here…I'm not worth anyone's worry…not now."
"I'm not worried…you're alive…you should be mighty happy about that."
"…"
"I know you been seeking death for years but…you can help so much more by livin…I just…wanted to say that because…you helped me survive the worst time of my life."
"The prison camp…"
"Yeah…I'll always thank ya for keepin my faith alive…thanks Sephiran."
Nephenee stood as Heather approached, casting a glance at Sephiran "I'm afraid I don't know much about you Chancellor…but I feel I owe you for Nephenee as well…"
"I see…" he spoke very softly as he looked to the two of them.
"…and if you don't mind me sayin, layin on the ground ain't good for hair as fine as that. Trust me I know."
With a smile Heather hooked Nephenee's arm and proceeded through to the Goddess' Chamber, leaving Sephiran with a small smile and more to think about.
Chamber of the Goddess
The Chosen Army stood in silence, before them the Goddess of Order, Ashera, stood.
No one was quite sure of how to react, no man, woman or child should be able to see let alone speak to or fight a God. Right now they looked to the being responsible for the origin of their world and they had their weapons at the ready.
Once again the fear from before returned to Heather as Ashera spoke with Ike, much like her appearance, Heather couldn't quite grasp what kind of voice the Goddess was emitting, monotone yet furiously angry and impartial yet judgmental, it made no sense.
The fear however began to fade away and her body grew warm, looking down she noticed that Nephenee had taken her hand. Facing each other, without a word they nodded.
Looking to the rest of the Chosen Army the group was prepared to fight when Lehran appeared.
"I am sorry my Goddess…despite my years of honored servitude at your side…I've only now realized my folly…and I would hope that you could see the same."
"Lehran…not even you could change what I must do…what has to happen."
Lehran looked to the Chosen Army then to the Goddess "I believe…that we can."
Ike and Micaiah nodded to each other before ordering the army to move forward.
"This light…it's…I don't even know what to call it…I'm just…really happy…relieved…everythin is…done…I never imagined it would feel so good…"
After blinking a few times Nephenee looked around, surprised to see that the Chosen Army was now standing outside of the Tower of Guidance along with their other allies, it seems that Yune did them the favor of warping them out after Ashera fell.
The powerfully bound allies be they Greil Mercenary, Dawn Brigade, Royal Knight, Beorc or Laguz, they cheered together. The war that had lasted nearly a year had finally come to a close.
Nephenee turned to see Heather, with a large smile she launched forward and embraced the golden haired rogue.
Heather smiled and hugged the cerulean haired Halberd back as the cheering continued around them.
The war was won; the peace would begin to settle in.
The Heroes of Tellius now began their return to their homes where drastic plans were put into motion to solidify the peace between the nations.
Everyone who departed from the Tower of Guidance had many more stories to tell in the newfound age of Tellian peace.
However…one tale of a beautiful love…is the story to follow…
With these 19 chapters out of the way I'd like to take this time to dole out some thank yous.
Thank you to Whisper6636, Remi Femble and GunLord500 for your reviews/comments with special thanks to Cormag Ravenstaff for your regular reviews/comments on all of my chapters.
I know most people don't have the time? patience? or even just the desire to comment or review anything. I myself read a good fan fiction and click on the review box only to realize I have nothing of true value to say. I'm not going to spam all the good stories I review with 'good chapter and more please' that's not what writers want...at least, I think that's not.
Thank you to all the followers and those who faved this story such as SuperPanda9000, LittleA-A-Ron, xxRogueHunterxx, dandyman and of course Cormag Ravenstaff and I just realized this story is now in the FE Yuri Community...when did that happen? Whoever did that, suggested that or whatever, thank you.
In addition I'd like to point everyone to 2 other Nephenee x Heather fanfictions both of which are one shots. I found and read as many as I could prior to writing partially to see how other people handled it and partially because I just wanted to read some Nephenee x Heather
Krokador's Tongue-Tied is a really nice one, wish it was longer or multi chapter but for what it is, its really nice and on a more adult level if you know what I mean is Thief by Opal_Armadillo
This isn't the end of the story, there is quite a bit more to be said as well as a few other one shots related to this story. Long time readers of mine (if there are any) have already read one of the one shots but there are at least 3 more to come.
Look forward to it and I'll be back in a few days with the Love Trilogy!
Thanks again!