Of Wyverns and Brands

Chapter 16

Okay. Sword? Check. Borrowed lance? Check. Full vulnerary? Check. Determination? Still holding. Guts? Still on the inside, thankfully. Confidence? Maybe?

I lean against Midnight and try to calm myself as another wave of fear tries to shake me. I can do this. I can do this. I just wish that my heart would stop racing. And that my nerves would calm down. Oh, and for a few hours of sleep, since I missed out on that.

I had thought that Greil would head out as soon as it was dark, but he still hasn't come out. Of course, I had no way of waking at the exact moment he does, so I've stayed up this whole time, and now half the night is gone. Because fighting the Black Knight with no sleep is always recommended. At least the anxiety is keeping me awake.

I'm really not good at just sitting around. I'm one of those people that need to be doing something. Pacing around up here is not good at all, as it gives my mind too much time to think of everything that can go wrong. I feel less and less sure of this by the minute, and he still isn't-

Hold that thought. Greil just came outside. That means he's leaving now, right? Ike comes rushing out right before he reaches the tree-line, and the two continue on together after a moment. Okay, that must mean it's time to go.

"Come on, Midnight," I whisper, getting on her back. Okay, she looks a little irritated at being woken up, but oh well. We have a mission to complete. "Let's go."

Midnight takes her time, but finally leaps off the fort. The path Ike and Greil took is barely visible between the trees, but even that gap stands out among the tight mass of trees here in Gallia. We definitely won't be able to land until we reach the clearing.

We fly slowly, both because Midnight's still half awake and to allow them time to get ahead. So it's another ten minutes of flying before I hear it. A resounding clang that shatters the silence that had reigned up till now. A chill goes down my back, even as the clearing suddenly comes into view a moment later.

Standing down there, facing Greil, is the Black Knight in all his prowess. With his massive armor, I'm sure he's even larger than King Ashnard. His entire being radiates both awesomeness and evilness at the same time. Right now, I can say that he is quite terrifying, especially with what I'm about to do.

I have Midnight silently circle the clearing, keeping her shadow from falling on them and revealing us too soon. As long as this plays out like the cutscene, I should be fine. If not…

The two below suddenly leap at each other, and my jaw drops at just how different the fight is in terms of epicness in real life. The Black Knight is moving as though the armor isn't even on him, while Greil is almost dancing while swinging that huge axe every which way.

After one long series of blows, though, Greil is forced back at the end. "Father!" Ike's shout rings out, grabbing the attention of both fighters. We're almost there.

"Stay back!" Greil's shout carries easily through the still night.

The Black Knight's voice doesn't, though, at least not from my height. After saying something, he tosses his sword across the clearing to land in a log near Greil.

Now.

Taking a deep, I fly out into the middle of the clearing and fling that lance straight down. Okay, so I can't even throw downward correctly, as the lance did a half-spin with the blunt end hitting the ground and bouncing off instead. Only me.

It did manage to announce my presence rather well, as everyone's eyes were on me. I quickly have Midnight land on the edge of the clearing across from Ike and equally far from both the Black Knight and Greil.

I don't think Greil is happy, though, as he asks "What are you doing here, boy?" Saving your life, of course.

"You're not the only one who has a bone to pick with this idiot," I reply, getting off Midnight. I pull out my sword and point it at the Black Knight. …Okay, this thing doesn't look nearly as cool in the face of such awesomeness. "I've come for revenge," I spout off the top of my head. Yeah, I should have thought of what to say more before coming.

"Who are you?" Even his voice is awesome. Why does he have to be a bad guy?

"You idiot! Get out of here," Greil orders. Don't tempt me!

"I am Sir Drake, vanquisher of evil and chaos," I say to the Black Knight, going off the top of my head again. Cue odds looks and silence from everyone. Well, I'm guessing about the Black Knight, but still. I need to think of something that will delay them. Delay, delay. "You don't even recognize me, do you?"

Everyone is just staring at me still. If this wasn't such a tense moment, I'm sure I wouldn't still have a straight face. Thankfully, the moment is broken by a roar. A very loud roar.

As roar fades away, the Black Knight raises his second sword at Greil. "I don't have time for this. Prepare to die, Gawain." Not good.

Greil smirks, spinning his axe in his hands. "Sorry, I'm pretty bad at-"

"Would you all just shut up!" I scream at the top of my lungs. Delay. Anything. Now. As the attention momentarily comes back to me, I quickly take a few steps forward and start to say whatever comes to mind. "I may be an avenger, but today I am not here to kill you, o ye of two masters. Tonight, I am here to tell you to leave. The medallion is with your first master back in Begnion. He was traveling as a monk, but knew what the medallion was when we met him. If you want it, go after him." Well, that is going to raise a lot of questions, on top of it just not making sense at all.

"Who are you?" This time, his voice is much harder, and definitely more dangerous sounding. He turns his sword to point it at me. "How do you know all of this?"

My response is thankfully cut off by yet another roar, this one much louder than before. Yay, we're saved. I did it.

"The king of beasts. It will not do to face him here." Yes! "I guess I will have to make a change of plans." Go, Drake!

I almost don't even realize the moment the Black Knight lunges forward. Make that flies forward. At me. I stumble back with a cry, and only by tripping onto my back do I escape with only a thin slice on my nose. What just happened?

As I focus once more, I look up into the black mask of the general. He's right above me and already preparing to do a coup de grace with his huge sword. I let out a bloody scream of terror as the sword plunges at my face. A clang, a spark, and a thud later, the sword buries itself right next to my head. My ear is brushing against it, it's so close. I'm going to need new pants again.

Above me, Greil's axe is pressed against the Black Knight's sword, having thrown it off course. Pulling back, Greil swings his axe at the Black Knight, forcing him back and away from me. "What's a matter? Tired of me already?" Greil taunts.

No longer at the point of death, reality finally hits me. I almost died. I almost DIED!

That's the only thought going through my head right now. Over and over and over. I almost died.

I don't even move as the others continue. "I will have to retreat for now, but I will be back someday, Gawain, even if you don't have the medallion. And for the boy as well."

"Let's see you try it," Greil retorts, dashing forward to attack.

With a flash of light, the Black Knight suddenly disappears, leaving Greil's axe to swing harmlessly through the air. The Black Knight was gone.

"Seems he's picked up a few tricks since last time," Greil mutters.

"Father! Drake!" Ike comes running over, worry evident on his face. "What just happened?"

"Something that you don't need to talk about. Either of you," he says, looking to me. I just keep staring at the night sky. "You two shouldn't have followed me out here. But we'll get to that later. For now, we'll return to the others. Drake has a lot of explaining to do as well. And remember, not a word of this to anyone."

I sit up slowly, but I have neither the strength nor the willpower to get up. I feel numb all over, as though all the energy in my body has left me.

Ike offers me a hand, and I try to stand, but my legs aren't the most cooperative at the moment. "Here." Ike offers his shoulder and starts to help me walk back toward the fort.

It was over. Everyone was alive. But I didn't feel happy, or proud, or worried, or anything. I had almost died. A hair's breath from my face being cleaved in two.

I don't remember the walk back to the fort. I just know when we reached it, I moved off and huddled up against Midnight's side, finding a sense of security next to her. Somehow, I fell into a dreamless rest as I waited for the sun to come up and this long, long night to be over.

-o-

Morning came way, way too soon, as someone's approaching footsteps startle me out of my light rest. I look up to see Ike coming with some food. I feel tired, cranky, and a little irritable, but at least the shock of almost dying has lessened.

I leave Midnight's side and meet Ike halfway. "You look horrible," Ike comments, handing me the food. You look great as well, thanks.

Instead of answer, I just start to eat, my empty stomach appreciating the warm food.

"The commander has asked that you come when you're finished," Ike adds. "There's going to be some meeting." Great. That probably didn't bode well. Did it have to be so early, too?

Quickly finishing the plate of food, I follow Ike inside the fort. In what was probably once a supply room, Greil awaits us, along with Titania and Soren. Great. I really don't feel like putting up with Soren right now.

After Ike closes the door behind us, Greil starts in. "I think it's time to come clean, Drake. Who are you really? Why are you here?"

"I'm Drake, and I'm here to help Princess Elincia." I really am not in the mood to be questioned, guys.

Greil shakes his head. "Your full name. Of what house are you? And what are you really doing here?" House? Oh, like what the princess was saying.

"I'm not a noble. Why does everyone think I'm a noble here?"

And so, Soren gives me the list. "Your build and skin shows an easy lifestyle without hard work. Your speech and intellect reflect your teachings. And your posture and bearing are that of the nobility." Again with the posture and stuff. Does weak and puny translate to nobility here?

"I was a scholar who could have gotten out more, but I'm not part of the nobility. Why would I be here if I was?"

"Taking advantage of the last heir of Crimea? Seeking to change the power struggle of Daein? There's plenty of reasons," Soren retorts. "But the likely story is that some noble woman messed up and had you. Your secret finally got out, so the family disowned you."

"Soren!" Titania exclaims.

That's it. I feel myself snap as he insults my mother. He went too far, and I'm too tired to care about the consequences. "You bastard! Don't you talk about my mother like that! She was a loving caring woman. Don't you dare slur her name like that!"

Everyone's staring in slight shock at my sudden outburst, as I normally don't let his provocations move me. But I'm not done.

"I won't take it from some sissy boy that's too ashamed of his own parents to let the world know his secret; too afraid to let his closest allies know he's branded as well, you racist dog. Just try saying something again."

While the other three continue to try and process what's going on, Soren does respond as he glares at me with hatred, though I don't really catch what he's saying. Then I realize that's about to cast some spell, just as the others try to step in. Already eager for a fight, I leap forward and deck him across the face, making him reel back. Before I can continue, though, I feel strong hands grab my arms and hold me back, even as Ike moves to stop Soren.

"Stop this nonsense at once," Greil orders. "You're like bickering children. Soren, stop antagonizing him. Drake, if you want us to stop speculating, you need to come out with it. You haven't been fully honest with us. Tell us the whole story. Now."

As I finally calm down, Titania lets me go. What do I say? Guess what everyone, I'm from another world where you're all supposed to be fiction? But I need to say something. More half-truths, I guess.

"I'm not nobility," I insist, my vocal level back to normal. "Where I come from, a lot of people are like me. We have it easy there, I guess, but I'm just a 'commoner' as you would call it."

"And where are you from?" Greil prompts.

"I'm…not from Tellius," I finally say. There are mixed expressions from them, but I'm sure none of them really believe it. Keep it believable, Drake. Believable…ah. "Across the desert by Daein lies the country of Hatari," I continue, an idea forming. "After the great flood, Tellius wasn't the only continent to survive, though we thought we were for the longest."

"You expect us to believe that you came from some other land?" Soren asks incredulously. Just wait till you hear the actual truth. Titania shoots him a warning look, but he stops there.

"What's this Hatari like?" Ike asks.

"Hatari is a land of freedom," I answer, starting to make it up as I go. "Beorc and laguz live together there, and the 'Branded' as you call them are not uncommon. All three live together without issue. In fact, the branded are favored because of the gifts inherited from their parents. So we call them the 'gifted'." Yeah, I only just realized what I said, but at least I kept a neutral face. …I think.

"Humans and laguz living together," Titania murmurs, looking intrigued.

"So why are you here, then?" Greil asks.

"I told you that I have visions. That's my gift." Actually, it's some weird force power that I have yet to really test, but let's stick to the need-to-know. "I kept having visions of events happening over here. I thought it irrelevant until a…person was found from Tellius on the edge of the desert." Gotta keep Rafiel a secret for now. "When I found out that there was another land, I grew sure that my visions were leading me here, so I came to see where my visions would take me."

"Visions?" Ike's confused look was mirrored by Soren and Titania.

"I have visions of the future, occasionally. Your father has been in several of them, as well as Princess Elincia," I 'explain' for them. "When I got here, I got into trouble a few times because I didn't hide my mark at first. That's how I ended up in the Daein army."

Everyone went quiet as they took in what I said, weighing it. Meanwhile, I silently repeated it to myself. Keeping track of all these half-truths is going to get tiring.

After a while, Greil speaks up. "It sounds far-fetched, but there have always been rumors of a land beyond the desert of death. And if you were a noble, I'd place you as a Daein noble, but I now there aren't any of your age currently. For now we'll leave it at that, unless you have something to add." Nope. "Alright, Titania and Soren, you're dismissed. And Soren, we'll speak later."

Soren suddenly looks fearful about the coming talk, but he nods and hurries out. Hopefully my spoilers won't affect too much there.

"Is this about last night?" Ike asks as Titania leaves. "What happened?"

"First, I'd like to know what Drake knows about that man," Greil says, turning to me.

Great. More questioning. And ones with huge spoilers to edge around. "He's one of the Four Riders of Daein. He is almost without peer in swordsmanship, and he has never taken a wound since donning his armor in service to King Ashnard. However, his real motives seem askew to moving up the ranks, so rumors abound of him living a double life, especially since no one has seen him without his armor." And how much do you know?

"And how did you know he would be there and that he was after the medallion?" Greil asks, even as Ike's confusion grows.

"A vision," I state. "In it, you were stabbed in the heart by him in that duel, and he questioned you for the medallion as you bled out. A few moments later, the King of Gallia showed up and chased him off. So I decided to show up and slow him down with a bunch of nonsense." And almost died. I shiver as I think on that once more. Not fun.

"The King of Gallia?" Ike mutters "Was that who was roaring last night?"

Greil nods. "Most likely. He wouldn't have ran from many others."

"How did that Black Knight know you?" Ike asks his father.

"He trained under me for a time when I live in Gallia before," Greil explains.

"You lived in Gallia?"

Greil nods. "There was a soldier exchange program attempted many years ago to try and ease the relations between Gallia, Crimea, and Begnion. That was how we met. That was also the first time I met Titania as well."

"But what about Daein?" Ike is catching on fast.

"He was a soldier of Begnion at the time. When he started training under me, he picked up my style quickly and quickly outstripped the others. I'm not sure why he has allied himself with King Ashnard, though. Maybe there is more to this thought of him serving two masters." And Greil is catching on fast as well. Like father, like son.

"But what is this medallion that he was wanting?" And Ike hits the big question.

"I'm not sure, but I'm sure he'll be back at some point," Greil answers, lying through his teeth, of course. "But when he does come back, you two keep your distance. You'll only get yourselves killed rushing in like last night." Yes. Point taken. I don't want to die, either.

With that, we leave. We're only a short distance from the room when Ike stops me, though. "Drake."

"Yes?"

Ike pauses, as though looking for the right word. "Thank you."

"Hmm?"

"For saving Father."

I feel a sense of pride wash through me as I'm suddenly reminded of what I've done. I really did it, didn't I? I saved Greil and changed the story. Just a simple, weak human from another world managed to survive an encounter with the Black Knight and come out alive.

I. Am. Awesome!

Ike squeezes my shoulder, bringing me back to the present. "If you ever need anything, let me know, Drake. Thank you." And with that, I'm left alone.

I feel like jumping up and down or running around or something. If I wasn't so tired, anyway. I got Ike's praise and saved the day! Go, Drake!

-o-

AN: And I finally managed to plow through this so I can finally sleep. I was aiming for two chapters along with going to bed a few hours ago, but…well, drama is ensuing around me. I let my friend rant for a few hours to calm their jets, and *poof* my writing time disappeared.

On a another note, an Ike card can easily reach $25 apiece, and a Jill card $20, so my planned Cipher deck just went out the window with my dreams. At least I can afford my flying deck…which ended up around a hundred. TCG's man. Expensive.

Well, enjoy. Review. Try not to kill Drake. Etc.

P.S. I really don't hate Soren. Honest. :)

Update: Error correction, etc.