Hey everyone!

I don't not own any characters from the game or any of the lines in Italics. Those were taken directly from the game.

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The sound of heavy boots, clanking armor, and steady horse steps hummed in the back of Ike's mind as he kept pace with the Greil mercenaries. He was still trying to process what was going on. Although he was the least experienced of the group, his father asked him to lead the group in this mission.

Not that he didn't trust his father's judgment, but Ike just didn't feel as if he was ready to take command. Of course Shinon had made his own opinion on Ike's sudden rise in the ranks very clear. Under no uncertain terms was the sniper alright with Ike giving him any orders. Ike scratched his chin as he tried to recall the pleasant comment Shinon made earlier, 'A snot-nosed rookie handicap.' Or something like that.

It didn't matter though, his father was very determined to have Ike lead the crew on this job. It didn't make sense though. Why did his father put Ike in charge of such an important mission? With all the new developments coming to light, anyone with more experience would be better for this situation.

Daein started a war with Crimea only three days ago. It was still unfathomable to think the capital was destroyed. Of course, the relationship between the two countries was never friendly, to say the least, but the two lands mostly had skirmishes around the border. To think that Daein would make a full on assault was baffling.

"You're in pretty deep thought aren't you bro?" Ike turned to his sister. She smiled as she took a bite out of an apple and kept stride with him. "I don't know what father is thinking."

Ikyna made a hmm sound as she chewed, "Maybe he's thinking that it's important mission, and who better to trust then his son?"

"There are plenty of men in our mercenary group that are far more qualified than I am. Shinon, Gatrie, Titania." As Ike went on Ikyna rolled her eyes but said nothing in response. "I just hope I can handle it."

"Dad's going to pass the company to you eventually; you can't put off leading the troop just because you're doubting yourself."

The twins fell silent again and Ike allowed his mind to wander again. He thought about the mission; what would it be like when he finally saw the place where his land and Daein fought? Would he be able to direct the men if any altercations happened?

He scanned the group he was traveling with. Fortunately he was accompanied by the senior members. The scarlet-haired paladin, the cerulean clad armored knight, and the sharp-tongued archer. There were also some new members; Soren, his long-time friend, and Ryhs the meek priest.

Ike glanced quickly at the young woman shuffling with her head down and hands folded protectively over her tome book. Her silver hair fluttered as she walked. It was unbelievable the girl whom was barely lifting her head now had spoken with such determination just moments before heading out on the mission.

Aeyori nearly begged Greil to let her aid with this scouting mission. Even though she was weak and only just recovered, she insisted on lending any kind of support. Ike was grateful; any extra man power was much appreciated.

"Don't let what anyone else says make you doubt yourself bro." Ikyna suddenly chimed in, "In my opinion you're the right man for the job."

"Even if the job is useless."

The brother and sister turned towards the voice. Shinon was walking backwards with a smug smile.

"What do you mean tomato head?" Ikyna mocked.

"I'm just saying I wouldn't be so excited about leading a mission we shouldn't even be doing."

Titania turned around on her steed and shot Shinon a severe look. Without saying a word to the archer her own displeasure with his comment was palpable. Shinon snorted in irritation and kept walking.

"What Shinon said is right however."

"Not this again Soren." Ikyna said through eating. "We already decided that siding with Crimea was the best choice of action.

Soren sighed heavily, "It's ridiculous to put ourselves in potentially dangerous situations when we are not being paid to do so."

"It doesn't always have to be about money." She retorted.

"We are mercenaries, everything we do is for money."

"It's our duty to stand by our countrymen Soren." Titania finally broke her silence. Her normally calm demeanor was riddled with mild irritation. It wasn't hard to see why, she was a former Crimean knight.

"It's our job to stand by our employer."

"So you would have us pander after the deepest pocket instead of being loyal to our homeland."

Soren's face was expressionless as he plainly stated, "Yes, as well as whomever has the tactical advantage. A mercenaries best bet at survival is to find a wealthy employer but avoid a losing situation. It's a perk of being a mercenary; we have no sides or 'loyalties'.

"Indeed Soren. Let's get the most money in exchange for our humanity."

"What good is your humanity when you're lying dead in a ditch somewhere while crows are eating your eyes?"

Ikyna spat several chunks of apple out and coughed, "Seriously Soren, I'm trying to eat here."

Through the commotion of the exchange Ike noticed Aeyori silently staring off into the distance. He decided to involve her, "What do you think Aeyori?"

Her crimson eyes dialated in shock for a second. She played with the ends of her hair and her pale face blotched red from embarrassment. "I don't know. It seems reckless to join a fight without fool knowledge of the sides and no clear benefits. I also understand wanting to fight for your homeland." She tugged at her skirt, "But since I have no loyalties for either side, I'm just following your lead Sir."

She trailed off at the end of the sentence and looked down suddenly. Ike sighed at her very diplomatic answer while trying to shake off the discomfort he received from being called sir. "I suppose…" Ike stopped speaking mid-sentence as a strong scent hit his nose.

It was a pungent mix of iron and a sickening rotting smell. Ike had never smelled something so potent before and he groaned as he covered his nose with his arm. "What is that stench?" Ikyna said through a coughing fit, "It's ruining my appetite."

Titania halted on her horse and her expression hardened as her memories of war helped her identify what the smell was.

"It's blood." Aeyori said as she grabbed the end of her teal cape and covered her nose.

"It seems we've reached the battle field." Shinon said as he readied his bow and arrow.

"If this really was the site of a battle, we need to check the surrounding area. We should split up and get a lay of the land." Ike suggested.

The group split to cover more ground. The terrain was full of small and medium hills and short rocky mountains. The valley was filled with short grass and some patches of thick weeds and dense shrubs.

Ike split off with Aeyori and the two walked through the low plains and into the thick stench of blood and death. He groaned as the odor became stronger the farther they walked. The origin of the smell became clear as rows of corpses came into view. The disfigured bodies and faces littered the ground in pools of sanguine blood and discarded weapons.

Ike turned to Aeyori as she averted her eyes. Her skin was becoming noticeably paler and she covered her mouth and wretched.

"Are you all right?" Ike said as he placed a hand on the mages shoulders as she bent over and panted slightly. Sweat gathered around her brow and she began to look a faded green.

"I'm just don't like blood very much." She said.

"Don't you think you're in the wrong profession then?"

Aeyori nodded and gave a weak smile as she stood up straight, "Your mercenary group has done so much for me, this is the least I can do."

Ike agreed that the sights were very grotesque. Some of the dead bodies were missing arms, or legs, or even their stomachs. The carnage was horrible. "I just need to get used to it. I can help I promise." She said as she rolled her hands into fists.

"I'm sure you'll do fine, and I won't tell you to leave if you don't want to."

"So there you are." Soren and Ikyna emerged from a patch of thick bushes. "I see the situation is the same here. Corpses of Daien soldiers are everywhere."

"So Daein is losing right? See it looks like our homeland is winning." Ikyna said with a smile.

"Not necessarily, the Crimean soldiers that were fighting were part of the royal guard, most likely lead by Lord Renning."

"Lord Renning?" Titania said as she and Rhys made their way back to Ike and the rest of the company. "If Lord Renning is fighting then the Crimeans must be in trouble."

The clanking of armor and shuffling moved towards the group. Shinon and Gatrie joined the six other mercenaries. "I can only imagine that there must have been some precious cargo traveling this way." Shinon said, "Maybe a noble or something."

"Could it be King Ramon or…" Titania questioned while scratching her chin.

"You there who are you!" an angry voice demanded. A heavily clad soldier in black and gold armor marched out with six soldiers behind him. His forest green hair was slicked to one side over a severe brow and square jaw.

Titania positioned her horse in front defensively, "We're no one you need-"

The man quickly interrupted the paladin, "You're armed! Heed me! Drop your weapons and surrender! Act quickly, or else!" though his threat sounded firm his voice betrayed his brave front. He spoke hurriedly in fear.

"Listen to me, fool. You're making a mistake. We're not…" Shinon began to protest but once again the new enemy cut him off.

"Ah, you're not going to cooperate? Ready your weapons, men! Movie in and kill them all!" The man retreated to the back line as his soldiers began advancing on the eight mercenaries.

Titania clicked her tongue in annoyance and readied her axe.

"Getting caught up in a skirmish is not part of the plan." Soren said.

Ike frowned, "Well they are obviously not going to listen to us. Greil mercenaries get ready to fight!"

)(

Sorry no Reyson this time but more jewels from Mr. Sunshine himself, Soren.

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