Unknowingly recruited into the Black Fang, Katsuki has quite the surprise waiting for him. Back to Izuku, his group had made a detour to the Shrine of Spirits, unaware of what, or rather, who was preparing for their arrival.
A/N;
I kind of forgot that the first BNHA movie takes place right before the Forest Training Camp, so I'm just going to ignore developments that take place in the movie for ease of mind.
Chapter has been re-edited as of March 14, 2023. Major changes include Izuku fighting a bandit instead of a berserk myrmidon from the previous edit, Porc. Lyn's private conversation with Mark after they meet Florina has also been edited to not mention Izuku killing (since he hasn't killed anyone).
Time to answer some reviews!
Dcraus - Eliwood x Ninan Mark x Florina
You might be onto something
Onto the story!
"They are approaching. They've added two Lycian knights and a plainswoman to their ranks." A bandit reported to the priest, hidden in his secluded temple room. He had a bunch of bandits watching the outskirts of the city for their targets, a green-haired Sacaen boy and the brown-haired tactician with very flowy clothing.
"Lycian knights… That tactician works faster than I expected. Will they be an issue?" The fake priest questioned, wondering why those knights were in Bulgar in the first place.
"No, we still have a numbers advantage." The bandit replied, confident in the strength of his men.
"Good, have your men ready to strike. I need some time to deal with the civilians first." The fake priest directed, letting the bandit leave as he headed for the basement of the temple. Everyone had their part to play, after all.
"Well, I'll be damned." The cloaked man on the path to the Shrine of Spirits said as he pulled his hood down. He had three companions with him behind a tree on the path looking toward the shrine.
"Y-you!" Mark and Izuku could not believe their eyes at who stood before them. At the duo's voice, the cloaked man's companions quickly stood, tense. Perceiving a threat, Lyn dismounted from her horse with her hand on her blade as the knights did likewise, Sain brandishing his lance while Kent drew his blade.
"Please, I mean no harm. I just recognized some old friends." The man quickly went between the two groups, his hands held out to stop them. Much had changed since the last time they had seen him. He was much more grizzled; spotting a fair bit of stubble on his chin. His cheeks were thinner, and his eyes had bags under them, but the man was undeniably Glass. Before Lyn or the knights could question the mercenary, Glass was nearly bowled over by Izuku, the green-haired student almost flying from his place atop Kent's horse to tackle the mercenary in a hug.
"Hey, rookie. It's good to see you and the kid made it out safely." Glass spoke softly, not minding the growing wet spot on his cloak. He patted Izuku's back in an effort to comfort the boy.
"Glass! The camp, Ringue… I'm sorry… I couldn't do anything…" Izuku grieved, Lyn standing down as Glass' companions relaxed. They removed their hoods to reveal Guy, Bank and Bub, equally as worn down as Glass. Bank had burns snaking across his skin and Bub seemed to have gone mute.
"It's alright, rookie. His death wasn't in vain." Glass consoled the boy, grimacing as his friend's death was all but confirmed. He had also returned to the camp some time after they had been ambushed, counting Mac and Aron's bodies among the dead.
"So, rookie, who are these people?" Glass directed Izuku's attention to Lyn and the knights standing awkwardly behind the green-haired boy, unsure of what to make of the unfamiliar individuals.
"I concur, who are these men, Izuku? They seem of ill repute." Kent spoke up, not familiar enough with Izuku and company to relax his guard just yet. In his defence, Glass and his companions did look rather suspicious in their run-down garb.
"I can answer that. Lyn, Kent, Sain, this is Glass, Guy, Bank and Bub. They were a part of the mercenary group I travelled with before I met Lyn. We were split up when we were ambushed by bandits." Mark explained, allowing Izuku to wipe his face on his sleeve.
"I see. My apologies, Glass. We were accosted by bandits mere hours ago. Surely, you could understand our caution." Kent bowed his head as he sheathed his blade, the mercenary's eyebrows raising at Kent's formal language.
"No offence taken. We don't exactly look like the reputable type either. What are knights like yourselves doing on the plains?" Glass shrugged, tugging at his cloak.
"I am Kent, and my companion here is Sain. We are knights of Caelin searching for the granddaughter of the marquess." Kent introduced himself and Sain, the green knight giving a haphazard salute.
"Wouldn't you have better luck searching Lycia for the granddaughter of the marquess? Sacae is no dainty garden." Glass asked, rather confused.
"Actually, we have already found her. Lyndis is the granddaughter of the marquess." Kent clarified as he gestured toward Lyn, only serving to confuse the mercenary further.
"Sir Kent, if I'm not mistaken, 'Milady' here is a true blooded Sacaen, no? A strong and beautiful swordsman too; unless my eyes deceive me." Glass observed, addressing Lyn's very obvious heritage.
"I am Lyn, of the Lorca tribe. My father was Hassar, the chieftain. My mother was Madelyn, the marquess of Caelin's daughter." She replied, unsure of how to respond to Glass' comment. She gasped when the mercenary performed a gesture that none of the others could interpret.
"To be in the presence of the daughter of the Lion of the Plains, it is an honour." Glass said with some reverence. It seemed the gesture was a form of greeting. "It's been a while since I practiced any Sacaen customs."
"Thank you, Glass. What brings you to the Shrine of Spirits?" Lyn nodded with nostalgic fondness, before posing a question to the mercenary.
"I had some questions for the priest. I was going to pray for future travels… and for fallen comrades." Glass answered morosely, the mercenary's words growing heavier when one took into mind his current state.
"Then I shall pray for your comrades as well." Lyn responded, knowing that pain far too well.
"Perhaps we could go together? There's no harm in travelling in a larger group." Mark suggested, pulling everyone's attention. No one seemed to be against the idea.
"That sounds good to me." Lyn and Glass said in sync, turning to each other.
"My apologies, Lyn. The group is yours to lead." The mercenary rubbed the back of his head bashfully. It had been a while since he was not the leader.
"Thank you, Glass. Now let us depart for the shrine!" Just as Lyn had given the command, a middle aged woman ran to the group, out of breath.
"I beg your pardon, milady. Are you headed to the Shrine of Spirits?" She managed between breaths.
"Yes, we are indeed. What is wrong, ma'am?" Lyn asked as Kent offered the woman some water.
"Then you must hurry and help the priest there! He told us to run when a group of bandits ran into the temple! They seemed intent on stealing the altar's sacred sword!" Upon hearing her words, Glass' expression morphed to a grimace.
"The Mani Katti… They're going to steal it? We cannot allow this to happen!" Lyn decided.
"Sain, please escort this woman home. Mark, let's form a plan." Lyn commanded as Izuku helped the woman onto the knight's horse.
"You seem like the smart sort, young man. Perhaps you could benefit from something I saw earlier. The bandits cut off the main entrance, but one of the temple's walls is in poor repair. You may be able to break through without having to deal with the ones at the front." The woman told Izuku as he helped her up, nodding in thanks.
"Thanks, ma'am. Please get home safe." Izuku responded with an assuring smile. He and Mark could use that information well. Walking back to the group, they were deep in discussion of the plan.
"I've been tracking those bandits. They were the ones who ambushed us. I'll take my men and the knights while Izuku and Lyn go through and assist the priest." Glass said, looking at the general layout that Mark had drawn up with Lyn's help.
"Our horses won't be able to cross those mountains. If the bandits see us coming, they'll just surround us before you can retaliate." Kent argued, putting a wrench in Glass' idea.
"Barreling through is a foolish strategy anyway. There has to be another way." Mark agreed. They were separated from the temple by two walls, a small mountain range barring passage between them. They wouldn't have time to go around the wall, if the woman's urgency was anything to go by.
"Actually, that woman just told me that there's a weakened section in the wall. We could break through and get the jump on the bandits inside." Izuku finally spoke up, providing Mark with exactly what he needed.
"Perfect. We'll use that instead. Glass, can your men take out the bandits that might lurk near the entrance with the knights? The three of us will clear the inner sanctum." Mark nodded as he pointed to himself, Izuku and Lyn.
"Of course." Glass answered, followed by nods from the rest of his group.
"Good, let's move! We have no time to waste!" Mark commanded as Sain rejoined the group, galloping alongside Kent. Upon approaching the wall, a brigand appeared from a thicket on their left. With a rallying cry, more appeared from the thicket and rushed to meet the group.
"Tch, Lyn! Hold them off with the knights at that fortress! I need Bub's axe to get through the wall!" Mark ordered, continuing to advance with Glass' group and Izuku. The fortress should provide Lyn and the knights with a defensive advantage.
"We'll meet you inside!" Lyn shouted back as Kent and Sain used their superior maneuverability to draw the group of brigands towards them.
"Bank, find that weak point!" Mark commanded, the thief quickly scanning the wall before throwing his dagger at a section. Without needing a command, Bub caved a hole in the wall with his axe and momentum. Mark dismounted from his steed as he entered, leaving the horse by the hole in the wall.
Glass turned to Mark with a nod, the mercenary leading his group to secure the entrance. The thief picked up his dagger, slipping it into his cloak, nodding to Izuku as he left with Glass.
After hearing blades begin to clash at the entrance, Mark and Izuku moved past a row of pillars separating the altar from the rest of the temple. Catching a flash in the corner of his eye, Izuku quickly drew his sword.
"Mark, get back!" Izuku yelled as he ducked under the axe, dodging it by a hair. The bandit that attacked him was surprised when Izuku kicked them hard in the stomach and forced them back. Dusting themselves off, the bandit disregarded Izuku and dashed straight at the tactician.
"Your opponent is me!" Izuku shouted as he blocked the bandit. The bandit swung his axe again, not paying attention as Izuku dodged, lodging the bandit's axe in the pillar. Izuku took the opportunity to knock out the bandit with the side of his blade, the man slumping over onto the floor.
"Thank goodness! You saved me, young man. Those ruffians were about to kill me!" An old man in priestly robes stepped out of hiding from behind the altar, relying on a staff to maintain his balance. The head was adorned with three red gems on its crown, surrounding a ruby orb. It glowed orange in the dim light of the altar. "Come forward, I'd like to give you a token of my thanks."
"Rookie! Get away from him!" Glass shouted as he burst into the inner sanctum, the old man's expression morphed into one of sadistic glee. Pointing the staff at Izuku, a beam of spiralling orange light flew from the gem, intent on hitting the green-haired boy. Glass threw himself forward, pushing Izuku out of the way as the beam struck the mercenary, enveloping Glass in an aura of rage.
"Hahaha! Not my intended target but it should provide the same results all the same! My Berserk staff will cause its victim to attack the weakest target! It can't even be dispelled until the victim dies!" The priest began to laugh maniacally as Glass slowly approached him. With a roar of anger, the mercenary sliced the old man in half with his sword, breaking the staff in the process. "What!? How…"
"Those two are stronger than you ever were." Glass grunted, crushing the old man's head beneath his boot. He attempted to sheathe his blade before he was beset by a fit. The berserk staff's effect hadn't subsided with its caster's death. He turned to Izuku, realizing the boy wouldn't be able to stop him like this.
Just then, Lyn and the knights arrived, entering the inner sanctum to see the bloodshed that had occurred within. It gave Glass an idea.
"Mwahahaha! This blade is more magnificent than I'd imagined! That tactician was a fool to think that I wouldn't take this blade the moment I laid eyes on it! That priest stood no chance against my skill!" Glass cackled as he stabbed the priest's corpse with his blade.
"You're nothing like the mercenary we met! Who are you?" Kent demanded, brandishing his lance with Sain at his side. Lyn had her blade drawn as well, but was far more conflicted.
"Who am I?! I am Glass! My swordplay is peerless! Even the gods fear my name! Stand in my way and I will kill every last one of you!" The mercenary roared, pointing his blade directly at Lyn. It triggered a reaction in Kent, the red knight much more willing to face a threat to Lyn.
"Then look at me! I will end this farce!" Kent reared his horse back and thundered forward. Mark and Izuku were in too much shock to dissuade the cavalier as Glass let down his guard at the last moment; the knight's lance piercing the mercenary through the chest and slamming him into the base of the altar. The sound of flesh hitting stone shook Mark and Izuku from their shock.
"Glass!" They yelled as they clambered up the altar and knelt next to the dying mercenary. Only then did Kent realize that the mercenary's posturing was a ruse.
"Glass, I-" The knight dismounted and tried to tend to the mercenary before he was interrupted.
"Save your apologies, Sir Kent. It was the reaction I expected of you." Glass grunted, covering his mouth as he coughed up some blood. "I had a feeling that the bastard priest was the leader of those bandits. He must've been the one who took Guy out of the fight when we were ambushed. He had just cast some sort of berserk magic on me. I wouldn't have stopped until I did something that I would've regretted for the rest of my days."
"But we could've found another way to deal with it! I just needed more time!" Mark shouted, hot tears rolling down his cheeks. This couldn't be happening again so soon.
"Kid, if any harm came to you or your new companions, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. One for the good of many. The academy asked me to demonstrate it to you when I was hired. I just didn't think it'd be like this." Glass frowned, turning to Lyn, who had joined them at the altar with Sain. "Lyn, I apologize for dragging you and your knights into my problems. I'm afraid I don't have much to make up for it."
"Save your strength, Glass. I should be thanking you instead. I wouldn't have met Mark and Izuku in the first place if it were not for you." Lyn said somberly. She hadn't known the mercenary for long, but he truly was a good man.
"Pay it no mind. May Father Sky guide your path and Mother Earth guard your feet. I pray your journey ends well." Glass nodded, speaking again in Sacaen customs.
"May Father Sky count you among the stars and Mother Earth welcome you into her embrace." Lyn responded, wiping a tear from her eye.
"Rookie, don't waste your time. This is the end for me. I'm sorry I couldn't stick around for longer." Glass finally turned to Izuku, the green-haired boy fruitlessly trying to staunch the flow of blood from his chest.
"Here. And my sword too." Glass slid a hand into his cloak, taking out the vulnerary he had received from Izuku in Bulgar. With some difficulty, he slid his scabbard off his back, giving them both to Izuku. "I won't be needing them."
"You and Ringue… You guys were always looking after me. You are my heroes." Izuku whimpered, clutching Glass' hand as he felt the mercenary's pulse weaken.
"I guess I fulfilled my dream in the end. I'm sure you'll be able to become a hero too, Izuku." Glass chuckled, leaning back and closing his eyes. "Ah, Ringue… I'll be seeing you soon."
Having said his peace, Glass breathed his last, his hand relaxing in Izuku's. Squeezing the mercenary's hand one last time, Izuku stepped back as Kent and Sain took Glass' body off the altar, placing him against one of the pillars. Lyn picked up Glass' sword, placing it back within its scabbard and helping Izuku put it on. A cough alerted the group to the presence of Bank and Bub, supporting an old man between them as Guy led the way. The myrmidon saw the proceedings and stepped away, paying his respects to the fallen mercenary.
"I must thank you all for saving me. That villain accosted me some time ago and kept me hog-tied in the basement since!" The old man rasped, clearly unused to using his voice. "I see you've suffered a great loss. It may not be much solace, but please lay your hands upon the Mani Katti. The spirits within the blade shall bless you on your journey."
Izuku went first, walking back up the altar and drawing the sword from its scabbard. It was a katana, without a doubt. Its make was simple, but it was truly a masterpiece. Running his finger along the grain, Izuku was surprised to feel consolation from the blade. Sheathing it, he left the blade on the altar, moving aside for Lyn. Mark and the knights stood to the side. Being of the Eliminean faith, they had no reason to pray to the blade. Walking up the blade, the air seemed to condense around the altar.
"What? Did-" She asked, surprised as the blade flashed a bright light as she laid her hand on the handle. Unsheathing the blade from its scabbard, the entire blade shone a soft white in her hands. "The sword… it's glowing."
"Ah! The spirits are calling out to you. They desire to help you on your journey." The old man interpreted, speaking in a reverent tone.
"No… I can't… I couldn't…" Lyn responded in disbelief. The blade's glow had yet to subside. On the contrary, the glow only seemed to grow brighter with Lyn's refusal.
"It is the sword's wish. I never dared to hope that I might meet, much less be saved, by the wielder of the Mani Katti in my life. It hasn't reacted this way for as long as the temple has existed." The old man said as he shed tears of joy, before he was wracked by a fit of coughs. "Pay me no mind. I shall recover in time. Please, make use of the temple's resources before you go."
"Thank you, priest. We will be depending on your hospitality for a little while longer." Lyn nodded, sheathing the blade and tying the scabbard to her sash. The glow had finally subsided, much to Lyn's relief. She did not know what to do if it hadn't. Bank and Bub nodded at Lyn, taking the old man to private quarters to allow him to rest.
"Lyndis, I believe it would be wise to rest here for the night, while we have the cover of the temple. We will ride at dawn to make up for lost ground." Kent suggested to Lyn and Mark, the group moving out of the inner sanctum.
"What do you think, Mark?" Lyn turned to the tactician for his council.
"Kent, how long do you think it will take us to travel to Caelin?" Mark asked the red knight, believing the knight would have a better idea.
"We should arrive at the Lycian border in six days. Araphen is en route, so I plan to prepare a larger escort there. It should only be five more days of travel after that." Kent responded. It had only taken him and Sain ten days, but they hadn't needed to spend a day in Araphen.
"And how is the marquess' current condition?" Mark followed up, noting the logistics in his mind.
"The chancellor gave us a little more than a month at the time of our departure. He was invigorated by the news of his granddaughter, but his condition may change at any time." Kent answered, hoping Reissmann fared well back in Caelin.
"Eleven days for you to find us, eleven to return. Staying the night here should not affect our arrival by much. It would be prudent to use the temple's supplies before using up our own." Mark calculated, making his conclusion.
"Then we will rest here." Lyn decided as Bank and Bub returned from the temple's private quarters. Guy had also rejoined the group.
"We'll be going now. We'll take care of the bodies on our way out. I think Glass would have wanted to be buried with Ringue. Could you tell me where he is?" Bank asked, Guy and Bub having wrapped Glass carefully in a roughly made body bag.
"Bank, there's no rush. Why don't you stay for supper, at the very least?" Mark suggested, the thief giving the tactician a skeptical look. Bank turned to Bub and Guy, both nodding at the thief.
"Alright, we'll stay. Do any of you know how to cook?" Bank asked the group, Lyn, Izuku and Kent raising their hands. "Go look in the back rooms for ingredients. I'll get a fire started."
"Sain and Guy, stand guard outside the temple. Bub and I will look for a cart or something to keep all the bodies in one place." Mark directed as everyone went about their given task. Sain and Guy stood watch over Bank, who called them over to get some help gathering stones to form a fire pit.
After a bit of time, Bank got a soup going, the group sharing the meal. Izuku had made some ice cream for the group, getting a rare smile from Bank as he tasted the cold treat once more.
"Ah, Izuku! This is quite refreshing!" Lyn exclaimed as she tasted the ice cream. Kent and Sain agreed, nodding as they enjoyed their treat. Satisfied with their meal, Bank, Bub and Guy rose to leave.
"What are your plans after you deal with… your commitments?" Mark asked, following the thief away from the group.
"We'll head back to the academy to collect the payment for our group. Might join another mercenary group with Bub after that. I think Guy is planning on going off on his own too." Bank answered, packing his things.
"Pass this letter of recommendation along for me then. It'll prove that I am still alive and will include my current whereabouts. I wish all three of you the best." Mark said as he handed the thief a wax-sealed scroll, Izuku approached to bid farewell to the remaining mercenaries.
"Thanks, kid. Stay safe." Bank nodded, giving Mark and Izuku a final wave before leaving.
"It was nice knowing you, Izuku. I hope your journey ends well." Bub croaked, his voice completely different to what Izuku remembered. It must have been the reason why he had been silent.
"Thanks, Bub. I hope I'll see you again sometime." Izuku responded, holding his hand out for a handshake.
"I do too." Bub rasped, gripping Izuku's hand and giving it a firm shake. With that, he followed Bank, helping the thief move the cart they had loaded the bodies into. Guy motioned for Izuku to come away from the others, talking to him in secret.
"When Glass and I were ambushed, that priest hit me with a spell that made me lose control of my body. In the middle of fending off the bandits, Glass knocked me out and ran with my body to save me. When I came to, I was already back at Bulgar. He chose me over going back for all of you." Guy confessed, looking down at the ground.
"That's… that's alright, Guy. I don't think Glass regretted making that choice." Izuku said after taking a moment to choose his words carefully. It was clear that Guy felt guilty, not only for Glass' death, but for the ambush and Ringue's death as well. "Both Glass and Ringue wanted me to continue to be a hero, so I will do so in remembrance of them."
"Then I'm going to grow stronger, to continue to try and become the best swordsman in all of Sacae. I think that's what Glass would've wanted me to do too." Guy resolved, wiping away the tears that had welled up in his eyes and facing Izuku. "You better do your part too."
"I plan on it. Best of luck to you too, Guy." Izuku replied, pulling Guy into a hug. After a moment, Guy let go, turning to go with Bank and Bub. Having said their farewells, Mark and Izuku returned to find Lyn and the knights engrossed with the Mani Katti.
"This is so surreal. Perhaps the most famous sword in all of Sacae… in my hand to help me get to my grandfather." Lyn said in awe, holding the blade aloft.
"It's not so strange. I believe many legends tell similar tales… Special blades all over the land call out to their proper owners. When I saw you draw that blade, Lyndis… I felt something extraordinary. That sword was waiting for you. You were meant to draw it." Kent refuted, remembering the feeling around the altar when Lyn touched the Mani Katti.
"Kent! Stop that! I… I'm nothing special." Lyn waved the red knight off, fighting off the blush on her cheeks.
"Think of it this way: Some weapons feel more comfortable in your hand, right? Well, the Mani Katti itself feels very comfortable with you. Does that make it any easier for you to accept? It doesn't appear that either of us trigger the same effects. Izuku even touched it and it didn't do anything." Sain tried to reason. The sword did react to Izuku, just not visibly. Voicing it now wouldn't help matters, so Izuku kept that tidbit of information to himself.
"It… does feel right in my hand. A blade that only I can wield. Ah, Mark. Have a look. This is… my sword. I must care for it well." Lyn slowly came to agree, noticing Mark returning and presenting the Mani Katti to him. Their conversation brought Izuku's thoughts to the sword on his back. Glass' faith in him to become a hero, in the very weapon the mercenary had used. Their night ended under the cover of the temple, with thoughts of worthiness and legacies.
The idyllic scene of the castle gardens was ruined by a soldier hurriedly marching through the castle, bearing bad news. Meeting his employer in a hall out of sight of the usual retainers, he whispered to his lord's ear.
"What? Madelyn's daughter is still alive?" Lord Lundgren cut an imposing figure, with his lavender armour and silver cape. His brow was furrowed in anger.
"Uhh… Yes, Lord Lundgren. The girl is travelling with Kent and Sain. What are your orders? If we let them be…" The soldier nodded hesitantly, not sure he wanted to finish his sentence in the presence of his lord.
"Bah! I've heard that northern Bern is full of bandits. She's just a girl. She'll not survive her journey here. I'm more concerned with my older brother. His life must end quickly. The poison… There must be no blunders." Lundgren slammed his fist into the wall beside him, leaving a dent in the stone.
"Yes, m'lord. He suspects nothing and continues to drink it. The marquess' death, due no doubt to 'sudden illness', is not far off." The soldier reported, glad to divert the topic.
"Heh heh heh. Soon… Soon Caelin will be mine!" Lundgren cackled as he left the soldier behind, off to attend some duties in his brother's absence.
With the priest's blessing, the group rode west, towards Lycia. A mountain range separated the Sacae Plains from Bern. Many bandits lurked in the area, the cruellest of which are the Taliver. They were a plague to both nations, one whose savagery Lyn swore to eradicate. Luckily, their group had travelled unaccosted so far.
"I'm glad the priest knew a faster route through the mountains. Sain and I had to go around the foot of the mountains on our way here. I believe this should save us two days of travel at the least. He mentioned a town on the way which we can use to replenish our supplies." Kent said, pleased that their mission can be completed even faster than he expected. It had been the third day since they had set out from the temple, expecting to find the town the priest had mentioned.
"This place… it's…" Lyn couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence. The town was in complete disrepair. One of the homes completely lacked a wall. There wasn't a single sign of life.
"The entire area is in ruins. Why doesn't their marquess do anything to help?" Sain questioned, his lackadaisical smile replaced with a look of disbelief.
"The Taliver Mountain is home to vicious, ruthless bandits. No marquess holds power here. My tribe was at the base of the north side of the mountain. My people were… The Taliver bandits came at night. It took only one night. The survivors numbered less than ten, including me." Lyn explained, her expression immediately shifted into one of anger. "They're soulless beasts. I will never forgive them. Never."
"Lyndis…" Sain frowned. Kent had no words, his brow furrowing at the sight of the town.
"I am not running away. I will be back… someday. I'll be stronger… I will break their blades beneath me like twigs beneath a stallion's hooves. I will avenge my people. I'll do everything in my power to eradicate them." Lyn resolved, clenching her stallion's reins in a death grip.
"When the time comes, bring me with you." Sain said without hesitation, turning to Lyn with a determined glare.
"Don't forget me, either." Kent concurred, not missing a beat.
"Sain… Kent…" Lyn gasped, turning to the knights in disbelief.
"Take us as well. Izuku and I have no love for bandits. We would be honoured to help you in your quest." Mark said behind her.
"Oh! You too, Mark? I… You're… Thank you." Lyn fumbled her words for a moment, before simply thanking her new friends for their help. Taking a moment to recompose herself, he whipped the reins of her horse, moving past the ruined town.
"Wait, Lyndis. Be on guard. There seems to be some sort of commotion over there." Kent suddenly dashed ahead of Lyn's horse, stopping it before it could move away from the cover of the large stone wall separating them from the noise.
"Wait right there, little lady! What are you and your friend going to do to apologize? Huh?" A gruff male voice yelled, far too aggressive to be up to any good.
"Uh… I… That is, I…" A meek female voice tried to respond, stumbling over her words. Lyn and company could barely hear her from where they were.
"Hey, they're quite a catch, eh, buddy? I bet the boss'd give us a pretty penny for each of them." Another male voice pondered aloud.
"Yeah. She roughed me up a bit, so I figure fair's fair. It's no more'n she deserves." The first voice responded, followed by a slurping noise that immediately drew a look of disgust from Lyn.
"What are we gonna do with their flying mule?" The second male voice asked his compatriot.
"Sell it, of course! Pegasi can only be found in Ilia. They're rare beasts, worth more than these two combined! We can sell it for a mountain of gold!" The first answered, unleashing a raucous laugh. The mention of a pegasi piqued Lyn's attention.
"Don't touch him!" A new female voice asserted, carrying a unique frog-like verbal tic which caused a flash of recognition in Izuku.
"What? You watch your mouth, girlie!" The second male voice growled. Izuku gave a look to Lyn and Mark, the plainswoman already dismounted, prepared to move out and see what was going on. Izuku did the same, taking a position on her flank. With a nod from Mark, the two of them left the cover of the wall. Mark would show himself with the knights if the situation got out of hand.
"Florina? Is that you, Florina?" Lyn shouted to the pegasus knight.
"Ah! Lyn?" Florina asked as the pegasus galloped over the two men surrounding it, landing in front of Lyn as the rider practically leapt off its back at the Sacaen. Florina was a young girl with fair skin, blue eyes and long wisteria-coloured hair. She wore a thigh-length white dress covered by blue shoulder and chest plates. Her ensemble was completed by blue thigh-high riding boots.
"Florina! What are you doing in a place such as this?" Lyn exclaimed as she caught the small pegasus rider. Izuku was surprised to see a familiar face atop the pegasus.
"Asui?" Izuku inquired. It was Izuku's frog-like classmate, or at least, he thought so. Many of her more outlandish features that made her stand out were toned down. Her large eyes were less pronounced, her hands more fitting of her stature and her back no longer hunched. Before, she would have been undoubtedly considered cute, but now, she was stunning. She wore a green tunic with white sleeves and a red-striped long skirt with a light green apron on the front fastened by a belt. In her hands she held a wooden staff tipped by a blue orb.
"Deku? Is that really you?" The inexpressive girl asked with slightly widened eyes. Izuku knew this was probably the closest thing to a reaction he would get from her, due to no fault of her own. Her quirk had simply made it so.
"Florina! Tsu! Are you two alright? I'm sorry, I didn't know you two had landed!" Before he could confirm Tsuyu's suspicions, another familiar voice came from the sky as someone in a burgundy cowl with distinctive blush marks atop a wooden staff landed next to the pegasus, her eyes nearly bulging out of her skull comically as she saw who she landed in front of.
"Deku/Uraraka?!" The two shouted, pointing fingers at each other. Izuku could barely believe his eyes.
Mark decided now was the right time to leave the cover of the wall, the presence of the knights dissuading the ruffians from taking advantage of the confusion. Izuku, unable to hold back his emotions upon seeing his old friends again, started bawling.
"Come on, Izuku. You're making a bad first impression." Mark rode next to the boy, holding out a handkerchief for him. "We can introduce ourselves later, what happened here?"
"Yes, Florina, what happened?" Lyn coaxed from the pegasus knight. She had taken a step away, shielding the girl from Mark and the knights. The tactician assumed Lyn had her reasons.
"Well… um… I wanted your help. Then I saw this village… I flew down to ask if they knew where you were. I didn't see those two until… well…" Florina explained, taking multiple pauses between her words. She seemed to flinch every time she looked away from Lyn or Izuku's classmates.
"Did you land on them?" Lyn asked, connecting the dots rather easily.
"Well… it was such a narrow clearing, and they just walked into the middle of the road when I was about to land with Tsuyu…" Florina admitted, fidgeting with her hands.
"Aha! You heard her! She admits her fault! She could've killed my friend with her mule, and now she's got to pay!" The ruffian accused, having gained some bravado.
"Did you apologize, Florina?" Lyn ignored the ruffian, addressing her friend.
"Yes, I told them I was sorry many times over. They just wouldn't listen…" Florina teared up, soothed by Lyn massaging her back.
"Don't cry. It's all right." Lyn assured, turning to the ruffians. "Listen, she's obviously sorry. Can't we just let this pass? You don't appear to be injured."
"No chance! You think you can just waltz in and take our score?! The girl and her mule come with us–by force!" The leader snarled until a fireball exploded at his feet.
"We won't go down that easily!" Uraraka threatened; the head of her staff smoking from having released the fireball.
"Tch! C'mon out boys! Get rid of the men and leave the girls!" The leader clicked his tongue as he backed off, a whistle summoning bandits from the ruins around them.
"Mark, I've decided. We will get rid of these bandits before they can harm another village. Will you help me, Florina?" Lyn asserted, turning to the tactician and her friend.
"O-of course, Lyn!" The pegasus knight stuttered, hopping onto her mount while Asui got off, not wanting to impede Florina's combat ability.
"Alright, Kent and Sain, take the lead. I need to familiarize myself with our new allies before I deploy them." Mark commanded, sending the knights to cover their backs while he figured out what his three new allies did.
"Lyn… Who's that?" Florina pondered as she watched the tactician command their allies.
"This is Mark. He's still an apprentice, but he's my tactician." Lyn introduced, turning Mark's attention to them.
"Oh, I see… Uh… Mark, I'm pleased to meet you." The pegasus rider nodded, shrinking when he waved back at her.
"Lyn, please go and warn that village to barricade themselves." Mark directed before the pegasus knight turned to him, unsure if she should voice her thoughts.
"Um… Mark. Could I go with Lyn?" Florina asked, bringing a frown to the tactician's face. He would've liked to ascertain the pegasus rider's abilities while Lyn went alone.
"Ah, I'm sorry Mark. Florina is a little uncomfortable around men. Would you mind if she fought alongside me?" Lyn explained, an apologetic smile on her face.
"That makes sense. By all means, go ahead. I have no doubt you two will be just fine combat-wise." Mark nodded, Florina shying away from him and the knights making sense in hindsight. With a nod, Lyn hopped on the back of Florina's pegasus as the two went to warn the villages.
"Now, for you two… I see you've some skill in magic, Uraraka?" Mark turned to Asui and Uraraka.
"Yes, I'm a mage. Mark, right? Nice to meet you." Uraraka nodded, greeting the tactician.
"The pleasure's mine. And Asui, I believe that is a heal staff? You must be a cleric." Mark bowed from atop Lyn's horse, turning to address the other girl.
"Yes, at your service." The frog-like girl confirmed with a ribbit, curtseying to the tactician.
"Sorry, the two ladies sent me over. Are you Mark?" A brown haired young man asked as he approached the group. He wore a blue tunic underneath his olive-coloured pauldron.
"Yes, that's me. I assume you want to help with the bandits?" Mark nodded, noting the man's bow and quiver.
"She wasn't joking when she said you were sharp." The man chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Yes, my name is Wil. I'm a travelling archer. That village treated me well and I'd like to repay the favour."
"I see, I'll draw up a plan now." The tactician nodded, looking to the skies as Lyn and Florina returned. Addressing the plainswoman specifically, he held a simple parchment in her direction with a roughly drawn map. "Lyn, how many enemies did you spot up there?"
"Nine, including the two that we met earlier. Two had bows, three with swords and four with axes." Lyn replied as she hopped off the pegasus and pointed out the nine spots where she had last seen the enemy from the air.
"I got it… Wil, you and Florina will take out the bandit hiding behind the wall." Mark took a second before drawing up a plan, directing the archer and the pegasus knight, before turning to the archer specifically. "Make sure your arrow flies first, alright?"
"Huh? Of course. I'm not going to shoot at my allies." Wil responded, unsure why the tactician would give him that order. Seeing the look of confusion on the archer's face, Mark waved him over and crouched on the horse to whisper into the archer's ear.
"Florina has a terrible fear of men, on top of being a pegasus rider. Even if you're an ally, I want to make sure she can work as well as she can." Mark explained, changing the frown on the archer's face to an understanding smile.
"Ah, I see what you mean. Will do." The archer nodded, Mark's expression turning to one of shock.
"Did you really just make a pun? Now?!" The answer was written on Wil's face as he flashed a wink at the aghast tactician. "Just… go."
Without needing another word, the archer quickly climbed atop the wall, drawing an arrow from his bow and nailing the bandit in the shoulder.
"Florina, take him out!" Mark ordered, the pegasus rider arming herself with a slim lance and taking to the skies.
"The rest of us will push forward! Let's move!" At his command, Kent and Sain pushed forward, charging into the corridor and running through a bandit with a bow. "You three can catch up for now. I'm pretty sure the knights and I can take care of things."
"No, we'll help. We can just catch up later." Izuku decided, moving to follow the knights. His desire to help didn't surprise Uraraka or Asui, who followed after him.
"So many people are coming together under my banner. I hope I can lead them well." Lyn confided in Mark as she hopped onto her horse behind the tactician as he trotted toward the battle. She had leaned in closer than she typically did when they rode together, finding comfort in his soft cape and scarf. Mark immediately fought a blush that found its way to his cheeks, his cape and scarf doing little to reduce the effect of Lyn's ample chest pushing into his back.
"We'll all be with you until the end of this journey, Lyn. If Izuku's friends coincidentally arrived with your old friend Florina, I imagine it's the work of fate." The tactician responded, not letting his baser thoughts distract him.
"I see. Thank you again, Mark. I am blessed to have you with me." Lyn nodded, shaking off her doubts and hopping off the horse to rush into battle.
"She really doesn't know the effect she has on people…" Mark sighed as he rubbed his face, hoping the blush had disappeared. He had to get back to directing the battle. For Lyn's sake, if nothing else.
Kent had retreated after taking an arrow to the arm, yanking it out for Asui to heal him. Mark was surprised to see Uraraka blasting bandits left and right with fireballs while Wil peppered them with arrows from above. Sain and Izuku dealt with Wil's marks while Florina and Lyn made short work of Uraraka's targets. It finally came down to one bandit, the one who had tried to capture and sell Florina and her pegasus in the first place.
"I only have one question for you; are you Taliver bandits?" Lyn demanded, pointing at him with the Mani Katti, the rest of the bandits having run or routed.
"Taliver? Those greedy monsters? We're nothing like them! Those fiends will even kill women and children! We're from Ganelon, and we know a little something of honour. We don't harm women, for one thing. Heh heh heh. After all, why kill what you can sell?" He cackled, earning another look of disgust from the plainswoman.
"If you're not Taliver, then there's no reason for you to die here today. If you would like to tuck your tail and flee, do so now." Lyn sighed as she sheathed the Mani Katti.
"You… You… No more courtesies! You're going to learn to watch your tongue!" The bandit yelled as he lunged at Lyn with his steel axe. He was surprised to see, or rather, not see Lyn where his axe was. He heard the click of a sword being sheathed and found his chest slashed open.
"You'll live to regret this… My brothers… The Ganelon bandits will not let this stand…" He coughed as he fell over, his life snuffed by the Sword of Spirits.
"It seems we have a lot to unpack…" Lyn turned to her allies, her eyes on three in particular. "So, Florina, what did you need my help with?"
"Do you remember the knighting ceremony of the Pegasus Knights of Ilia?" The wisteria-haired girl asked, having dismounted her flying steed.
"Yes, you join a band of freelance soldiers to further your training as a knight. Is that what brought you here?" Lyn recalled, connecting the dots.
"Uh-huh. I wanted to see if you could join me. I met Ochaco and Tsuyu and they agreed to help me. But when I went to where your ger was, it wasn't there anymore. I was worried and looked for you." The pegasus knight explained, standing the furthest away from the group, though Mark made sure that Uraraka and Asui were in between her and the rest of them.
"Thank you Florina, but I have other obligations at the moment. I just discovered I have a grandfather. I'm going to meet him in Caelin." Lyn thanked before her expression soured.
"Oh, Lyn! That's wonderful! But I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do now. I've always dreamt of being like my sisters and having a squadron of my own. I was so close too…" Florina frowned, beginning to tear up.
"Florina… Don't cry…" Lyn wrapped the smaller girl in a hug, wiping Florina's face with her hand.
"Yes! There's no reason to give up on your dream!" Sain materialized next to the two, having snuck past the Uraraka-Asui barrier without anyone noticing. "Lovely Florina! I have the most brilliant idea! You should come with us! With the addition of Wil here, we're a fine group of soldiers, and freelance to boot!"
"Wait, did you just include me?" The archer in question asked, pointing to himself as Kent facepalmed in shame. Sain, reducing his status as a knight to a mere soldier so he could hit on another girl. The more the red knight thought about it, his green companion was not above such tactics at all.
"Of course! We were destined to meet here! It's fate! Come now, Lyndis' band of mercenaries is as good a training group as you will find anywhere!" Sain violently turned around to face the archer, giving Lyn a chance to shield Florina from his intensity.
"He's… interesting." Asui said to Uraraka and Izuku aloud.
"We actually met him when he hit on Lyn." Izuku explained, rubbing the back of his head in second-hand embarrassment.
"Sain, this is no joking matter!" Kent had stepped in, pulling Sain back by his collar to rein the green knight in.
"Lyndis' mercenaries? I thought-" Florina looked up at Lyn for an answer, the plainswoman struck by a moment of indecision.
"I can give you details later. This is all a bit rushed. However… Sain is right. Would you like to come with us, Florina?" Lyn responded, reluctantly agreeing with the flirtatious knight's proposal.
"Travel with you, Lyn? Truly? I would be so… so happy!" Florina exclaimed, igniting a flame within the green knight.
"Fantastic! Beauteous Florina! I am a knight of Caelin!" Sain declared as he flipped Kent over his shoulder, slamming the red knight into the ground. The sudden display of strength surprised Uraraka and Asui, though Izuku caught Mark's glance and caught onto the tactician's improvised contingency.
"My name is Sai-hrrk!" The green knight managed as Mark's scarf appeared around his neck, Izuku and the tactician pulling Sain back before he could invade Florina's personal space again.
With a groan of effort, Kent got onto his feet, bowing to Lyn and Florina. "I beg your forgiveness. Calling us mercenaries…"
"No, I approve. It'd be a shame to separate Izuku and his friends so soon. But you must be aware of Florina's issues already, no? Can I count on you to help with it?" Lyn refused with a look of concern as the red knight dusted himself off.
"Yes! You have but to ask, Lyndis." Kent bowed once more before Wil interjected himself.
"So… Is it really all right if I travel with you?" The archer asked sheepishly. It felt like he was the odd one out of the group.
"Oh, yes! Of course, if you're willing!" Lyn nodded, unknowingly having made a pun.
"Really? I would be honoured to count myself one of Lyndis' Legion!" Wil's expression immediately brightened. Mark shook his head, fearing that this would not be the end of Wil's pun-related antics.
"'Lyndis' Legion'? This is getting stranger every day, isn't it, Mark?" Lyn beamed, looking at Izuku and the tactician, the two having successfully restrained the green knight.
"And we still haven't dealt with the biggest issue." Mark said, releasing Sain from his restraints and wrapping the scarf back around his own neck.
"I suppose you're right." Lyn admitted, knowing the tactician was referring to the two who had travelled with Florina. "I think the easiest way would be introducing us all, don't you think, Izuku?"
"Ah? Um… sure!" Izuku immediately went stiff, unsure where to even begin. He was saved by a light jab from Mark to the ribs.
"So… Uraraka, Asui. This is Mark. He's the first person I met here. He's a tactician… or strategist, if that makes it easier to understand. He taught me a lot of things about Elibe." Izuku started, Mark bowing to the girls.
"I said you could call me by my first name, Deku." Asui interjected, flustering Izuku. "And you too, Mark. Please call me Tsuyu."
"Ah… I would be honoured, Tsuyu. If you two would like to go over other details, I would be pleased to help." Mark paused, replying with an easy smile.
"A-and this is Lyn. She helped out Mark and I and now we're repaying the favour. She reminds me of Yaoyorozu, actually." Izuku stuttered as the girls finally got a good look at Lyn. They thought Izuku was referring to her hairstyle… and then they looked down. Ah… Izuku was a young man, after all. Catching onto the girls' thoughts, Izuku's face reddened.
"This is Kent and Sain. They came from Caelin to find Lyn. They're actually knights." Izuku moved on to the knights, Kent bowing his head while Sain flashed the girls a wink.
"This is A-Tsuyu and Uraraka. They are my friends." Izuku said, introducing them to the rest of the party.
"Tsuyu Asui, cleric at your service. Please call me Tsuyu." The frog-like girl croaked with a curtsy.
"Ochaco Uraraka, a mage. If we're on a first-name basis, please call me Ochaco as well." The brown-haired girl said shyly, flustering Izuku by proximity. Mark simply smiled smugly as he nodded in Izuku's direction. The tactician was onto him. Hopefully, he could pass off his reaction as a Japanese thing. Hopefully.
"Pleasure to make everyone's acquaintances. Now let's get on the road. We still have plenty of time before sunset." Mark asserted, sending everyone into a scramble to prepare to set off.
With a quick round of commands, the formation was decided. Lyn would ride with Florina while Asui rode with Mark. The tactician would do his best to explain geography and other concepts verbally as Ochaco would glide alongside them with her staff. It seemed that Bramimond taught her how to use her fire magic to propel the staff in the air. Izuku continued to ride with Kent, while Sain and Wil rode together, the two of them getting along surprisingly well as they rode ahead.
"Hey… Deku?" Ochaco probed as she floated next to Kent. The red knight was fascinated by her ability to fly, but chose not to pry so he could focus on directing his horse.
"Uraraka?!" Izuku nearly screamed, not so much surprised by the sight of her floating, but rather her presence in general. "Um… You can call me Izuku like everyone else. Weren't you going to get up to speed with Mark and Tsuyu?"
"But you're still calling me by my last name…" The floating girl pouted, the pang of guilt piercing the freckled boy like an arrow. "I think I'm gonna wait until we make camp so Mark can use his visuals. I'm not smart like you or Tsu."
"T-that's not true, Och-Uraraka! You're very smart… and beautiful… and kind." Izuku rambled on, momentarily forgetting who was in his presence.
"Ah! I'm sorry! You probably don't want to hear that from me!" Izuku exclaimed as he slowly looked up at Ochaco. The girl's pout had morphed to a look of surprise, her blush growing to encompass her entire face in a light pink. "Uraraka?"
"Hai-IIIIIIIII!" The floating girl immediately perked up before the end of her staff blazed, sending the brunette straight at Sain's horse.
"Sain! Behind you!" Kent shouted, the green knight turning his steed perfectly to catch Ochaco before she could hurt herself. Unfortunately, it didn't stop the end of her staff from stabbing him in the side.
"Are you alright, lady Ochaco?" The green knight asked with a charming smile, only marred by the trickle of blood coming out of the corner of his mouth.
"I'm okay. Thanks, Sain." Ochaco replied as her hands rubbed her cheeks, slowly pushing the blush back to their regular size.
"I think the better question would be if you are alright, Sain." Wil commented behind him, having borne witness to the cavalier's injury up close.
"Of… course, I'm fine Wil! A knight of Caelin should be able to withstand this much!" Sain struggled to answer, clearly in more pain than he let on.
"I'm inclined to believe otherwise. Grit your teeth." Mark ordered as the tactician trotted up with Tsuyu to heal the cavalier's wounds. With a nod from Sain, the tactician yanked the staff free, causing the knight's eyes to widen before he relaxed from the soothing feeling of Tsuyu's staff.
"You have my thanks, most kind Tsuyu." Sain bowed as Ochaco got back on her staff, floating on it once more. "And for you, Ochaco, do not fear fleeing to my arms again."
"Eh? Thanks, Sain?" Ochaco responded as she regained control of the staff, going back to her position beside Izuku and Kent. "Sorry about that. I lost control of my magic for a second."
"Actually, I wanted to ask you about your magic, Ocha-Uraraka." Izuku asked curiously. He was glad Tsuyu was around to take care of mistakes like that.
"Well, it's a long story that starts with Bramimond."
Special thanks to GoldenWitch for beta-ing the chapter! Don't forget to check out her fanfic, Ghosts of the Body.
Look forward to the next chapter!