Part One: Concepts of A New Dawn
Blue Sea Moon
Chapter Six: Clearing the Rubble
After celebrating and thanking their new friends from the Empire, Maira and the Emerald Sharks traveled back to the monastery. In the following days the people of Fodlan heard about the Emerald Sharks triumph over the Royalists with the help of the Empire. It baffled many. But it also helped to pacify the Council of Six who had handed out the new assignments to Byleth who soon would call in the houses to deal them out.
"I helped you out and this is how you repay me?" an angry Demeter confronted Finn.
"Demeter, I had no choice! It was an assignment." Finn struggled to explain.
"You could've told me. It was my mom's life on the line. Don't you think I should've known!" Demeter yelled.
"It was supposed to be a secret." Finn explained.
"You embarrassed the Holy Church State! Empire and Meritocracy people rescued us. It makes us look weak and incompetent." Demeter argued.
"Everyone knows the threat that the Knights of Seiros pose!" Finn argued back.
"You hurt me, Finn, and you hurt the Holy Church State. I won't undo my favor, but never expect another from me." Demeter said before leaving.
"That isn't going to end well." Finn sighed to himself.
Maira and the Sharks walked into Byleth's chambers not knowing what to expect. After the last two months they couldn't know what to expect. It had been rough.
"Let's hope your father has good news. Last month was too reminiscent of a mission from your father's past. I hope that nothing like that is coming our way. I can't handle another war on this land." Sothis said to Maira.
"I don't want a war either." Maira told Sothis. "I just want to teach my students and work by my father's side."
"Yes, that would be preferable. Though I admit it was fun to see Ferdinand and Dorothea last month. Those two were close to your father." Sothis said.
Finally Byleth entered the giant room.
"Hello Headmaster. Duke Aegir and Dorothea both send their regards. They were wonderful. And they spoke very highly of you." Atamai greeted Byleth.
"Dorothea was wonderful, don't you guys think?" Fetu said.
"She was stunning. And Duke Aegir was also very kind. Working with the two of them was a true joy." Fiafia added.
"Good. In my teaching days Ferdinand and Dorothea were quite talented. Not unlike the students here now." Byleth smiled at the students. "Now we should speak of your assignment."
"Did the Council of Six make our lives harder?" Olaga asked.
"No, it would seem some of their minds have changed. They are giving you a relatively simple assignment this month. Honestly, I think that it's been quiet all over Fodlan. So the council member of the Abyssal Congregation specifically requested you. It would seem there is a bandit problem in the Northern Abyssal region. I think Yuri wants to see the house that he helped out in action." Byleth said.
Finn gave an audible sigh of relief. "Good, an easier assignment. We could really use it."
"Wait, when you say Yuri wants to see us in action, does that mean that Yuri will be there with us?" Keola asked.
"From what I remember about Yuri I would be led to believe that is probably accurate." Byleth said.
"What could he want with us?" Malosi asked.
"If I would have to venture a guess, he would want to see if the Meritocracy should be more closely linked to the Abyssal Congregation moving forward." Keola suggested.
"Meaning that this month isn't going to be easier for us after all." Kai sighed.
"I don't think it's going to be as dire as last month, Kai." Olaga said. "From what I've heard about him through my dad I think Yuri is just curious. But we should still watch out because nobody really does know what is going through this head."
"Olaga's right. We should do what we always do, bring our A game. It doesn't matter if this was going to be an easier or harder mission, we are going to bring the same amount of energy we always do." Finn decided.
"That is exactly right." Byleth agreed. "Now you are all dismissed."
The first thing that Maira did with the month was work on reclassing the Emerald Sharks. It was time for them to move into Intermediate classes. Finn was promoted to Mage as was Malosi. Atamai became a Dark Mage. Fiafia became a Pegasus Knight. Olaga became a Brigand. Penina and Fetu both became Priests but decided to alternate. Penina also became a Thief while Fetu also certified to become a Pirate. Keola, like Olaga became a Brigand. While Kai became an Archer. The team was handling their new classes well. Maira was doing a great job, everyone felt comfortable in their roles and adapting to make sure each person trained with someone that would bring out different skills. That was the best that she could do to prepare them for battle. Occasionally, she would be challenged by a student to a duel. Before they were easy to defeat. But now they were harder to get through, whenever Finn would challenge Maira would always be scared. He came close once but faltered and Maira was able to take him down. Atamai challenged once, he did a good job but was too prideful to defend himself enough and admit he was weaker when she got in close. Fiafia also tried once. She wasn't a fan of that, Fiafia didn't do well, only because she couldn't stand to batter Maira up a bit. Olaga challenged fairly regularly and had the power to back it up but was just a little too slow. Penina was a fair challenge, but she over thought it when she should have just used brute strength. Fetu tried once only because Finn made him. He kept up but he was made for healing primarily. He could handle enemies but not the harder generals, but to be fair that wouldn't be his job. Keola was also a challenge, but he was like Olaga, a little slow. Malosi fared equally as well as Keola but he tried to use too much strength and not enough strategy. And Kai, well he did well, and his weapon made him more focused then he would normally be, but Maira still had an intimidation factor that he couldn't ignore. But they were all getting close to beating her. And she couldn't wait for that day.
Finn was in a deep conversation with Lawe and Hukai when Maira stopped to ask what was happening.
"Oh, hello Polopeka. You are just in time to wish the two of them off." Finn said.
"You're leaving?" Maira questioned.
"Briefly, Her Majesty needs us back in Kapena. There is nothing serious, she just wants a status update from the two of us." Lawe explained.
"Yep we will be back next month though." Hukai added.
"You're sure there is nothing that I should know?" Finn asked. It seemed this wasn't the only time he had asked this question.
"Yes, if there was, I would tell you." Lawe was starting to get frustrated.
"Just keep everyone in one piece while we are gone. Keep an extra eye on Fiafia for me, will you?" Hukai requested.
"Got it. Well tell Oceania if she needs me I am ready and waiting." Finn said.
"We will. Now we must be on our way. Good bye Your Majesty, you too Maira." Lawe said.
"See ya Maira." Hukai added, then the two left.
"It is strange hearing them call me Your Majesty and you Maira." Finn said. "I was born a commoner, we used to call people Your Majesty as a joke."
"Well you have come a long way. And as for them calling me Maira, our relationship is different, they aren't my students so it makes sense for them to call me by my name." Maira explained.
"I guess. Did you need me?" Finn asked.
"No, I was just wandering. I do that before a battle. And ours approaches soon." Maira said.
"That it does indeed." Finn agreed. "Come on, let's go to the dining hall, I'm starving, which coincidentally is not something I used to joke about when I was a commoner."
Under the advice of Byleth, Maira and the Emerald Sharks departed from Garreg Mach earlier than the other houses left. They met with Yuri in the Abyssal capital, Souter. Which Maira didn't realize was pronounced Soo-tear. Abyss was originally underneath Garreg Mach, but there was still a large portion underground. And that is where Souter was, it was a bustling underground city. It was a true spectacle, the light came from the sun, kind of. There was a giant crystal that bounced sunlight that shimmered on the gems underground and illuminated the city along with the torches. Their party was met in the city streets by Yuri and a very confident woman wearing feathers and had curly blonde hair. Her smile looked evil but it was more condescending than anything.
"So this is the future of the Naval Meritocracy?" the blonde lady laughed.
"It is indeed Constance. I wonder if they have what it takes." Yuri said, staring directly at Finn, occasionally glancing at Maira. Yuri wore a pale purple cape that came over one of his shoulders. The cape was held by a string with a white stone pendant. His breast plate was simple except for the wolf's head embedded into his exposed shoulder. His purple pants were thick but tight and went down to his mid thigh. He wore pointed white boots that went to his knees. The soles of his shoes were purple.
"President Leclerc, we are honored for you to welcome us to Souter." Finn kneeled before Yuri.
This certainly shocked Yuri, who obviously wasn't used to getting this kind of respect. "Ha! I must admit, of the heirs to greet me, besides Akemi, you are my favorite so far. Not many truly respect the Abyssal Congregation."
"Well any ruler that has been chosen by their people to lead them deserves respect." Finn said, getting up. "I would love to learn about Abyssal culture while we are here."
"Well I will accompany you throughout Souter while you are here." Constance said. "The President is busy and I do not have to return to the Nuvelle district until I bring you all and the President there to take care of those bandits."
"Yes, I am itching for battle though. I miss it, do not be eager to take control, nobody tells you of the paperwork." Yuri hit his head with his palm.
"Which you agreed to do when you told me of this cockamamie idea!" Constance waved her hand.
"Yes, I will get on that. Now have fun until we depart, it will be interesting." Yuri smiled before leaving.
"Come along now! There is much to see. If we hurry I can show you one of my fantastic spells." Constance bragged.
"You've devised your own spell!" Atamai was shocked.
"Indeed I have! I can see you have great taste!" she smiled.
"Can you teach me?" Atamai asked.
"Maybe one day. But even now we are on a schedule. It's best if you visit one day and I will teach you." Constance said genuinely.
"I would like that very much." Atamai said with a grin.
"So what do you think?" a man with short cropped golden hair and a scar perpendicular to his left eyebrow. He was muscular and wore heavy armor with electric blue accents on his hands, shoulders and breastplate.
"It's interesting. To be honest I expected someone weaker from the Naval Meritocracy. But I could feel him shifting himself and his features so I couldn't read him. He even caught me by surprise by kneeling." Yuri smirked.
"Catching you by surprise? That hasn't happened in a long time. Only against Claude, Edelgard, and Akemi has that ever happened." the man said.
"Where did he come from? If he is the next generation, then I need to know more." Yuri sighed.
"But do you think you can trust him?" the man said.
"Honestly, I think so. From what Akemi told me, I think he could be a powerful ally." Yuri admitted.
"Well then you should trust your instincts. They are always correct and that is why the people love you." The man encouraged Yuri.
"Oh I trust myself. I will have a better answer after I see him battle. That will really tell me." Yuri said finally after being in thought.
Very quickly the time for battle was upon them. Constance took the Sharks and met with Yuri before going aboveground. From there they rode to Castle Nuvelle. At Castle Nuvelle they rested before marching north to meet the bandits.
"There are many bandits." Yuri said.
"Why are we doing this at night?" Fetu asked.
"For me." Constance said. She didn't look like she wanted to elaborate.
"Also it gives the advantage of a surprise attack." Yuri, Finn, Atamai, Penina, and Maira all said at the same time.
"It was that obvious wasn't it?" Yuri laughed.
"I guess." Finn laughed with him.
"Alright then. I am just another sword in this fight. Finn, tell us what to do." Yuri said.
"President Yuri, you, Fetu, Kai, and I will approach from the south after all of you are already in the camp ready to strike. We are going to be efficient." Finn ordered.
"Finn, if they organize enough you are going to be easy pickings. So what are you going to do to prevent that?" Penina asked. "I suggest using that to draw fire so you can have another group attack from the side and wipe out any opposition they can muster."
"A girl after my own heart." Yuri smiled which made Penina blush.
"An excellent suggestion, Penina. Finn, I think Constance and Atamai are the best candidates for the job." Maira said.
"I agreed. Atamai, I assume there are no objections there." Finn looked at Atamai.
"I would love to work closely with a mage on your power level Lady Nuvelle." Atamai smiled.
"Lady Nuvelle! Boy if she demands to be called that I will never forgive you." Yuri said with fear.
"Yuri, after all I do the least you can do is name me Lady Nuvelle." Constance complained which made Yuri glare at Atamai.
"All right, let's head to our positions." Maira said.
Hiding in the camp was pretty easy. They had taken positions throughout the camp and were waiting for the signal to get started. Then it came. A single blast of dark energy into the sky. They all attacked at once. Malosi blasted a tent over with fire and started to light the tents on fire, injuring and shocking the enemies. His occasional uses of Bolganonne were devastating, the larger fire magic swirling on the ground and sending flaming foes flying across the camp. Malosi was creating pure fiery chaos in the camp and it was perfect. The chaos allowed Olaga, Keola, Penina, and Fiafia to do great work. The unprepared bandits couldn't handle their power. For this battle Penina had become a Priest to heal up if necessary. But it also gave her access to the blinding Nosferatu which tripped up a few enemies and Wind to send foes soaring and fanning the flames. Keola was a demon in the night. His axe was a devastating force, no enemy could survive it. Even those who could strike back couldn't handle his skill and power. The six of them were wreaking havoc, but the soldiers were recovering which meant the second part was ready because on the hill above Yuri, Maira, Finn, and Kai were rushing the bandits.
Finn was sending blasts of all sorts of elemental magic towards the enemy. Any bandit rushing upward was created by a mixture of fire, wind, water, and lightning. Not to mention that Kai was sending his spirit arrows straight into the enemy. The blasts from the arrows were as bright as the moon. Yuri and Maira were really able to work well with this. The combination of the dazed enemies, uphill advantage, and Kai and Finn's unrelenting barrage of damage made their opponent's easy pickings. Maira had to admit that Yuri was just better with a sword than she was. His movements were fluid and calculating. He didn't make mistakes, in fact he made enemies make mistakes. He moved so enemies would have no choice but to make risky gambits that could be capitalized on. It almost wasn't fair. But Maira was also doing a great job. Her sword was also claiming many bandits' lives. Now it seemed that the bandits were making a more concentrated effort to climb the hill, but suddenly a giant blue blade came from the sky and decimated the enemies.
"Agnea's Arrow. An impressive spell." Atamai was clearly impressed. He followed it up by using Banshee Θ and wiping out a horde of bandits.
"I never could handle dark magic. Black magic was always calling to me." Constance praised Atamai. She then cast Fimbulvetr, a large blast of ice erupted over the field. "I love that spell."
"You are truly impressive." Atamai complimented Constance.
"Thank you. Finally someone is recognizing my brilliance." Constance cackled. For the next few minutes they worked tirelessly casting spells on the enemies until they stopped trying to climb the hill and then they stopped trying to climb the hill and started to run away. Atamai was about to cast another spell when Constance stopped him. "They are in Kingdom territory now. They are no longer our problem."
"They are making their retreat, we can't take them out before then." Finn said.
"No, they are entering Kingdom territory soon, they are no longer our concern." Yuri said. "You've done well."
"Thank you, President Yuri." Finn said.
"I think one day, when you lead the Naval Meritocracy you should reach out." Yuri said.
"I will. Thank you for that. Would you like me to talk to Oceania and put the two of you in touch?" Finn asked.
"No, I don't trust that woman." Yuri said which made Finn frown. "But for this I can't leave you unpaid. I will tell you a secret about Abyss. The Forge, the place where the Neo-Heroes Relics were born, is in Souter. Not many know that but now you do."
"That is interesting. Thank you, President Yuri." Finn said.
"In the future, just call me Yuri, you too." Yuri said to Maira. "Come on Lady Nuvelle, I want to see something at your castle."
"Goodbye friends. Atamai, I will hold you to visiting my castle one day." Constance smiled.
"I can't wait!" Atamai said.