Part Two: Jade Tides
Lone Moon
Chapter Fourteen: Enemy and Friend
After a commanding victory at the Western Church, Finn pushes the Kingdom and Imperial Vanguard out and fortifies the area. The Kingdom, not yet ready for a lengthy war, withdraws to regroup. Finn now sets his sights on Ikairo territory, determined to finally push the Vanguard out of Meritocracy territory once and for all.
"Our defeat at the Western Church does not bode well." Hubert sighed.
"No it does not. Hopefully we can secure some assistance in the coming fight." Edelgard said. "Has the letter been delivered?"
"Yes. I personally delivered the letter to President Akemi. She is well informed on our reasoning for this war."
"We need the Congregation Army in order to push forward. It is wholly impossible for them to push us back if we are backed by them."
"I hope you are correct. But regardless I will fight by your side."
"I was counting on it."
"You called me Madame President." Yuri said as he closed the door to Akemi's office.
"Dad." she smiled. "I need your help."
"Are you trying to decide what to do about the Vanguard?" Yuri asked.
"Yes. The Congregation is so riled up that it would be easy to get them to agree to war. But I don't know if that is the course I want to take. After the raids we are so weak."
"You don't need to commit to war." Yuri reminded her. "But something must be done about the Meritocracy."
"You are right. Our people are not fighters though. We can't send much."
"You don't need to. Not with some of the most skilled fighters around."
"Then I think it is time for a little family battle." Akemi grinned. "I will draw up a document requesting a small force led by the two of us and including a few other elite soldiers."
"That is very wise."
"Please you already knew the answer, you just wanted me to say it."
"Well I wasn't calling you wise."
"After our latest success we are finally in position to strike at the Vanguard." Finn told his war council. "With the new fortifications the Western Church will not fall easily."
"Does that mean we can reclaim Ikairo territory?" Olaga asked hopefully.
"Yes. On my order the defensive line will move east with us coming south to directly attack the leading party." Finn informed everyone.
"That means we have to fight Edelgard again." Fetu groaned.
"And Hubert. That man is no pushover, and he is just as strong as he is loyal to Edelgard." Atamai told them.
"I hope none of our old classmates are there. I don't want to fight them." Kai shook his head.
"I doubt we have a choice General Namoe." Lawe responded.
"If we can knock the Vanguard out here and now then we won't have to worry about facing the Empire again. Hopefully I can start peace talks and we can end this war."
"Finn! This war is nowhere close to over." Oceania objected.
"Oceania, we are so weak right now. We can't prolong this war forever." Finn argued.
"Our military should not be underestimated. We can force the Empire into submission and bring glory to the Meritocracy." Oceania countered.
"I don't want any more lives to be lost. If Eliana agrees to my terms the fighting will stop after this next battle."
"I don't think that it will." Penina burst through the doors.
"General Lowan. What is the news from the front?" Hukai asked.
"I've heard the soldiers talking about reinforcements." Penina said.
"So Eliana is preparing for another wave of invasion." Keola groaned.
"No. They recognize the two commanders leading the reinforcements. President Akemi and Yuri have been seen speaking with Edelgard." Penina explained.
"Damn it!" Finn groaned.
"Why would the Abyssal Congregation side with the Empire?" Malosi asked.
"I don't know. But this is really bad. Penina, start preparing, we need to move up our timetable." Finn ordered.
"Yes, of course." Penina bowed before exiting the room.
"We will discuss the matter of extending the war later. Right now we have to get ready for this battle as fast as possible." Finn said and then dismissed everyone.
"Just consider it." Oceania said before leaving Finn.
"Are you considering taking Oceania's advice?" Maira asked Finn when they were alone.
"Oceania has been with me since I was much younger. I can't just not consider it." Finn said.
"It is tempting. Taking revenge and forcing the Empire to back down." Maira admitted.
"But at a great cost. I don't want to wipe them off the map, I just need Eliana to back down."
"But you don't think that will happen?" Maira asked.
"I'm definitely not confident. Especially not after the Abyssal Congregation seems to have sided with the Empire." Finn admitted.
"It just doesn't make any sense. When we were at the academy both of them were adamant about helping the Meritocracy." Maira recalled.
"It could have been to gain my trust to stab me in the back later." Finn theorized. "But that doesn't feel like them. There is something that I am missing here."
"No matter what Finn, I will stand by you." Maira assured him. "I believe in you."
"Thank you Polopeka."
"I think you need to call me something other than that. It is high time you stop thinking of me as your professor and start to think of me as someone you command." Maira told him.
"I can try." Finn smiled. "Alright Hoaloha, let's work together." Finn put his arm out for a handshake.
"Hoaloha, what does that mean?" Maira said while shaking Finn's hand.
"Simply, it means friend. Something I am running short on these days."
"It's perfect. Now what do you need me to do Finn?"
"Start to train up the new recruits. I have a lot of thinking to do but I feel that our fighting is long from over no matter what I choose." Finn ordered.
"Understood." Maira nodded her head and started to leave before Finn stopped her.
"Hoaloha, tell Fiafia that we are putting on the festival. She will know what it means." Finn said.
"Finn approved the festival." Fiafia squealed. "This is just what we need."
"What festival are you talking about?" Maira asked.
"In Kapena there is always a huge festival around this time. We couldn't go through with it the past few years because of the war but I figured to raise morale it wouldn't be a bad idea to go through with it." Fiafia explained.
"Were you talking about a festival?" Fetu asked.
"Fetu, do you like festivals?" Fiafia was beaming with excitement.
"Of course. I have to put on a show! This is going to be so much fun. When are we doing it?" Fetu asked.
"As soon as possible. We have to do it before we leave." Fiafia got very serious.
"Fiafia, can you do all the decorating and coordinate that? I can work on the food and entertainment." Fetu got just as serious.
"Yes. I already had some people in mind. Just make sure to have a dancing competition." Fiafia then smiled and dashed away.
"You all take your festivals very seriously." Maira noted.
"Absolutely. You should choose someone to join the dancing competition." Fetu told Maira but he was starting to drift off to another headspace.
"Cool. I am going to do that." Maira walked away.
"Yeah sure, whatever you need, Professor." Fetu was lost in thought and didn't even notice that she left.
A week later and the festival came. Fiafia had figured out a way to turn the water under the crystal roads a beautiful green and had dolphins jumping around through pools open in the crystal. Vendors lined the street leading to the capitol building. The smell of hot food and the sound of laughter filled Kapena. In front of the capitol building Fetu had set up a stage where the dancing competition was going on. All sorts of dancing were represented, slower dancing, faster paced more rhythmic dancing, and more acrobatic dancing were all showcased. Earlier that week Maira had chosen Penina to go into the competition. She was on stage now and was simply elegant. Her dance style was a mix of the faster paced acrobatic dancing with cartwheels and flips in addition to some ballet techniques. Her wide display of technique, and the speed that she was doing it with were so impressive that it made the judges choose her to be the winner. After her isolation Maira forgot what it was like to see so many smiling people in one place. Everybody drinking and laughing was truly a wonderful sight. That is when Maira knew that she had to defend this with everything that she had. And thanks to Sothis' powers Maira could experience the night a few times over before getting some rest.
Before heading out to battle most of the Emerald Shark Squadron had been promoted into new classes. All of the magic users had learned all of their spells as well. Atamai was now a Dark Knight and learned the Faith spell Aura. Fiafia took to the air once again as a Falcon Knight. Olaga's strength made her an easy candidate to become a War Master. After winning the competition Penina chose to go into the Dancer class to raise morale and learned Fimbulvetr. Fetu for the first time gained a mount and was a Holy Oceanmaster, he rode a white apukohai and learned Bolting. Keola continued down the Wyvern route and became a Wyvern Master. Malosi continued to advance his magical prowess and became a powerful Gremory. Kai also gained a mount, this time a horse as he turned into a Bow Knight. Finn still hadn't advanced because he hadn't had time to take the certification and Hukai and Lawe were already in Master classes as Pirate Masters and Dark Dracoknights respectively. Lawe had access to the spells Nosferatu, Heal, Rescue, Swarm Ζ, Death Ι, and Kraken Κ. After preparing the best that they could, the Emerald Shark Squadron marched towards the Imperial Vanguard and Congregation army.
"My scouts inform me that the Meritocracy troops are mounting a small force to engage us." Yuri reported to Edelgard and Akemi.
"Do not engage yet. I doubt only a small force will be what comes for us." Akemi ordered Yuri.
"I agree. Again I must thank you for coming to my aid." Edelgard thanked Akemi.
"If the Meritocracy is really in the state that you describe then it is my duty to strike." Akemi responded. "Though if this is true I am surprised that no one else has helped you."
"The Imperial messengers keep getting stopped before they can deliver the Emperor's letter. And there isn't much love out there for the Empire out there so personal visits are out of the question." Edelgard explained.
"Well I am glad that Hubert reached us. Hopefully, I can convince the Congregation to send more troops." Akemi told her. "It should be easy though, we are tired of all this battle around our borders."
"You can see the Meritocracy banner now." Yuri noted while looking out at the horizon. A green banner with a shark was right there with soldiers marching.
"Get the troops ready." Akemi instructed Yuri while pulling out a long curved relic sword.
"Joyeuse. The relic of Abyss." Edelgard noted. "I can feel the power coming off of it."
"It's wonderful to wield." Yuri told her. "With that on our side our chance of winning increases tenfold."
"I hope you aren't getting cocky Dad." Akemi smiled.
"Never. You two ladies just be cautious. Can't have either of you die here." Yuri warned.
The Emerald Shark Squadron was fast approaching the main camp. Finn was leading the march and stopped when they saw Yuri, Akemi, and Edelgard standing with their own troops a little bit further ahead of them.
"Kai, you can hit the target right?" Finn asked Kai as he faced back towards the defensive line.
"Yeah, it shouldn't be a problem." Kai dipped the tip of an arrow in a liquid then Malosi lit it while Kai got it ready.
"Penina, is there anyone we should know about?" Keola asked.
"No, the only major players I note are Yuri, Akemi, Edelgard, and Hubert." Penina informed them.
"Waiting on your signal Finn." Olaga was itching to take back her territory.
"Everyone stay safe." Fiafia instructed.
"Yeah, I don't need anymore work to do."
"General Keace be quiet." Lawe scolded Fetu.
Then Finn gave the order. Kai shot the arrow and it landed on a huge pyre which led to the rim of the defensive fortifications going up in flames. With that soldiers all across the defenses made a forward charge against the Vanguard.
"All units advance!" Finn charged with his friends close behind.
"I will lead the soldiers, Your Majesty. Stay safe behind the barriers." Hubert instructed Edelgard.
"Hubert, you shouldn't worry about me." Edelgard sighed.
"The enemy commanders are behind the fortifications. Kai, take a squadron to secure the ballista, Hukai, Lawe, and Maira, you all come with me. I am going to strike at Edelgard. The rest of you try to take down Hubert." Finn ordered.
Kai had taken Fiafia, Keola, and Malosi with him. Kai and Fiafia rode towards the ballista while Keola carried Malosi on his wyvern. The pair dropped them off near the ballista while they attacked the surrounding soldiers.
"Hey Kai, you know how to man a ballista right?" Malosi asked as he blasted the ballista with Fire to knock it off course and buy time.
"Yeah, you aim and shoot." Kai responded while sniping an enemy that was approaching Malosi.
"Good, then I will distract him while you take control of it." Malosi focused and sent another blast of Fire at the ballista.
Kai raced to the ballista and jumped off his horse to grab a hold of the operator and knock him off of it. This took the operator by surprise but he was able to knock 'Uhane from Kai's hands before he could finish him off. Seeing his disarmed opponent the operator lunged at Kai with his sword but Kai dodged the attack and whistled for his horse to come to him. His horse raced to him and Kai grabbed his lance from his pack and parried the next attack. Then Kai slashed but was blocked by the operator's sword. The operator got in on Kai who had to punch the man and whack him with the wrong end of the lance before grabbing 'Uhane and shooting the operator down.
"Kai, what is taking you so long?" Malosi yelled. "Let's hurry up here."
"I am literally inside the ballista." Kai yelled back while rolling his eyes.
Hubert was really strong. He was capable of a lot of the same Dark magic that Atamai had. Penina was dealing with two very strong guards in heavy armor and a gremory while Fetu was trying to nurse a hurt Olaga back to good health.
"You are quite strong." Hubert smiled and threw his arms open to cast Dark Spikes Τ.
Atamai jumped off his horse as the spikes closed in on him and responded with Hades Ω. "Thanks, you are pretty strong yourself. It almost makes me sad that you have to go down here."
Hubert had been caught in the spiraling and flaming tower of the spell. Hubert still managed to land on his feet though. "I won't go down that easy you brat."
Hubert and Atamai both focused and anchored themselves before blasting each other with Miasma Δ. The dark orbs collided and they reacted with each other to create a vortex sucking in everything. Hubert and Atamai stood their ground but they were channeling everything not to fall. Atamai stabbed his crutch into the ground and then was able to cast Aura. Green and white light erupted around Hubert making him lose his balance and fall into the vortex before closing.
"I can't believe my crutch saved me." Atamia laughed to himself while laying on the floor until Fetu, Penina, and a now healthy Olaga picked him up and got him fighting again.
"We'll never get to them if we have to take out these guards." Maira said while staving off three guards.
"Finn, Maira. Hukai and I can hold them off. You two need to end this." Lawe yelled as she focused her magic into Kraken Κ and sent a tentacle through three guards giving them an opening.
"Yeah, we will be totally fine here." Hukai added while sending his apukohai forward to knock a soldier into another and crash down on them with his axe.
"Alright. I will make sure Penina sends you two some help though." Finn told them before running off with Maira through the opening.
Yuri jumped from an unseen place and slashed at Maira, cutting her arm, and then turned his attention to Finn.
"You know once you told me that you trusted me." Finn pulled out Grioavalr and deflected a blow from Yuri's sword.
"Even I can be wrong occasionally." Yuri said sharply, attacking again.
"That hurts." Finn retorted sarcastically.
"Not as much as this will." Yuri said while casting Cutting Gale which Finn knocked away with his relic before casting Bolting in return.
Intense thunder rained on Yuri knocking him to the floor. To finish him off Finn cast Ragnarok and the stone floor erupted into lava, exploding and decimating Yuri.
"I really didn't want to kill you." Finn sighed before pulling Maira to her feet.
"I'm okay." Maira assured him.
"You better be." Finn remarked before the two continued forward again.
"If my Dad didn't kill you then that means he fell." Akemi said coldly as Finn and Maira approached them.
"You can leave and we won't pursue either of you." Finn offered.
"No, we have to do this." Akemi charged at Maira while Edelgard struck at Finn.
Maira blasted at Akemi with Ultimus' energy but Akemi slid under that and pushed off the floor to kick Maira and sent her into a wall where she hit her head. As Akemi swung Joyeuse to finish off Maira she was picked up by Excalibur and thrown away from the defenseless Maira. Finn had protected Maira while knocking Edelgard away with a blast of Riptide. Both Edelgard and Akemi were focusing on Finn now. Finn focused and blasted both women away from him with Ke Kai. Akemi recovered first and rushed at Finn while avoiding blasts of Bolting, Ragnarok, and Excalibur. She then used her own personal combat art, Collapse. Two fainter swords slashed with the original Joyeuse at Finn. Finn jumped through the gap between the blades, landed on the floor with a roll and then spun around to unleash Riptide, launching Akemi into the wall behind her. Finn sent another blast and knocked Akemi through the wall. He still wasn't done though because Edelgard hit him in the chest with a hand axe and was rushing towards him. But Maira had recovered and blasted her with Ultimus' power before she ended Finn. Finn used all of his power to put the former Emperor down. He summoned four spell glyphs, the first, Bolting, struck Edelgard and kept her in place as she was lifted up with Excalibur. The next two glyphs then became illuminated as Ragnarok's fire and Ke Kai's water swirled in around Edelgard. When he was done Edelgard was finally dead. All of the effort and the injury was too much for Finn and he collapsed. Maira stood by him until a healer came to fix him up and get him back to normal. When Finn came to the Imperial Vanguard and Abyssal Congregation had fallen.