Fire burns brightly in the chamber of the Khan; the windows are plastered white as the howling wind rages outside. The long blue carpet raises towards a thrown with giant sword raising from plinths surrounding it. As Raimi leads the Shepherds into the throne room, they could not help but bask in the warm place. Despite the dark grey stones, the heat from the fires casts beautiful shadows that dance along the walls. Raimi halts just before the throne before leaving to summon the Khan. While she walks away, Robin turns to Chrom.
"The Khan is away?" he asks, surprised. Don't rulers usually stay in their castles? Chrom looks at him before nodding.
"Out training, I'd wager. But, as we saw at the border, the people of Ferox prefer battle to politics, and the khans are no different." Roxas looks around before glancing at the throne.
"So a warrior ruler? We have met a few of them ourselves, right Sora?" he turns to his brother, who nods at him, fond memories coming to him of Simba and Beast or Adam as they later found out. "So, what do you think this ruler will be like?"
"Who knows. They all come in different ways, Roxas." Sora replies before glancing at Robin. "How about you?" Robin looks around for a bit before looking back at him with a smirk.
"Hmm, well, how about this…A giant of a man of unparalleled threw, his broad chest covered in hair." Robin exaggeratingly says to the group before chuckling at his joke along with Lissa and Naminé, while the rest just smile amusingly at him.
"Am I now?" a feminine voice echoes from behind them, slightly amused by the comment from Robin. "..Oh no. Please do go on!" the group turn around to be greeted by the ruler of Ferox.
A woman of tall stature, with tanned skin darker than Sora's and wavy blond hair tied into a high ponytail and piercing brown eyes, she is wearing a silver chest plate with red details, along with a red collar guard reaching past her head. At the same time, a black undersuit lays underneath, running down to form a tight skirt past her waist. Two silver shoulder guards with red decals hang from her pare shoulders, while her right hand is encased in a silver gauntlet. Her left arm is covered in a large red shield, its width the size of her, with a gap at the bottom for her hand, while a brown harness can be seen under the armour as two brown straps race down her legs on both sides to her thigh tall brown boots, similar encased in silver armour with red patterns on the knees. A long silver sword hangs on her left hip, while a large silver axe hangs on her back.
"You're the-?!" Chrom briefly exclaims before catching himself. He shakes his head to dispel the shock before resuming his speech. "I mean, that is to say… The khan, I presume?" The person before them nods at them while smirking slightly.
"One of them, yes." She replies. This catches the guardians by surprise.
"'One of them?' What do you mean by that?" Kairi asks before catching herself. "Sorry, it's just us four aren't from Ylisse. We are from a different continent, and so we are still learning the customs here." Flavia looks at the group with narrow eyes before smiling at them.
"Is that so? Well, let me be the first to welcome you to Regna Ferox properly. I am the East-Khan. My name is Flavia. I hope the weather has not been too harsh on you? You look like you come from warmer pastures." The four shyly look away from the khan while the other Shepherds chuckle at them. Finally, Flavia returns her gaze to Chrom and apologises for the border incident.
"Thank you, but I'm confident we can put that misunderstanding behind us." He offers his hand to her, which she shakes hard. Chrom eyes turn hard before looking at her. "Is it true bandits posing as Ylisseans have been ransacking your border villages?" Flavia eye's turn into anger at the mention of the attacks.
"Yes. Those Plegian dogs!" Flavia smacks a closed fist into an open palm, the group slightly taken aback by her anger. "We found documents proving as much on the corpse of one of their captains."
"We fought against some of them in Ylisse right before we encountered Chrom. They were being led by a person named Garrick how was ransacking a nearby town." Sora adds to the Khans rage.
"That does not surprise me at all. It seems like they are trying to raise tension between all three of us, especially between Ylisse and Ferox, whatever the benefit is that they see from this." Flavia snarls to herself as the group discuss amongst themselves.
"Damn them!" Chrom exclaims in anger before collecting himself. He rubs the back of his head apologetically before looking at Flavia. "I… Forgive me, Your Grace. That was… indelicately put" Flavia looks at him before laughing a deep laugh. The group trade curious glances before she stops, a giant smile on her face.
"Ha! Damn them and damn delicacy! Here in Ferox, we appreciate plain speech."
"In that case, best have a word with your damn border guards. They could use a few lessons in thinking before leaping." Roxas says, his arms folded.
"Roxas!" Naminé scolds him before slapping him on the arm before Sully places a hand on her shoulder.
"Nah, your boyfriend has the right idea. They do need a few lessons." She says to the reddening blond. Virion just blanches as Stahl gently pats him on the back while Sora and Kairi chuckle at the two. But, just as Sully takes a few steps back, she bumps into Kellam, who sheepishly apologises to her while she blows up at him. Flavia looks on with a widening grin before giving a laugh of her own.
"Ha ha! Now that's Feroxi diplomacy! Yes, I like your group already, Chrom." She turns to face him, but her smile falls away. "I know why you have come. But regrettably, I cannot provide any Feroxi troops for Ylisse." The group look on, shocked. Lissa, in particular, looks at her with a pleading look.
"What!? Why not!?" Flavia looks to the young princess with a sympathetic look before she shrugs her shoulders.
"I lack the authority." She says with a shake of her head. The group look at each other confused. Is she not the ruler of Ferox? Until Sora put dot together.
"Is it because there is a West-Khan, and right now they are currently in power?" Flavia looks at him, impressed, before nodding at him. She explains that having two Khans to rule separate parts would make it easier for such a large land like Regna Ferox. Still, only one of them would have an influence on diplomatic action, which include forging alliances.
"And as your friend here has guessed, the West-Khan won the last tournament you see, and so…" Chrom looks down despondent; they came all the way here to receive no aid. "Not if you always give up so easily!" Flavia exclaims while slamming a hand down on the prince's shoulder. She glances over at the group before her. "The next tournament is nigh, you see, and I am in need of champions."
"What does that have to do with us?" Chrom asks while Robin thinks to himself in the background. Flavia looks over Chrom with an appraising look.
"The captain of my border guard informs me your Shepherds are quite capable. Especially the three standing next to you snow coloured cleric." She casts a glance towards Sora and the others. "I heard that they ran UP the Longfort wall! In my experience, not many have achieved quite an accomplishing feat!" The three look away, embarrassed. "If you Shepherds represent the East in the upcoming Tournament and win, I will become the ruling Khan and grant your alliance." Chrom looks at her, baffled.
"I had assumed Ylissenas had no place in such Feroxi traditions." Flavia chuckles to herself while stepping back.
"On the contrary. The khan themselves do not fight-they choose champions to represent them. Otherwise, our land would be rife with blood feuds and dead khans! We don't involve comrades or kin for the same reason."
"That makes sense," Naminé interjects. "If you decided your leads in such a fashion, then any potential deaths would have fallout that the winning Khan would have to deal with. Which in turn would distract them from the more important problems, such as those outside of Ferox."
"You have the right of lass." Flavia nods towards her before turning back to Chrom. "Although we have never had any foreign royalty partake in the tournaments. Not that I know of! Regardless, it is your choice to make." Chrom looks behind him at the group, meeting each of their gazes before turning towards Flavia.
"There is no choice, East-Khan. My people are desperate. We face not only Plegia's constant attacks but also the added threat of the Risen. If fighting for you is the fastest way to an alliance, then we will take up our steel." Flavia looks at them as they stare on with eyes of steel. She grins at them before chuckling to herself.
"Oh, I like all you, Prince Chrom. I hope you all survive the tournament!" she starts walking towards the throne room exit. "Come, I'll show you the arena where the tournament is help." They follow her out of the throne room and down the hall, taking a sharp right towards a large wooden door with iron engravings. "We have the arena underground so we can fight regardless of the weather."
Pushing the large doors apart, the Shepherds follow the East-Khan down a gradual slope, torches burning brightly in the holders in the underground passage. Gradually, the sound of crowds roaring begins to rise as they pass several offshoots around them until they reach a barracks. Several steel weapons lay scattered around the room as the horses and Sumia's Pegasus are brought over to them. Flavia turns to the group before gesturing to the weapons.
"Pick up any weapon you need; I guarantee steel is better than iron." She looks to Lissa and Naminé before glancing at their staves. "And I recommend you pick up a mend staff. Those heal staffs you have are nice and all, but for more serious wounds, a mend staff will work much better." The two clerics nod before walking over to the staff rack and picking them up, while Vaike picks up a steel axe and unceremoniously tosses aside his iron axe. Virion picks up a steel bow, Robin grabs a steel sword, Sully and Stahl pick up a steel sword and lance each, and Kellam and Sumia acquire a steel lance. "You can keep these weapons after the fight. Consider it a gift." The Shepherds beam at Flavia before thanking her. She turns to look at Chrom. Be wary. I hear an equally able swordsman champions the West-Khan."
"Doesn't matter who we face, we will win," Sora says confidently before moving toward the entrance with the rest. Chrom nods at him before assuring Flavia that Ylisse's necessity will defeat him before heading out himself. Flavia smirks at him before leaving the room for the stands.
"Well spoke again- I look forward to seeing if you're equally skilled with a blade."
The crowd's roar is deafening to the Shepherds as they enter the large arena, its hexagonal size easily able to accommodate fifteen more groups of their size. Torches line the walls around while a single beam of light shines from above, illuminating the detailed pattern along the stone floor. Before them stands an array of fighters, around knights and mages, while a lone cleric stands next too who could be considered the West-Khan champion. Someone they haven't seen since the encounter in the Forest.
"Marth? What is he doing here?" Kairi asks aloud.
"You know him?" Roxas asks before Sora nods at him.
"Yeah. Helped save Lissa when the Risen first appeared. He's a strong swordsman, able to handle those things by himself easily." He turns to look at Chrom, who is staring at Marth with hard eyes. "I wonder what he is up to."
"That's what I attend to find out." Chrom steps forward, a hand on his sword, before looking at Marth. "Marth! One question, before we begin?" he calls out to him, only to be met by cold silence, his face hidden by the shadows. Chrom frowns before tightening his grip on his sword before drawing it. "Fine, then. Our swords can speak for us!" Chrom proclamation hushes the crowd as groups on both sides move away to allow the duel to happen.
Marth glances at Chrom before slowly drawing his sword, the blade glistening brightly in the light. But it was its shape and style that caught the Shepherds attention. Marth's Sword was entirely identical to Chrom's, the holy sword, Falchion.
"Where did you get that?" Chrom asks Marth, only to be met with silence yet again. Placing his confusion to the back of his mind, Chrom charges at Marth before jumping into the air, spinning down and bring his blade down full force, only to be blocked by Marth. Pushing Chrom back, Marth begins his counter-attack, forcing Chrom back with each swing. During the duel, Chrom asks who taught Marth his combat style, only to be told that his father taught him. The two end their contest, ending on their respective sides of the arena. The two sides glare at each other, ready to strike until a gong is heard throughout the stadium. Suddenly, the floor shifts and platforms and obstacles emerge from the ground, turning it into a quasi-village environment. Robin glances around, eyeing the basic building with interest before nodding.
"Chrom, I've got a plan." Chrom glances at him with his eyes before nodding, his eyes glancing at the several passages between the buildings. "Me, Miriel, Virion and Roxas will head up onto those two roofs and provide cover from above." He motions with his head towards the two buildings in front of him. "Sumia will be along with us to be ready to ambush from behind. Kellam will block off the passage to our right, Frederick, to our left. Vaike, Sora and Kairi will hold the centre passage. Sully and Stahl will act as quick responses and head to whoever needs help. Same with Lissa and Naminé. As for you-"
"I'll stand with Sora and meet the enemy head-on. Marth will also come down the main path." He glances at the tactician, who nods in return before moving forward, with the chosen three following close behind. Kellam moves to the right, ready to block any foes coming, while Frederick moves to the left. Sumia helps move Virion up onto the ledge while Roxas jumps up via flowmotion, while the two mages use wind tomes to elevate themselves. Eventually, the first of Marth's fighters charge down the pathway, axes raised. A blast of fire from Miriel and a bolt of thunder from Robin disrupts the charge before they run into the frontliners, their swords, and axe, quickly disarming the charging warriors.
An armoured knight with two warriors charges at Kellam's side while a mage comes up behind them, ready to cast a fireball at him. A single arrow from Roxas dispatches the mage while Sully rushes past Kellam to deal with the fighters with her sword. She fails to see the knight approaching her side until his spear bounces of Kellam's shield, surprising the cavalier briefly while Roxas loses another arrow to disarm the offending knight.
With Frederick, the same number of foes charge at him, and in a similar matter, on Kellam's side, are dispatched the same way, albeit without Stahl charging forward and breaking formation. Still, Virion missed his first arrow, drawing the mages ire before hitting him in the arm with the second one. For Chrom and the others, the battle quickly became one of holding the line yet again as the fighters lunged at them until only two and an armoured knight were left, alongside Marth and the cleric, who was slowly walking up towards them, sword drawn.
"I must admit. You did better than I thought. I had believed you would charge at us head first, but instead, you let us come to you. Guess I've forgotten who I am fighting against, especially your tactician on the roof and the two by your side, Chrom." Marth casually talks to him while gazing at the said people. Robin glances down at them before silently nodding to Sumia on the other side, who nods back before mounting on her Pegasus.
"You talk like you know us, Marth," Sora says before glancing at the remaining warriors, eyes already set on the fighter to the right. "Sure, we met at that forest, but we didn't fight beside each other."
"True, but rumours of your skills on the battlefield are already spreading. Especially that stunt you pulled on the Longfort." He points his sword at them. "But let's see if you can last against us." At that, the two fighters charge at Sora and Kairi while the knight lunges at Vaike. They clash blades as blue healing auras engulf them, Lissa and Naminé concentrating on keeping their stamina up as the enemy cleric focus on her allies. Marth smirks at this until the flapping of wings catches his attention. Glancing up, he sees Sumia flying from above before slashing at the cleric, sending their staff rolling away from them before taking off back into the sky. Marth shakes his head before charging at Chrom, his sword ready.
"Who is your father?" he asks as blades clash. Marth parries a strike before throwing a punch, to which Chrom ducks before locking blades again.
"I've said enough for one day, sir." They clash again, not noticing the narrow eyes from Sora on Marth. He turns his attention back to his fighter before nocking his opponent back. He then jumps onto the wall before leaping into the air to deliver a powerful downward slash, disarming the warrior of his axe.
I am so glad flowmotion still works! He glances to his left to see Kairi performing a similar strike, only to slice her foes axe in two, causing her to look sheepishly at her blade while her attacker stares numbly at his now useless axe. He shakes his head fondly before looking at the armoured knight; his spear split in two by Vaike while fire and thunder scorch the ground around him. Then, seeing that all foes are dealt with, he glances at Chrom's fight with Marth. The two were matching each other blow for blow until Marth misplaces his feet. Chrom, seeing the awkwardness of his stance, pushes down on his blade until Marth loses his balance and falls to the ground. He raises his head only to see Chrom pointing Falchion at him, a small smile forms on his face.
"Impressive…if not surprising…" Marth mutters as the arena morphs back to normal, the crowd's roar engulfing the entirety of the stadium.
Moments later, the Shepherds are motioned into one of the side barracks around the arena, where a joyous Flavia eagerly greeted them, with a giant smile upon her face.
"Well fought!" she cries to them while clapping her hands together. "You fought brilliantly! I knew I was right to request your help. You have my utmost respect. And, perhaps more to the point, you have your alliance." She holds out her hand to Chrom, who shakes it gratefully. "I will provide Ylisse with the soldiers she needs."
"Truly?" Chrom asks, "Thank you, East-Khan."
"I should thank you! It feels like ages since I've held full power. Come, my new friends! Tonight, we celebrate!" Flavia turns on her heels and walks off with a bounce in her step as the rest look on.
"Um, is this just another Feroxi tradition to celebrate after the tournament, or is she just really happy to have won?" Sora asks no one in particular, who all shrug at him until he receives an answer, but not from one of them.
"Bah! Pay no attention to her lad. Any excuse for a party and Flavia will jump on it…" a deep baritone voice echoes from behind them, startling the group. They turn to the source to see a giant of a man approaching them.
Tall and dark, with a trim black chin beard, no hair, and a black eyepatch with two straps over his left eye, he walks over to them. He is wearing a large gold half collar neck guard, with white fur surrounding his head from the sides and back, almost like a hood. He is bare-chested while a dark blue top covers his shoulders, abs, and arms, while golden armour adorns his arms and shoulders. A large golden brace like Vaike's wraps around his stomach while his pants are the same blue as his top, with similar golden greaves on his feet and legs. A silver axe hangs on his back along with a silver bow and arrows.
He looks over the Shepherds with an appraising eye before folding his arms at them. They look at him, intimidated by his height, while the four guardians gaze uncertainly at his head, the lone eye reminding them all too well of a particular seeker.
"I'm sorry, have we met?" Chrom asks nervously at him. He looks at him before his posture slightly relaxes.
"I'm the West-Khan you so rudely removed from power!" he roars, causing them all to jump before a smile crosses his face and laughing at their reaction. His gaze softens at them. "Now that was a good reaction! At ease, you lot, I'm not here to cause trouble. The name is Basilio. You're handy with a sword, boy, same with the rest of you. I thought for sure I'd picked the stronger man." They look at the Khan curiously. Chrom asks if he knew anything about Marth, but Basilio states that he only showed up one eve and defeated his last champion with no trouble. And that he has now just gone and left the moment the tournament ended, claiming he is just a merc with a delusion of grandeur. He then turns to look at the guardians, who were looking at him warily.
"Is there something wrong?" he says to them, snapping them out of their trance. "You seemed to be on edge." The rest all turn to look at them while they nervously look at each other.
"Well, it's just.." Sora begins before getting his thought in line. "One of our old enemies also only had one eye, and he was a bit of a jerk. So when we saw you it just, brought back some unpleasant memories, especially for Roxas and Naminé." He looks at the two as they nervously nod at him.
"Hmm. I see. Well, I don't know what exactly that guy did to you, but I'm not like him. So don't worry, alright." He replies with an understanding smile at the four, who nods back at him. A sudden sigh from Lissa draws everyone attention back to the cleric as she stares at the ceiling with stars in her eyes.
"He's so dark and mysterious…." Lissa says before sigh and venturing off into dreamland. Robin comments that Marth already has a club, while Chrom says that Lissa is just dreaming. Before the sibling can continue their spat, Frederick politely intervenes and says they all must return to Ylisse.
"Hold, boy," Basilio says while placing a hard hand on Chrom shoulder. "Before you go, I have a little present for you. Come on over!" he calls behind him to the shadows. Emerging from them is a male Myrmidon.
His hair is dark, and his eyes narrow. He is wearing a dark blue yukata top with short sleeves and white fur around the edges; the front has a black and golden pattern while a neck guard ties around the side and back of his head. A red woollen belt with an iron circular buckle wraps around his waist—black stirps of iron rest atop his shoulder. Three strips of cloth flow behind him to the back of his ankles, while white slacks cover his legs. Brown knee-high boots race up his legs, with the same fir trimming adorned at the stop. Black fingerless braces encompass his hands while a katana hangs from his left hip. He looks at them with a silent gaze.
"This is Lon'qu, my former champion." Basilio introduces him to the group. "Not much for talking, mind you, but he's peerless with a sword. As good as Marth, in my mind." He furrows his brow before crossing his arms in thought. "To be honest, I can't figure out how Marth bested him so quickly." The guardians look at Lon'qu quickly. They could feel the presence his radiates just by standing there, it easily on par with Marth's company when his sword is drawn. Lissa looks at him, confuse.
"Marth beat him? But he looks so big and strong." She shrugs before walking up to him, intending to greet him to the group personally. Lon'qu eyes her approach wearily before his eyes shoot open, and he jumps back, on guard.
"Away, woman!" he cries, catching everyone off guard. Kairi and Naimné glance at each other shocked, Sumia tilts her head worryingly; Miriel…doesn't seem to care and continues writing in her book, while Sully looks ready to beat him up. Lissa, however, beats her to the punch.
"Hey! Wh-what did I say!?" She yells at him while he just stands there unmoving. Basilio looks at the two before bursting into a roar of laughter. Everyone looks to the East-Khan as he calms down before wiping a tear from his remaining eye.
"Let's just say that ladies tend to put Lon'qu on edge. Nonetheless, he is capable. Perhaps he even has the making of a khan." Lon'qu looks sceptically at his former employer before looking back at Chrom. "Consider him West Ferox's contribution to the Ylissean cause." The khan says before crossing his arms, looking very pleased with himself. Chrom looks at him, unsure whether to accept or not.
"You're certain about this?"
"Yes, yes. He's your man now." Chrom looks to the myrmidon, his stance more relaxed now that Lissa has moved back to the rest, Stahl trying to calm her down.
"And Lon'qu? You have no objections?" he looks at Chrom with an appraising eye. He slowly nods at him before moving forward.
"He gives the order. I stab people. I think our roles are clear." Chrom thinks to himself briefly before holding a hand out in greetings, to which Lon'qu returns professionally.
"All right then. Welcome aboard. Everyone, let us return to Ylisse." The Shepherds acknowledge Chrom command before moving to leave. They have a long road back home.