Here we have the first of the Paralogues! Just like the Bonding Chapters, they will be sperate from the main chapters for ease. Also, I'm going to be placing them in what i feel like natural places in the story. For example, this one becomes available right after the long fort, but narratively it made no sense to do it then. I hope you enjoy it!
Paralogue 1: Sickle to Sword
Light gently flows down into the castle hall while Emmeryn waits for Chrom to arrive. Her fears of Grima's rise haunts her waking dreams, his figure shrouded in darkness as several orbs of light are swallowed by his maw before engulfing her. She shakes the image from her mind. She couldn't afford to show her fear to Chrom, not when war with Plegia looms. The sound of footsteps draws her gaze as Chrom approaches her, a slight grin on his face. She inwardly breathes a sigh of relief; his mission must have succeeded.
"I am glad to see you are safe, Chrom. But, unfortunately, word has reached my ears of the Risen's increase in attacks, as well as 'them'." Emmeryn comments to him, to which he replies with a stern nod. For now, the Heartless are only seen as stronger Risen who steal 'literal hearts, with only the Shepherds knowing their actual threat, but who knows when they will show their true strength.
"Indeed. We have thanks to Sora and Kairi for alerting us to them. They have also mentioned two of their enemies who may be in Plegia that can command them. All the more to be thankful for the Khans help."
"…Then Regna Ferox will support Ylisse?" Chrom answers her with an enthusiastic nod, to which Emmeryn smiles brightly. "Thank you, Chrom. I knew sending you was the right choice." The sound, unfortunately, breaks the happy atmosphere of panic running. Turning towards the source is one of the Falcon Knights attached to Philia's guard. She runs towards the royals before collapsing to one knee.
"Your Grace! I bring news! An army of brigands has descended onto one of our nearby Islands. They house only farmers and hunters!" the knights report shocks Emmeryn, while Chrom narrows his eyes in anger.
"The cowards! No doubt they are funded by Plegian coin." He turns to look at Emm. "Sister, I will take the Shepherds and liberate the Island from them. They won't harm a single hair on any of them." He turns around and leaves the hall, Emmeryn casting a sorrowful gaze on her brother. She may not voice it, but it hurts her to see Chrom take up the mantle of reaper for her even if she understands why he must.
The Shepherds are all busying, minding their things in the barracks. Robin is playing a game of chess with Virion, while Lissa chats with Naminé about her relations with Roxas, to her dismay. The blond in question is practising his sword and bow skills with Lon'qu, while Sully and Stahl practice their riding skills against each other. Miriel is again writing in her book while Sumia busies herself brushing her Pegasus. Sora and Kairi are looking over a book on the history of the world to better from an alibi they may need while reading up to understand their enemies better, while Kellam passes them drinks, to which they thank him much his shock. All is quiet until Chrom storms into the barracks with an equally mad Frederick.
"Shepherds, we march to the south!" Chrom exclaims the anger in his voice, startling all those present.
"You Chrom! What's got you riled up like this?" Vaike asks while reaching for his axe, which he has somehow not managed to misplace. Chrom turns to look at him, a fire burning in his eyes.
"Bandits have taken over one of the farming Islands to the south." He speaks with venom in his mouth—the rest glance at each other with wide eyes before narrowing. Lon'qu's especially. "They are only simple hunters and farmers; they don't stand a chance against them. Which is why we leave now." Everyone present nodded in acceptance before gathering their weapons and leaving the barracks at a quick pace. Unknown to them, the cloaked figure from Emmeryn's room watches them go.
"There they go, off to save the day." He says dramatically before turning his gaze to the West. "If only things were always this easy. Luxu. Just what happened to you?" he sighs before turning his eye back to the distant figures moving to the south. "Well, best I start working only my contingencies as well. My original plan to permanently remove darkness may have been derailed forever, but this is one thing I can salvage." He turns on his feet before vanishing into a dark portal, all the while planning for the war to come.
The trip to the Island was quiet; most Shepherds busied themselves by exercising in the tight space on the ship or resting. However, the distance between the mainland and their destination was not far, and only a few hours in the shore was fast approaching. Sora stands at the bow, watching as the Island comes ever closer while the sound of footsteps trails behind him.
"Thinking about what we are going to expect when we land?" he turns around to the sound of the voice to see Robin behind him, a calculating gaze set on the land before them. Sora motions for him to stand next to him before replying.
"Mostly. But there are other things on my mind." He sighs before leaning on the railing in front of him. "I'm worried about the people living here." Sora looks at Robin with a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I've been on the road for a long time, almost three years running at this point. I've seen countless people unable to fight while tier homes get torched to the ground. And that's not counting what we usually face…."
"You talking about the Heartless that Chrom informed us about after we encountered them in the plains?" Robin asks, reminded of when they first appeared alongside the Risen not far from Ylisse. Sora nods at him with a sour look.
"I've seen what those creatures do first hand when they get a hold of someone, how they scream for help as they forcefully rip out their heart, only for them to suddenly stop before morphing into the very thing that killed them." He thinks back to when he first arrived in Travers Town, where, on two separate occasions, he saw a Heartless rip out a person's heart. The look of fear and panic on their face forever etched into his mind. "That's why I can't help but worry. Sure these bandits can't steal hearts, but that doesn't mean they can't hurt them."
"And they won't, not on our watch," Robin replies while placing a hand on Sora's shoulder. "It may have taken us a few days to get here, but this is where their banditry will end. Let's show them." Sora looks at Robin before nodding with a small smile before turning his head back to the Island, now within rowing distance. The bandits won't know what hit them.
A lone villager runs through the fields while not far behind, a group of bandits chase after him. He is wearing a blue long-sleeved shirt with dark blue edging and a white collar, with the sleeves, rolled up past his elbows. A leather pouch connected to a grey rope hangs around his waist while white pants flow down his legs into brown leather boots. A makeshift spear is held in his right hand while a metal pot lies on his head, covering his curly lilac-brown hair.
He can hear the bandits gaining upon him as fear begins to take hold until he sees the glinting of weapons not far from him. His eyes widen, thinking it's more bandits until he sees the shade of blue fair on one of the warriors. He hastens his speed, rushing towards his only hope.
"Halp!" he cries out to them, grabbing the attention of the blue-haired warrior, but also one whose hair is silver, one with VERY spiky hair, and another whose hair is crimson. "You gots to help us! I'm beggin' you, milords!" he runs up towards the Shepherds, Almost collapsing from his sprint as the four walks up to him.
"Slow down. What happened?" Chrom asks as Sora and Kairi tend to him. Robin glances around before spying the approaching brigands. He rolls his eyes at the sight.
"Great. Bandits." Robin deadpans before looking at Chrom. "I think we found our brigands Chrom." He says in a stern tone to the others. The other three look toward the approaching rabble running towards them before standing before the villager, eyes challenging and with hands-on swords.
"What's this?" the lead bandit exclaims while glaring at the impromptu wall. "A little lording and his friends come to watch over his chattel? Haw ha-" his laughter is caught short when he sees the emblem on Chrom's shoulder and recognising the two standing next to him. "Aw damn me! Sh-Shepherds! And it's those two we tried to rob last time!" he shouts in fright, pointing at the three standing in front of him. Sora and Kairi share a confused glance before connecting the dots, turning angry eyes upon the helpless brigand.
"You are one of the bastards that attacked us? Well, this just became more personal." Sora shouts while drawing Kingdom Blade from its sheath, Kairi following closely with Destiny's Katana.
"We have a score that we want to settle with you." She says while pointing her blade at them. Chrom looks between the couple before slightly shaking his head before drawing Falchion from its sheath.
"Well, you heard them. So, what'll it be? Run and live?" He says before pointing Falchion at the leader's throat. "Or fight and die?" The leader quickly pales before fleeing in the opposite direction, followed soon by the rest of his gang. Watching them leave, the three promptly sheath their blades before turning to the villager, being helped up by Robin. "Quickly, lad. What happened here? We heard of bandits attacking the Island, but that is all we know."
The villager looks at Chrom standing before him nervously and rapidly nods at him. "Y-yes, milord! Right away, milord! …Er, if it pleases Your Graciousness." He continues to mumble out titles while Sora and Kairi stare dumbly before breaking into a flurry of chuckles. Robin and Chrom themselves could not help but smile at the lad's nervousness, so Chrom placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Maybe just hold odd on titles for now. What's your name?"
"Donny. Er, that is, Donnel." He gestures along the dirt path he had just run down, "I used to live in a village not far from here until that rotten-toothed, pig-stinkin' bandit attacked us!" he catches himself before sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. "Er, pardon my language, You Lordliness." Chrom waves it off before motioning Donnel to continue. "I'm the only one what got away, and even then, just barely. They were roundin' up others to haul 'em off to their camp… Please, sir! You gots to save them folks! My ma's one of 'em…" Sora's eyes widen at the remark before tightening the grip on his sword. Kairi notices it and places a comforting hand on his shoulder, to which Sora gratefully nods at. They cast a glance at Donnel as he motions for them to follow him to where the bandits are; this is something he will need to take part in.
Deep in the ruins of an old castle, the bandits are celebrating and gorging themselves on the food and drink they have stolen from the villages, while the civilians are being held in a crude iron cell. Sitting on an old throne is the pack leader, the same bandit who tried to rob Sora and Kairi when they first arrived. Standing before him is the bandit who tried to grab Donnel.
"…And you're sure a'this?" he asks gruffly before downing a gallon of, whatever he's drinking.
"On the grave of my sainted mother, I swear it. It was Chrom, his Shepherds and those two we tried to rob before, and no mistake!" The leader looks at his minion before grinning evilly. The opportunity for revenge had just handed itself to him on a silver platter.
"Heh heh heh. A fancy lord'll fetch a high ransom from the noble folk as well as what Plegia is payin' us. And those two, oh, I have plans for them…We'll have them all squealin' for mercy, but we are all out of it." He chuckles to himself while one of the villages looks at him, pleading him to let the children go, to which he replies by throwing his drink at her—his minion glances at her before connecting dots in his head, surprisingly.
"Oy, Roddick! I think this cow's the mum of the brat what ran away." The leader, Roddick, looks at her before recognition fills his eyes, anger following quickly behind. Finally, he recognises her as the wife of the man who broke his ribs before he killed him.
"Small wonder the brat's got more brass than brains if you're his mum," Roddick says before putting on a malicious smile. "Guess we'll see for ourselves when we catch him, eh? Maybe we'll even make ya watch as we gut him!" Donnel's mother could only cry in horror as the brigands laughed in joy at what they were going to do to him, her plea to spare him going unanswered.
The yells of jubilations erupt from the bandits camp like birds calling, masking the approach of the Shepherds, led by Donnel. Before them is an old stone fortress, its walls crumbling and with gaping holes along its line. Torches illuminate its moss-covered walls as some archers patrol lazily along its edges.
"So, this is where they are holding up. Thank you Donny." Chrom says to the villager as Robin scans across the area, a plan forming in his mind. "Now then, stay close to me." Donnel looks to Chrom in shock before telling the flustered lord that he couldn't fight, even though he wanted to kick them out himself.
"Then what's stopping you?" Sora asks him before walking up to Donnel. "You said you couldn't fight, but does that mean you are okay just standing around powerless?" The group look on in silence as Donnel struggles to answer. "Believe me; I know what it's like to feel fear. Sure, me, Riku, Roxas and Xion did our fair bit of play fighting when we were younger, but did that make us full-blown warriors when we suddenly found ourselves thrust into a journey with no warning? No, it didn't."
"But I ain't-" Donnel tries to argue back but is silenced by a hand on his shoulder from Sora.
"No one is born a fighter. Sure we make it look easy, but we had to train hard to make it this far. And besides, you've worked your life on the farm. Doing heavy lifting and swinging around tools?" Donnel nods nervously at the question. "Then you are basically at the same level I was when I began my journey. All you need to do is try."
Donnel looks at Sora conflicted before glancing around to the rest of the Shepherds, each giving him their own sympathetic and encouraging smiles. Then, finally, he steels himself and narrows his eyes. "A-all right, milord. As you say, I'm no warrior. But these're my people. So I gots to do what I can!" Sora nods confidently at him before placing a hand on his back.
"Don't worry, stick near Kairi and me, and you'll be fine." He nods towards Kairi, who gives a calming smile in return. Donnel looks between the two before tightening the grip on his spear. Talking hushes as Robin approaches the three, weapons in hand and eyes hard.
"Alright. Here's the plan. I'm having Roxas use what you call your "Flow" skills to get to the top of the wall and take out the archers. Once done, Sumia will fly Naminé up along with Virion for support and shadow us from above. Meanwhile, Sully, Stahl and Frederick will charge through the main entrance and gather the enemies attention. Vaike, Miriel, Lon'qu, Kellam and Lissa will give them support.
Meanwhile, Chrom, Sumia and I will flank from the east while you three attack from the west. Once inside, we find the prisoners and take out the leader. Understood?" the three nod at him, Donnel still uncertain but determined as Robin turns to move over to Chrom while passing a silent nod to Roxas.
He nods at him before running towards the ruined wall, jumping at the last second and beginning to run up it. Reaching the top, he jumps into the air, pulling back on the string and releasing three arrows of light upon the unsuspecting archers, bringing three down. The last looks around frantically before Roxas lands on top of him with Oblivi drawn, silencing the last archer. He looks towards the forest and nods, watching Sumia fly from the woods with Naminé and Virion abord. Silently dropping them off, the three vanish from the ruined wall towards one of the roofs, just as Frederick leads the charge through the central gate.
The sudden rumbling of hooves from the horses alerts the bandits, who rush to the front to engage the Shepherds. With Frederick leading the charge while Stahl and Sully cover his wings, he cleaves through the brigand forces. They try to envelop them but are blocked by Kellam suddenly appearing next to Sully, taking a minor blow, while Vaike leaps from above near Stahl. Lissa huddles behind them, keeping her staff aloft to heal while Miriel casts balls of fire towards the brigands, singing many. Some breakthrough the cavaliers and charge at the mages, only to fall swiftly to Lon'qu's blade, not even having a chance to notice the myrmidons presence. Roxas looks on impressed before turning his attention to some bandits charging at them on the walls, losing a few arrows along with Virion before switching to his sword while Naminé stays behind the two, healing them.
Over on the right flank, Chrom and Robin move through the shadows like ghosts before stumbling upon a hidden treasure room. The two look around, analysing the layout for traps as Sumia comes down to them.
"Captain, the plan is working out for now, but there seems to be more of them than we thought. The roof team is encountering more archers and brigands and can't support the ground team." Sumia relays to the two. Robin strokes his chin before telling Chrom they could come back later; they need to hit the flank now. He nods in acceptance before turning to leave before noticing a blue glow to his right. The object in question looked like a hollow spherical astrolabe, with its metal a deep blue, while what looked to be a blue gem pulsed in the middle. A single prong extended from the top and bottom as the metallic components slowly spun around on the inside.
"A Second Seal…" Chrom mutters to himself before picking it up. He looks at it with amazement before storing it away; he could find a use for it later. "Right, let's hurry to the battle," Chrom says while sprinting from the treasury, Robin and Sumia close behind him. Leaving, they almost immediately run into some brigands but are quickly dispatched by thunder and steel.
Meanwhile, on the left, Sora and Kairi move through the ruined walls with Donnel behind them. He is still unsure if he could even fight despite the pep talks he received, but was still determined to save his mom. A sudden movement to his left alerted him from his thoughts. Gazing into the shadows, he could see the glint of steel glimmering in the shades, pointing directly at Sora's back. Donnel's eyes widen as fear begins to take hold before something snaps. Instantly his fear fades, replaced by sheer determination. With a yell, he charges into the shadows, his cry alerting the couple while startling Sora's would-be assassin. He didn't even have a chance to think as Donnel plunged his makeshift spear into the myrmidon. He moves away from his fallen foe, breathing heavily as the couple rush up to him.
"Donny! You okay?" Sora asks while placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. He turns to look at the two, his breathing evening out and nodding slowly. He returns his gaze to his fallen foe before realisation dawns on him.
"I did that, didn't I?" he says to them, who nodded at him. To their surprise, Donnel chuckles to himself before his eyes narrow in determination. "You are right, milord. I can do this. Let's ge' 'em!" Sora and Kairi look at each other before nodding with smiles.
"Told you. You can do it. Let's go." He says before continuing down the path, before turning to look at Donnel. "But seriously, you don't have to be formal around us. Just call us Sora and Kairi, okay Donny?" Donnel looks at the wide-eyed before nodding with a smile, turning his attention back to the path as several brigands rush towards them, determination filling his veins as he charges forward next to the guardians.
Roddick was fuming. Everything was falling apart. Somehow the Shepherds had managed to get past his archer sentries and were rampaging through his 'hall' while three of them had stolen the roofs, and to add insult to injury; he had just gotten told his TREASURY had just been found. All the hard-earned money and gifts from Plegia, gone. But, at least he still had his prisoners. And that was where he was currently going. If he couldn't beat them with pure strength, trickery would have to do. At least that's what he thought until he found three more Shepherds crawling around before him, two of which he was dying to see again.
"Well, well, lookie what dragged the cat in," he says, marching into the room with his axe on his shoulder—the three turn to look at him, recognition in two of their eyes. "I haven't seen you two since the scrape on the road those few weeks back. I've been dying for a rematch." He points his axe at the couple before they march forward, steely glares aimed right at him.
"Sorry, but we don't have time for you," Sora says dismissively before readying his stance, Kairi doing the same while standing at his side. "You caught us off guard that one time, but not here."
"If you think this is going to be as easy as back then, then you are wrong. We'll show you just what we are capable of!" Kairi says while tightening her grip. The two share a glance at each other before silently nodding. It was time to try out another skill they could feel unlocking. Donnel looks between the two before noticing cages not too far ahead from him, filled with trapped villagers and several bandits in front of them. Not needing to be told twice, he rushes towards them while the couple stays to fight Roddick.
Roddick growls as he sees Donnel running to the cages but is blocked from running after him by the couple. He looks at the two of them, eyes filled with anger. "Ah, you should have made it easy back on the road. I have some plans for the two of you. But first, let me relieve you of your arms!" He yells as he charges at the two with surprising quickness. They jump back as he brings his axe down, cracking the stone flooring with the blow. They two return the strike, putting Roddick on the defensive just as the rest of the Shepherds arrive. They glance over to the cages, seeing Donnel, surprisingly, taking down the guards before his spear finally broke from the last brigand's axe. Just as he was about to bring his axe down, an arrow from Virion silences him. Donnel looks over to them with a thankful look before working on breaking his mom and the villages out until the sound of granite breaking catches everyone attention.
They turn to look at the fight with Roddick, his axe cleaving gashes in the stone walls as the couple dance around him, striking at every opportunity and leaving a multitude of cuts around him. He glares at the two with anger. "This all ye got!?" he says before readying to throw his axe at them until noticing the yellowish glow surrounding their swords. Everyone looks on with surprise and shock at the sudden light from Sora and Kairi's blades, while Roxas and Naminé smirk on knowingly. Roddick was finished. Sora and Kairi glance at each other before smirking as they grasp their swords in both hands, before holding them close and horizontal, energy building up before reaching its peak.
"Sonic Blade!" They cry before dashing straight at Roddick, passing by at incredibly speeds before spinning around and repeating the strike. Five times they strike at him from different directions until they let out one last powerful thrust into his chest, sending him flying into the wall. Roddick could only look at them in shock before his head fell limp and eyes closed. The couple looked at each other before nodding in victory and high-fiving each other until they realised they had an audience at the sound of the Shepherds collective clapping. To their credit, they looked on sheepishly as Robin and Chrom walked up to them.
"That was very impressive," Chrom says to them as he walks up to them. "Another one of the skills you picked up in your travels?"
"Yeah, it is," Sora says before looking at Robin, the oh so familiar glint in his eyes glistening. "I know that look Robin. Your thinking if we can teach this skill to others, right?" The tactician rubs the back of his head while grinning sheepishly. The couple chuckles at him before turning their gaze on him. "Actually, we MIGHT be able to teach you. But don't be surprised if not everyone can use Sonic Blade."
"That's fine by me; you can tell us on the road back to Ylisse," Robin replies before the four are interrupted by Donnel, enthusiastically promising how they had done it.
"Actually, Donnel, you're not giving yourself that much credit." Donnel tilts his head slightly, inclining Chrom to explain further. "We saw you charging at the brigands holding the villagers captive. That takes courage to do, especially at a weapon disadvantage."
"You should have seen him earlier," Kairi says before casting a thankful gaze on the villager. "He managed to spot one of the brigands hiding in the shadows ready to ambush Sora and me from behind before he took them down." Chrom looks at Donnel, visibly impressed.
"You have done well, Donnel. Hone your potential and use it to keep this village safe." Chrom says before motioning the Shepherds to return to Ylisse until Donnel asks them to wait. Chrom turns to look at him as the rest of the villagers move up, Donnel's mother at the front.
"I has a request, sir. If it pleases Your Graceliness…" he takes a deep breath to calm his nerves before narrowing his eyes. "Take me with you, milord! Lemme be a Shepherd like you!" Donnel's proclamation stuns everyone, his mother most of all. She tries to hush him, saying that a farmhand is not fit to fight next to a royal like Chrom, only to be told that he would be warmly welcomed, and this his strength and bravery impressed them all. Then, reluctantly, she lets him go, saying that he has to come back home alive.
"Actually, I may have a way to make it easier for him," Chrom says before pulling out the Second Seal he took from the treasury. The world's people gasp at what he found, but the guardians only look at it confused.
"What is that? Some sort of astrolabe?" Roxas asks the question on their minds. Everyone present turns to them with surprise, with Vaike asking them if they have never seen a Second Seal or Master Seal before. The four shake their heads, with Naimné saying that where they come from didn't have any of these seals. Only Chrom and Lissa understood where they were coming from before Miriel began lecturing the four on the seals.
"Master Seals are what we disciples of war and magic use to evolve our classes to advance levels. How they work is still a mystery, but it is said that it looks into your soul to gauge what you shall become. Secondary Seals work on the same principle but allow one to change to a different discipline altogether. For example, I myself had dabbled with Secondary Seals in the past and found myself capable of the Troubadour and Dark Mage disciples." She says in her usual professor like tone while glancing over her book, not registering the looks from those around her. The Guardians look to each other as they try to let the information sink in before Chrom chuckles at them.
"Perhaps a demonstration is better than an explanation." He says before handing the seal over to Donnel, who takes it in both hands. Its interior starts to spin wildly, as blue electricity sparks as a blue glow shines brightly from the gem. After a few seconds of holding onto it, Donnel throws it up into the air, where it stays in place before shooting down blue light at the villager.
Everyone present shields their eyes from the light, only lowering their hands when the glow vanishes. To the four guardians, they couldn't believe their eyes. Standing before them is Donnel, but no longer as a villager, but as a mercenary like Sora, but with his colours from his villager outfit, although his pot helmet stays the same, though, as an iron sword rests on his hip. He looks over himself in surprise and happiness before jumping for joy as the other smile happily for him.
"Alright, everyone, let's head home." Chrom proclaims before turning to leave with their newest companion.
And now we have more of the KH crews abilities returning, while also giving the Shepherds new tools to use. Just don't expect Chrom to be using Ragnarok anytime soon, no matter how cool it would look. XD Hope you enjoy the future chapters.