Sorry for delay! Struggled a bit with this one. Defently feels like the weakest one tbh.
Bonding Time 3
Barely minutes pass before the guards move the bodies from the palace, placing them into unmarked graves. Even though they came for the Exalts life, they would be no better if they showed discourtesy to the dead. Robin gazes over the burial, his eyes lingering on the one who led the assault while a dark feeling lingers in the back of his mind. He shakes it off before tearing his eyes away, finding Naminé standing before him.
"Robin, we need to talk." She says, uncertainty masking her voice. Robin nods before they move away to a more discreet location. Robin turns to look at her, gesturing for her to speak. "It's about the man who led the assault on us. I'm sure you noticed it, but his clothes-"
"Have the same design as my coat does…." Robin finishes for her. Naminé hesitantly nods at him. "Then there was a real chance he was speaking the truth, that he may have known me. But the question is, who was he? And why did his clothes bear the same as mine? I have all these questions lying at the back of my brain, and yet I have no answers for them."
Naminé looks at Robin, concerned. Even after the attempts of scanning through his memories, not one has surfaced from that void. But now, maybe it was better that it was left unremembered. As Robin said, who he is now is important, not who he used to be. "But still, does it not worry you?" Robin looks at Naminé with raised eyes. "What if he was part of something much bigger? In our experience, we never found what our foes true goals until it was almost too late. I don't want the same thing to happen here."
"It won't, Naminé," Robin assures her. "True, we may have lost an avenue of knowledge, but for now, the important thing is that Emmeryn is safe. We can figure out where he came from later and who he belongs to." He turns his gaze back to the burial sight. "I promise that. My loyalties lie with Ylisse. No matter what comes next, that will not change."
Riku casts a gaze around the courtyard while brushing his horse. So far, there are no further Heartless prowling the streets, but that didn't stop him from looking out for any other unwelcomed surprises. Turning his gaze back to his horse, he notices Sora standing by himself, gazing at the stars. "What's up, Sora? What's got you thinking?" he calls out to him before moving forward. Sora looks at him briefly before turning his gaze back to the sky.
"I can't help but wonder," Sora replies before sighing. Riku narrows his eyes before standing next to him.
"Wonder about what?" he asks. Sometimes he forgets just has quick Sora can catch onto things that don't look right. Sora rubs the back of his head before turning to face Riku.
"Wonder what they planned to do with Emmeryn. We know why Gangrel wants Emmeryn dead, but why do they need her Heart?" Sora asks Riku, who furrows his brow. There were only two reasons why someone would seek out the Princess of Heart, but there should be no reasons as to Gangrel KNOWING about it. Not even the 'forbidden history' that the rulers now make any mention about it. "Then there is our fight against the leader." Sora continues with a frown. "The way he was talking to me, Kairi and Robin was disturbing. Not to mention how his eyes seemed to just gleam with excitement and malice. It reminded me of him back in Scala Ad Caelum."
"So he was another Xehanort. Glad he's out of the way then." Riku replies offhandedly. That's one crazy fanatic they won't have to deal with anymore.
"But there was one last thing. It's about 'Marth'. During the fight, he used a skill that I hadn't used in ages, and so far, only me and Terra know about it. Ars Arcanum." Riku's eyes widen. Ars Arcanum was one of Sora's go-to moves and was currently teaching it to Kairi and Ventus. How could this 'Marth' know about a move like that when Sora hasn't even USED it here yet.
"I agree, Sora. Marth is hiding things from us. How did you encounter them again?" Riku asks with suspicion in his voice. Sora pauses briefly before mentioning that she was there when the Risen first appeared. "Well, we can't really do anything right now. But the next time we see her, we will get the real answers out of her."
"Definitely." Sora agrees before a cheeky grin forms on his face. "By the way, I heard that during the fight, you managed to perform Flowmotion while on your horse Riku. Care to explain how you did that? And while you're at it, how come you and Xion get mounts?"
"Sorry, Master secret. I'll tell you when you pass the mark." Riku replies with an equally cheeky grin before leaving a pouting Sora.
"Not fair, Riku!"
All is quiet in the skies around the Palace. Pegasus knights from the nearby fort patrol the skies around the city as the pale moon glows above. Hovering in the air on her mount, Xion quietly looks around the surrounding lands, eyes full of wonder. Even now, one year later, she still can't believe that she is alive and remembered and with a loving family. She smiles to herself, remembering when she was reunited with Roxas and Axel. As she fondly reminisces, she spots a familiar rider flying in the skies below her. A mischievous grin forms on her lips as she motions her Pegasus to dive from above.
"Look out below~!" she calls out to the rider below her. Insticevly, they swerve out of the way to avoid her before turning their irritated gaze on them.
"Really, Xion, that trick again?" Sumia asks with irritation to her fellow rider. "This is the third time now. Don't you ever get tired of doing that?" Xion, in response, puts a finger on her chin while playfully humming.
"Nope, not really." She chirps, much to Sumia's exasperation. "It's fun to do things like this. Not only does it help kill boredom, but it also helps in training your reflexes." Her playful smirk melts into a happy grin. "I'm not always doing these for fun, you know."
"Still, do you always have to be so active all the time?" Sumia asks while rubbing her forehead with her hand. Xion's antics were starting to drive her crazy. Expecting another playful rebuke, she was instead surprised to see Xion's expression turn sombre as her eyes half-closed.
"Actually, for a long while, I never had a chance to act like this. It was either work, sitting or standing around waiting for work, or being yelled at by one of our kidnappers." Xion winces as she remembers her days back in the Organisation, the coldness of the other members and how they viewed her as nothing. If it weren't for Roxas and Axel, she probably wouldn't even be who she is today, not counting her 'stealing' Sora's Memories and Roxas's power as a replica.
"Sorry, I forgot about that. Kairi did tell me about what happened between you all. I guess I never really understood how it affected you." Sumia replies before flying a tad closer to Xion. "I don't know precisely what happened during that time or what was said to you, but such things won't happen here. You have your brothers and future sisters-in-law with you. Besides, if anything like that were to happen, Chrom would come along personally and deal with them!"
"About that Sumia, you have been very supportive of Chrom, and I don't mean just as a friend. So what's going on between you two?" Xion asks with a predatory smile as Sumia backs away, flustered.
"N-Nothing! Really! I better go! I need to do some rounds around the city!" She hastily motions her mount to leave as smirking Xion, who stays hovering in the air. She turns her glance back down to the ground, seeing Sora and Riku in one of the balconies as the latter walks off.
"Yeah, I really am in a better place than before…." She smiles wistfully at Riku before turning her mount around. Maybe she could find Roxas and Naminé to prank on now?
Standing off by himself, Kellam glances around the hall leading to Emmeryn's chambers. Sure the attack is over, but there could be some stragglers looking to find her room and attack her. That is why he was standing here, as the invisible guard. At least, if the numbing pain from his left arm wasn't bothering him.
"Kellam? ...KELLAM!" A familiar voice echoes down the hall, grabbing his attention. Looking to the source, he sees Sully walking down with what looked to be some medical equipment.
"...Yes?" He hesitantly calls out. Is she here to give him an earful at protecting her and Stahl again? She turns to look in his direction, a brief look of relief in her eyes as she walks up to him.
"Oh good, there you are." She glances over him before noticing the damage to his left arm's armour while a small stain of red painted the side. "...Yep. Looks like I was right. You did injure your arm." Kellam glances at his arm in surprise.
"Oh, gosh. Did you notice? I didn't think anyone—"
"Of course I noticed, you tiny idiot!" She snaps at him angrily but less so than last time. "You got hurt trying to protect me and Stahl again! Didn't I tell you last time I didn't need your damn help?" Kellam, for his part, retracts into his armour, ashamed at being called out again like this.
"B-but, that guy was about to cut your head off! And that Dark Mage was about to hit Stahl's horse! I can't just stand by and watch friends be cut down. It's not in my nature."
"Oh, aren't we gallant? Pffft!" Sully replies with a roll of her eyes. "I had that guy in the bag." Her eyes turn soft before looking him in the eyes. "And besides, it doesn't do any good if you get killed in someone else's place."
"Y-you're probably right," Kellam replies sheepishly. How can he protect anyone if he is willingly throwing his own life away? Sully nods at him before walking over to him and taking his shield from his arm before removing the armour around his arm, despite Kellam's insistence that he is okay.
"Gods, what a fool," Sully comments in a good-natured way as she wraps the arm in a bandage. Surprisingly, it was only just a cut, as he said, but it was better to be safe than sorry these days. "You'd probably leap into the noose if I hung myself, huh?" She jokingly says, earning a laugh out of the timid knight.
"I wager I would!" Kellam replies in nature, getting a chortle out of the cavalier as she finishes wrapping his arm up.
"And here I thought you were a meek little mouse. When it comes to looking after folk, you're as stubborn as a damn ox!" Nodding to herself in approval, she turns and leaves Kellam to his watch.
Frederick breaths deeply as he patrols along the garden walls. The invaders had to have come from somewhere, but for the life of him, he could not find anything. A passing mention from Riku about some sort of Corridor of Darkness had left him troubled, but any attempts to learn more had been unsuccessful. No matter how he tried, Sora and the others did not answer. Although, but the look of pain on their faces, it was clear it was not something they remembered fondly. His musing is cut short by the rumbling of the earth, however.
"Great paladin's helm!" He cries before turning around in rapid succession before seeing the source of the ponding coming at him. "It's only Panne. ...But why is she coming at me in beast form? And why is she charging me?!" His eyes widen as he stumbles backwards as he fumbles for his sword on his hip. "BACK, FOUL BEAST! BACK, LEST MY SWORD TASTE YOUR—" Before he could finish, Panne turns back into her normal form before walking up to him, breathing hard from her running in rabbit form.
"F-finally! You are a hard one to find, man-spawn. Chrom wants you in the main hall. It is urgent." She looks at him, seeing the look of fear in his eyes as his legs seem to shake. She could not help but tilt her head at him.
"Why did you chase me down in beast form? I feared you were planning to eat me whole!" Frederick exclaims as his shaking stops, but his heart continues to beat rapidly.
"Running on four legs is much faster. ...Did I scare you?" Panne asks with a slight smirk on her face. Frederick recomposes himself, reiterating how he does not feel fear but was merely surprised or simply alarmed. "Lies! I hear your heart race even now!" Panne exclaims with a frown before turning her head away in pain. "It is all right. You do not need to pretend for my sake. I have grown used to fear and ignorance from your kind."
"You mistake me, good lady." Frederick says with a hint of hurt. "I hold no fear of the taguel. Behold what is in front of your eyes: are we not conversing as equals?"
"If this is true, then why were you scared?" Panne counters with no heat. Frederick sighs deeply before turning his eyes to the skies.
"When I was but a young boy, I lived in a small village in the hills." He begins, his gaze locked onto the moon. "One day, I wandered into the forest, where I was set upon by a mountain wolf. My wounds were most grievous...many in the village doubted I would survive." Frederick breaths deeply before turning his gaze to a now understanding Panne. "When you came running, you reminded me of the beast that attacked me and... I apologize, good lady. I did not mean to offend with my actions."
"I'm sorry, Frederick. I had no intention to remind you of such things." Panne apologises to him while masking her own surprise. She had not long known this man-spawn, and yet here she was apologising to him? Perhaps the Exalt had touched her heart more than she thought in their conversation. "Would you prefer if I avoided you on the field of battle in the future?"
"That will not be necessary." Frederic replies calmly. "When in combat—"
"The enemy is before you and you lose all fear, yes?" Panne finishes for him, to which he curtly nods in reply. Panne simply shakes her head with a small smile. "Spoken like a warrior. It is the same for us when we defend ourselves. Perhaps there are some things that we can find common ground."
"Yes, I agree." Frederick replies, "Now then, I must be off; you said that Chrom requires me?" At Panne's nod, he turns to leave the courtyard in the opposite direction of Panne. "I thank you for bringing this to my attention. And I promise not to show my fear in the future." He stops halfway through an archway before turning back to face Panne. "Although if you could avoid moving, that might help." He quickly says before vanishing. Panne simply nods to herself, oblivious to his request.
"Yes, well, I am sure I cou—wait, what?!" she exclaims before glaring at the spot he was in. "Well, if that is how you want to play it…" she says before turning the other way, plans for payback playing in her mind.
Darkness. That was all he could see around him as he woke. It should have been simple. Sneak into the palace, kill Emmeryn, steal her heart and the Fire Emblem, and cripple Chrom and his Shepherds. But no, instead, HE was the one to die while she yet lives!
"Nngh… How!?" He cries in frustration in the darkness. "My purpose is too significant… to be thwarted… here…." He stumbles forward before a pair of hands grab his shoulders, steadying him as darkness whips around him, healing his wounds and replenishing his strength. He does not see it, but his eye turns gleaming yellow as his 'rescuer' grins at him with his one eye.
"Save the monologue, Validar. You not leaving anytime soon." Validar looks at him, recognition and surprise in his eyes.
"Y-you are-" he speaks before the man places a finger on his mouth.
"Easy there, tiger. You will get your wish. But there is someone here who has been looking forward to meeting you." The one-eyed man gestures behind him; a person steps out from the shadows, purple fires encompassing their entire body. Only an outline of them could be faintly seen through the blaze.
"Who are you… Where did you come from? And where am I?" Validar asks the figure, which simply raises his hand to placet him.
"I am the power that compels you." He speaks in a familiar voice, but one that is corrupted by darkness. "You will not perish here. It is not written. You must live on to author a destiny greater than you know."
Validar narrows his brows. Who is this person? He looks over the figure until a familiar mark blazes on his right hand while gleaming red eyes pierce through the darkness. His eyes enlarge as a sinister grin forms on his and the one-eyed man's lips. "I-impossible! It can't be you! It can't be…" he says half projectingly. This moment was what he was waiting for!
"Ho, but it is my friend. This is the guy you have been waiting for your whole damn life!" The man says before slapping a hand on his shoulder as his grin intensifies while a dark aura surrounds them both. "What we have both been waiting for."
"I am the wings of despair." So the figure says as the flames rise upwards before forming into the same symbol on his hand. "I am the breath of ruin." The mark fades before developing into a draconic face with six gleaming red eyes, as a corrupted blade forms in his right hand with seven glowing lights engraved into it. A blade that the One-eyed man was highly familiar with.
"I am the fell dragon, Grima!"
Things are starting to kick off. I wonder if some people will pick up on what Grima has. If not, wait and see.