Paralogue 11: Holy Darkness
A starry sky roamed over the small port, just south of the Devil's Ingil. At its centre, a stone monument of a royal sword thrust into the ground stood as its central piece, while standing before it was the ebony-haired dark mage. He looks at the sword before casting his gaze to the ground, words inscribed in its base covered by leaves. Sighing in disappointment at the sigh, he bends down before wiping away the leaves, revealing the hidden words.
In the Year Flostym 401 V.C.,
Alm and his trusted companions left the Village of Ram.
Their departure led to the end of tyranny in our lands,
And reunification with both Zofia and Rigel.
"A touching monument, simple in design but string with its message. I wonder how the heroes of old would react to events now?" The mage asks with wonder in his voice. His musing, however, was cut short by the sound of Pegasus wings.
"Akeru!" a feminine voice echoes from above. Signing to himself, Akeru looks at his silvette sister as she lands just behind him, concern written on her face. "They are back again." She says with exasperated tiredness. Akeru could only share his sister's annoyance before turning his gaze to the town's harbour.
"They will never learn, Gaia. Sellswords such as them only seek glory and gold. Trying to appease their human side can be a wasted effort." Gaia frowns at her brother's words, an argument already on her lips. "I can already tell what you're going to say, and you are right. Not all sellswords sell their souls, like Gregor, but some do. And unfortunately for us, that is who we are dealing with."
"But we can't keep repeating this song and dance. The people here will continue to suffer! Even the Resistance members who had stayed behind only number six. Sooner or later, the town will be ransacked!" Gaia protests, motioning towards the sea as a lone ship appears on the horizon. Akeru frowns at the sight of the vessel, its sails and body black as the night, even if it showed no signs of moving.
"Much as I hate to admit it, you're right. Thankfully, they seem hesitant to launch another night attack against us. No part due to my magic being more effective than in the light."
"You know it always makes me feel uneasy when you use that dark magic. Why can't you focus on the other elements?" Gaia asks pleadingly. "I know you have a natural resistance to the corroding effects of Darkness, but does that mean you can just use it with wild abandon?"
"Gaia, we have been over this how many times?" Akeru asks with a deep sigh. "You don't have to worry. I inherited this from our father, and I vowed to help others learn how to build up the same resistance. How can I do that if I don't practice what I preach?" Gaia opens her mouth to protest but relents. He was right, they have had this talk so many times, and it always ended the same.
"Fine. I'll drop it. But we better prepare for them. The sun is just about to rise." She motions her head to the horizon as the glow of dawn begins to rise above the sea. Akeru nods in reply before walking over to his temporary home, his mind winding to the inevitable crash.
"Don't start, Isa." Lea says with annoyance as he looks at his childhood friend, who is sporting a very uncharacteristic grin on his face. Not helped with Roxas and Xion sporting very similar looks. "I know exactly what it is you going to say, and I don't want to hear a word about it."
"Now, where would be the fun in that, Lea?" Isa replies while walking ahead, his smirk never leaving. "It was easy to see when we arrived after all." Lea sighs dramatically while Say'ri pats him on the back comfortingly while Roxas and Xion look ready to pounce with teasing remarks. "Is this payback for all the times I teased the two of you?"
"Maybe~." Xion replies before motioning her mount to take flight, her grin never leaving her face. Lea shakes his head in amusement before glancing towards the front.
"Lady Xion seems to be in a better mood, does she not?" Say'ri asks, her eyes fixed on Xion as she joins the other flyers in the air.
"I think her teasing the two of you is helping with that." Roxas's quips. "Still, any reason why we are still marching south? After beating Yen'fey's force, sorry Say'ri, I thought we would head straight for Walhart."
"You need not apologise, Sir Roxas. While the truth stings, it is better knowing than being in the dark. And as for our course…" Say'ri taps a finger to her chin as she pounders. "If we continue our path, we will find ourselves approaching the Port Town of Ram."
"That's the place where Alm began his journey, right?" Roxas asks. Say'ri nods in confirmation, electing a grin from the blond Bow Knight.
"There is no one in Valm who does not know of this." Virion interjects as he, Olivia and Inigo near them. "The deads that he and Celica displayed are of legendary recognition, the same level as Marth the Hero King and Ike the Radiant Hero."
"Ike? Who is he? We have heard a lot about Marth, Alm and Celica, but this is the first time about Ike." Roxas asks with curiosity. Virion looks at him and Lea with a glint in his eyes before casting his gaze to the horizon.
"Well, it may be only legends, but it is said there is another land beyond the seas. A land known as Telius. A land dominated by the Beorc and Laguz. The Beorc are normal people like you and me, while the Laguz are shapeshifters, like Panne and Lady Tiki. Of course, it has not been confirmed if such a land is connected to ours, but the possibility is there."
"V-Virion, you're getting side-tracked." Olivia interjects, much to Virion's embarrassment.
"R-Right. Thank you, Olivia." After clearing his throat, he continued. "Anyway, the land was split between seven lands. The Laguz loving Monarchy of Crimea. The northern Kingdom of Deain. The Empire of Begnion. These are the Beorc kingdoms. For the Laguz, we have Gallia, the land of the cat and tiger Laguz. Goldoa, home to the dragon Laguz. And finally, Phoenicis and Kilvas, home to the hawk and raven Laguz. There are apparently also wolf Laguz and Heren Laguz, who lived in the Serenes Forest, but again those are legends."
"Sounds like a lively place, but I'm betting my bow that it wasn't peaceful." Lea quips as the League pass a nearby forest. Virion nods at Lea's assumption with a grim look.
"Aye, I fear you are right. The wars that have happened between the two are numerous, as well as the hate between them, until the time of Ike. He was not a royal by any means, the son of a famous mercenary. But he had the strength and compassion of a lord. Wielding an indestructible sword, he helped the Kingdom of Crimea regain its independence from Deain but also helped end the bloody feud between the two races some years later. His deeds are shrouded in more myths than that of Marth and Alm."
Lea and Roxas raised eyebrows in interest. This world seemed to have many mighty warriors in its distant past, even if some may be fiction. But then again, what if those legends and rumours about Telius are absolute? If so, then could there be a chance that a descended of Ike could be around? Or one of his companions?
"Everyone! We are nearing the Port of Ram!" Chrom's voice from the front interrupted any thoughts Lea and Roxas had as the port came into view. It was simple in design, with a low stone wall around its edge. But what caught their eyes was the port itself. Or rather, the parts that looked to be scorched and ransacked.
Something was wrong here. And that ship in the far distance did not help either.
"What do you think, Robin? Walhart's forces?" Sora asks as the League enter the port, its streets empty while civilians hide in their homes. Robin glances around, his eyes viewing the walls and gate, before shaking his head.
"No, not Walhart. If it was him, then the walls would not be standing. No, judging by the smoke rising from the port, we are dealing with pirates."
"You would be correct." An older man calls out to them, walking over on a cane. "Those blasted fiends have been attacking us for the past moons. Ever since the Resistance left us to the winds. They only left six of their men to defend us! Six! Hardly enough to stop a Gallion filled with pirates."
"Is there no one else who can help?" Chrom asks with irritation in his voice, missing Sora's thoughtful look. The elder shakes his head sadly before glancing back at the port.
"No. We are only simple farmers and fishermen. Trade is our commerce. But there are two who are fighting alongside the men in port. A Dark Mage and Pegasus Knight." As the elder described the two warriors, no one noticed the future children giving discreet glances at each other.
"What's got you thinking?" Kairi asks as she, Aqua and Frederick approach them.
"I think we may know who those two are." Oceania confesses while rubbing her arm. "But we would rather not say before we see them. Don't want to go putting up false hope."
"Do you think it is more of you from the future?" The future ones look between each other as Aqua's question hangs over them before a call from Chrom breaks them from their musings. "I suppose we will find out when we reach the docks. Sounds like they are the only ones still standing." They say nothing as they follow the rest of the Shepherds into the dock, water-filled ships and burnt husks filling the piers, while in the centre stands Akeru and Gaia, their gaze focused on the distant ship.
"Are you the two helping the villages here?" Chrom asks as he approaches the two. They seemed to flinch at his words before turning around, shock plastered on their faces at the sight of Chrom and the Shepherds. Their eyes turned relieved when they spotted Lucina and the others amongst their number before Akeru cleared his throat.
"Yes, we are. My name is Akeru, and next to me is my sister, Gaia. We were originally here to help set up a base of sorts for the Resistance, but we have been left out for some moons now." Chrom sighs while massaging his forehead, irritation coursing through his veins.
"That would be because the Resistance had sided with Walhart. That's why you have been left here to fend for yourselves."
"Just great." Gaia moans before quickly, looking away as Xion and the other riders make their landfall. We have been holding out against this constant attack by pirates for days now, but any attempt to call for help has been ignored!" She glances around the harbour with sadness in her eyes. "These people can't hold out for much longer. We have tried to take the fight to them, but that ship is more advanced than you would think. It's nothing like the ships here in Valm or Ylisse." Chrom sighs in annoyance at the news, while Xion continues to stare at the two with curiosity.
"Well, Robin, got any plans we can use to take that ship down?" Lissa asks with anticipation in her voice, eager to hear Robin's plan. Unfortunately, her expectations did not last.
"Sorry, but I don't really have a plan for this." Robin says, shocking all. "While it may seem like a simple aerial attack with Tiki and Nowi leading the charge, if what these two are saying is true, they could be armed with something that can even harm them. And if they can be harmed, how would Sumia, Xion, Cherche and Cordelia last?" Lissa had no argument to Robin's reasoning as she sighed in disappointment. "We could try and force them on a reef or coral, but something tells me that any reefs or sandbars would have been removed when the port was made."
"Still, we can't leave these people to the hands of these marauders. There must be something we can do." Frederick says with annoyance. A feeling that was quickly spreading throughout the Shepherds and Guardians.
"I've got an idea." Sora suddenly interjects, a severe look on his face. "Whether or not it works, I can't say until I try. But if it does, then we won't have to worry about them anymore."
"What have you got in store for us, Sora?" Chrom asks with intreig in his voice, not noticing the look of recognition in the eyes of Lucina and the others. Oceania, in particular, looked to have stars in her eyes. Sora grins at Chrom before walking towards the front of the dock with Kairi, Gaius and Ventus at his side.
"Just wait and see." At least I hope it works…
Across the sea, the large galley ploughs through the waves, its decks lined with cannons as its sails catch the blowing winds. The ship's deck is filled with pirates and brigands, each armed with axes of varying qualities, while the captain watches over from the steering wheel. He wears a green sleeveless shirt with a belt across his chest, long ripped black pants and brown boots, while a venom axe hangs from his belt.
He wears a crooked smile as he moves his greasy black hair out of his face, briefly lamenting the little chance of cleaning it before he breaks into a song.
"Yar ha ho!" he cries as his crew cries back. "Scallywags of the sea are we! We fight like beasts, an' men do flee!" His smile grows as the crew sings back to him as they near the port of Ram, his men eager for the plunder. "We earn are gold with axes bold… Yar! Ye scurvy bilge rat! Why aren't ye singin'?" He calls out in annoyance at the pirate at the front, his attention drawn to something and not singing.
"Har! Over there, Nedata! Fix yer eyes on that. Do ye sees what I see?" Nedata growls in irritation before walking over to the ship's bow, his eye narrowing in annoyance before seeing the sight before him.
"Oh ho ho! What's this then?" He asks in amusement as the Shepherds fan out across the port, ready to engage them, while Sora, Kairi, Gaius and Ventus stand at the end of a pier, seemingly waiting for them. "A group o' warriors thinkin' at playing hero, eh? What a joke!"
"Arr captn', that fancy one with the blue hair? Isn't that Chrom of Ylisse?" Nedata strains his eyes at the far end, seeing the blue of Chrom's hair, before belting out a laugh of satisfaction.
"Yar! Ye be right! Walhart has placed a huge bounty on his head! We be feasting like kings after today, mates, in honour of my ancestor Nedata!"
"Yar ha ho! Yo ha har!" His crew cries back as they set full course towards the docks, axes sharp and ready. The sight of a ship as black as night, filled with blood thirst pirates, would send many running for the hills, but not the Shepherds.
"Looks like we have their attention. So what now spikes?" Gaius asks lazily while switching out his sweets. Sora doesn't reply, keeping his focus on the rapidly approaching ship, even as Chrom and the others call out to him to fall back.
"I'm hoping these guys know the 'code'." Sora replies with a grin, while Gaius raises an eyebrow in recognition. Kairi and Ven look between each other with knowing looks as the pirate ship closes in on them, jeers rolling from it like rain in a storm. Soon, its forward anchors drop, bringing the ship to a halt as Nedata and his crew jump off and onto the pier, a hungry sparkle in their eyes.
"Arr! Gut them all and bring me the prince alive! Walhart will reward us handsomely after this!" Nedata cries as he leads a charge towards the Shepherds, only for Sora to step forward, raising his right hand, signalling them to stop, before crying out to them with a straightforward word.
"PARLEY!"
Sora's voice echoed across the pier, his single word reverberating like the gong of a bell. The Shepherds looked at each other with confusion, while the Guardian's, future children, Akeru, Gaia and Gaius, smirked in knowing. As for the Pirates.
They found themselves screeching to a halt, with some bashing into others and creating pile-ups that would make Disney Town proud. Some unfortunate souls found themselves taking a drink into the sea as their comrades nocked them off. As for Nedata, he had stopped himself within an arms throw of Sora, looking back with annoyance at his floundering crew.
"Ye scurvy rats! How can ye be men of the sea if ye stumble so easily?!" He yells in annoyance before turning to look at Sora with intrigue. "Ye are a curious one. Know the code do ye?"
"I've had experience with pirates before." Sora replies smugly while Kairi and Ven hold their laughs in. One does not forget the experience of adventuring with Captain Jack Sparrow.
"Eh? What's he talkin' about? What is this 'Barley' crap?" Vaike asks with a confused look. The Shepherds next to him give similar looks of confusion before all looking at Chrom and Robin, only to see the two with equally confused faces.
"I'm not surprised none of you knows about it." Aqua quips toward the Shepherds with a smug look. "'Parley' is part of the Pirate code, something Sora is familiar with after his travels. Anyone who invokes the right of 'Parley' will not be harmed until negotiations are complete. That is what Sora was banking on, and it seems it has paid off."
"In that case, it's all in his hands now." Robin surmises before glancing back at the four on the pier. The pirates had all begun to untangle themselves while the ones who had taken a dive were swimming back to the ship. Nedata himself had walked up to Sora with two of his crew, faces filled with intrigue.
"This be a shock. Not many know of the pirate code on the land, so ye be a rare bred. Alright, what have ye to say to invoke 'Parley'?"
"Before that, I would like to know why you raided the Ram port. Is there any reason why it had caught your attention?" Sora asks calmly.
"Reason? There do be a reason, ye." Nedata replies. "Not much te plunder in Telius these days. Us pirates are a dying folk over there. But then a friend of Walhart offers us a deal, ye see. We would be his sword on the seas for free rein of the south of Valm and the Islands. Was an intriguin bargen at the time, aye, but now it be borein'."
"That so?" Gaius quips with a sweat in his mouth. "Well, how about we offer up a better deal than the red lobster? I'm sure blue over there can offer up something better."
"Oh? What can he offer up that we would find appropriate?" Nedata counters with a doubting look. "That Excellus fly gave us plenty of booty and pillagin'. What can he offer up?"
"How about the leadership of a Ylissean fleet?" Ven offers to the surprise of the pirates. "I'm sure it's not fun having to run away from hostile ships all the time, using up your supplies, water and rum, right?" Nedata looks at the blond with a sceptical look before it contorts into a frown.
"Aye, ye be right about that. The rum always be gone along with the water. Scurvy be our mortal foe too. But what makes ye think that working under him be better than being free?"
"Well, not only would you have a steady supply for your ships, but a stable source of income as well. You resort to being pirates to help your family and friends back home because you have no other choice, right?" Kairi's question causes several of the pirates to look at each other with guilty looks, while Nedata looks away, conflicted.
"That brings us to our offer. In return for joining the Ylissean Fleet, you attack Walhart's main fortress from the sea. You don't have to attack from the land. That is all. Do you accept?" Sora offers a hand to the pirate captain, who looks at it with a complementing look. Soon, a grin forms on the sea dog's face before he grasps Sora's hand.
"Ye got yeself a deal." Nedata replies before turning to his crew. "Boys! We are heading north to give Walhart a kick from the sea!" His crew erupts in an excited cry before rushing back to their ship. Soon, the anchors are raised as the ship lumbers away from the port, heading north. Sora, Kairi, Ventus and Gauis give each other smug grins before walking back to the others, looking at them with a mixture of awe and shock.
"How did you do that?" Chrom asks with surprise in his voice. "It looked like they were ready to swarm right over us, yet you turned them around with only words. Is this the strength of 'Parley'?"
"Well, we managed to convince them to attack Walhart's fortress from the sea. In exchange, they would join your navy so that they could have a steady supply of funds for their family and friends." Sora replies, not missing the look in Chrom's eyes.
"So, you managed to recruit an entire ship to our cause? Colour me impressed, Sora. This should help us a long way if it succeeded in tieing down even a small portion of Walhart's army." Chrom says with a smile. Any situation that ends peacefully was a win in his book. Emmeryn would no doubt be very happy at this if she was here. "Now then, I think we should have a talk with those two over there." He points at Akeru and Gaia, who were talking to Xion, away from the rest of the Shepherds. Sora nods in reply before walking over with Kairi and Ven in tow.
"That was an example show of Parley there." Akeru says as he spots the four of them approaching. "Although, I feel like the stories were exaggerated in a way." That raised an eyebrow for Sora. As far he knew, he had not said anything about his adventures in the Caribbean yet unless he was talking about it written in books, of course.
"Don't know why you are acting all surprised about it, brother. He admitted that he always had an admiration for pirates as a kid. Even wanting to be captain of the raft."
"Wait, how did you know about that?" Kairi asks with shock. The only people who should know about that would be her, Sora, and Riku.
"Father used to tell stories about it all the time. Even the time you raced to name the raft." Gaia replies with a sad smile, her words finally locking everything into place.
"Wait, but that means-" Xion says with widening eyes as the two turn to look at her with sad looks.
"It has been a long time, mother…." Akeru says with a distant look, while Gaia looks away. Xion looks between the two with wide eyes, before softening warmly. She walks up to the two, before enveloping them in a hug.
"I don't know what happened in your future, but I am sorry that I left you alone. But seeing you here makes me happier than you can imagine. Knowing that you are here means that Riku is still alive."
Wait, what do you mean?" Gaia asks, worry etched in her eyes. "Where is dad? Is he not here?"
"He volunteered to stay behind with Terra and Flavia to ensure Basilio survives his fight with Walhart." Chrom reveals with regret and worry in his voice. "Truthfully, I wished we didn't have to leave ANYONE behind."
"M'LORD!" Donnel's cry from behind drew the attention of all, as he raced towards Chrom atop his horse, panic spread across his face. "A report, m'lord! It's Khan Basilio! He's… He's dead!"
"WHAT!?" Was the cry of everyone at Donnels news. "Are you certain, Donnel?!" Chrom asks in anger at the former farmhand.
"He is Chrom. I saw it myself…" Everyone turned to the dock's entrance, a wounded Flavia limping into the port with Gules still in her hand. "Walhart and that damn witch Maleficent did it themselves."
"Maleficent was there!?" Sora asks in anger. Flavia nodded at him as much as she could, her body racked in pain.
"Aye, she was. Summoned damn rocks on us from the sky on the entire canyon. Even if the old oaf survived Walhjart's axe, he was buried under a cavern worth of rubble. As for Riku and Terra… I don't know. They could be dead for all I know too!"
"Riku's not dead!" Xion yells. "If he was, Akeru and Gaia would not exist anymore!" A chill went down the spines of all present as the thought of any of the future children vanishing with any of their deaths being the cause.
"But that raises another question." Tiki says with wisdom in her voice. "If Riku and Terra re not dead, then where are they now? I believe there is only one answer for this if what Excellus said to us at the Ingel was any suggestion."
"They are being held prisoner at the capital." Robin finishes with a grim look. "That only raises the question of 'why'. One I'm not eager to find out." Robin shakes his head before turning back to Flavia. "And what of Walhart's army? Are they still on route to us?"
"That's the thing Robin. They turned back to the north. No doubt because of Yen'fay's fall." Flavia reports, missing the wince on Say'ri's face at the mention of her brother. "Not only that, but the resistance members that were with him have also dispersed. His numbers are no longer as formidable as they once were."
"We are lucky for this reversal of fortunes." Tiki surmises. "But if we are to end Walhart's reign, we must move with speed. No doubt he would have seen to the fort we assault be reinforced. If you will it, I have an idea of a path we can take that lets us avoid the fort."
"But won't that leave us open to an attack from behind?" Lissa asks worriedly.
"Not if we are quick." Robin counters with a grin. "If we are fast enough, we can remove Walhart and defang his entire army with one go. The force he would have to leave behind would not be large either, only enough to slow us down by several days." He looks at Tiki with a grin. "A brilliant idea, Tiki. You sure you weren't a strategist back in Marth's days?"
"Come now. It was a logical solution to our problem." Tiki replies with a blush. It quickly fades, though, as she puts on a serious face. "Even so, I recommend this is our best option to catching the Conquerer off guard. You but need say the word Chrom."
"Before we do, I have something from the old oaf." Flavia interjects, holding up Gules in her hand. Everyone looked at the red Gemstone in awe as it levitated out of Flavia's hand before inserting itself into the Fire Emblem on Chrom's arm. "That's right, Gules. Don't know why the oaf had it on him. Probably for some joke or something. He always did love his surprise, damn him."
"Whatever his reasons, I accept his gift now and gladly." Chrom says as he looks at the Gem with sorrow.
"Khan Basilio was a titan… There is no replacing a man like him. His wake is too vast. I-WE should have tried harder to convince him not to go… And now we put Uncle Riku and Uncle Terra in danger…." Lucina grieves along with the others.
"Wakey wakey!" Excellus cries in deranged glee before the captured Riku and Terra; green chains are holding them down, kneeling, their hands clamped shut. The two warriors of the Key glare at the slimy man as he shuffles away. "I'm so glad you are awake. Can't start the party without you being able to see it now, can we?" He cackles like a maniac before turning toward Walhart and Maleficent. "Well, I would love to stay and see what happens, but I need to oversee plans for our fated clash with the prince. Tah tah!" Waddling at a sprint, Excellus leaves the dimly lit room, not noticing Pete hiding near the door in the shadows, a worried look on his face.
"Are you sure this will work, Maleficent? Did you not say these two are immune to the effects of darkness?" Walhart asks with scepticism. He doubted that Maleficent's plan would work. Maleficent, in turn, simple smirks at the Conqueror.
"Have no fear, Walhart. With the Gemstone you have given me in my possession, we need not fear." She gives of a slight cackle before walking toward the bound men. "Now then, remember back when the two of you worked for me?"
"Work? More like enslavement, witch!" Terra spits at her with anger in his voice. "Don't think I've forgotten when you used me to steal Aurora's heart!"
"And I would hardly call our time as partnership either!" Riku adds in. "You used me as a puppet, stringing me along with false hope and empty promises!"
"Such slander." Maleficent bashes aside their comments without a glance. "I did no such things. All I did was stoak the darkness in your hearts. You have only yourselves to blame for your action. But I did not come here to reminisce on the past. I came here, to retrieve my useful pawns." She holds up her staff as a green fire engulfs it, dripping onto the floor, before racing to circle Riku and Terra. "Your resistance to darkness is commendable, but your minds, on the other hand…." Maleficent speaks as though she is lecturing a child as the flames engulf the two, screaming in pain as the fire rush over them. "…are like an open book."
No sooner does she finish speaking do the fire fades, leaving Terra and Riku unscathed, save for one difference. Their eyes are blank and lifeless. Maleficent smirks in satisfaction before frowning instantly.
"Is there a problem, witch?" Walhart asks with indifference. Maleficent sighs irritably before turning to face him.
"While the spell was successful, it would seem their will is far strong than I expected. So long as they are in the castle with me, they will obey. But the moment they or I leave, the spell will break. At the most, they will be only useful as bodyguard pawns."
"Hmph. Better than I had thought would happen." Walhart begrudgingly accepts, secretly impressed at the will of the two. "Keep them with you at all times. If their wills are as strong as you say, they could break anytime they leave your sight." Maleficent says nothing, silently following him as Riku and Terra follow her obediently. No one notices Pete leaving the room in a different direction, his face locked in fear.
"If Maleficent did that to them, what are the chances you could do the same to me? What would she force me to do? No whay do I have the same will as those brats… doh…." Pete silently speaks to himself while staying in the shadows, glancing out a nearby window. In the distance, the formidable Last Bastion stands, its shadow casting over the city. "Guess I only have one option now…Just need to wait for a chance…." Pete mumbles to himself before slinking off.
He was not going to end up the same as Riku and Terra.
An old shrine built into a mount stands against the elements, the stone pillars weathered by the elements of countless years. Before its opened doors stand a trio of unlikely fellows.
At the centre, a young woman with long flaming red hair and brown eyes, her myrmidon suit consisting of lilac and black colouring, while on her hip lies Amatsu, some of its blades broken off, yet still usable.
"Are you sure there have been sighting of Risen here, Priam?" she asks the hero on her right. The man in question has long black hair and a green bandana, while a long red cape flows from his back. In his right hand, is a long golden sword, emanating holy power.
"Yes, Honō. The reports said that 'shadowy begins with red and yellow eyes' were seen skulking about in this holy place. Not that anyone can remember what this place was, of course."
"Well, what are we waiting around here for?" The second hero asks as he hefts a unique sword onto his shoulder. Its inside was a mixture of cross-cutting beams, with the axe on his back showing a similar open design. His armour colour was a deep purple and black, with the leather a deep drown. His hair was black and spiky, with a single bang going across his face, while on his cheek was a cross-shaped scar. "The sooner we get in there, the sooner people around here can sleep easy at night."
Honō looks at him with a simple grin, holding back a good-natured chuckle. "Always straight to the point, Zack. Tell me you haven't already memorised our plan of assault, have you? We have not even devised a plan."
"Ah, let the lad have his fun, little miss." Priam interjects good-naturedly. "Anyway, why don't we start our investigation. If we find nothing, then all is well. If not, then Ragnell will see them through." He motions to the blade on his shoulder with a smirk. Honō shakes her head at him before sighing lightly.
"Very well, you win. Now, let's go." She states while drawing Amatsu, walking towards the opened shrine door. Zack and Prima nod in reply before following her forward into the dark depths.