Month of Verdant Moon - Tower of Black Winds
Chapter 12
Torrents of rain poured down in buckets as lightning flashed overhead. Heavy rolls of thunder rumbled between the thick forest trees as I stood alongside the Blue Lions House looking up at a black tower, leaning heavily to the side as ivy and moss crept their way up the ominous towers side. The heavy rainfall pinged off our armor and weapons, covering everything in wet deluge that had been going on for days. It made the all ready very tense and repressive atmosphere downright unbearable.
I stared at the remains of the tower studying it through the curtains of rain from the shadow of one of the supply wagons as sheets of rain soaked my head only to fall onto my rainproof cloak. "Can you...repeat that once again, Ashe?"
I shook the rain water from my eyes as I looked the ominous black tower back up and down skeptically. The group of us looked up the bandit encampment, assessing the situation and making last minute observations as we discussed Byleth's plans. "The professor wants us to scale that?"
The young archer nodded glumly, his face echoing the atmosphere round us. "Yes, it appears that our quarry has holed up in this keep. Such a shame really."
Ashe shook his grey-silver hair, spraying water all over my face as I peered up at the lightning filled skies.
I watched the mad electrical storm arcing up through the tree lines for a second and a roll of thunder boomed out loud enough to drown out the loudest of voices. I waited for it to pass as the archer darted over to take shelter on the adjacent supply wagon. "Great. Fantastic...and correct me if I am wrong, but I thought I heard that it's Sylvain's brother who is leading these bandits?"
"Unfortunately that does appear to be the case." Ingrid marched up next to me, her spear in one hand, her grounded Pegasus mount in the other.
The Pegasus skittered, butting its white nose up against Ingrid's shoulder and lipping it softly for attention. Ingrid's stern face broke a little bit as she moved to pet her mount's white velvety nose. "Miklan was disowned by the Gautier family for not bearing a crest. He never did forgive Sylvain for being born with one."
"Shame, it seems like he would make a good leader given half the chance." I observed, swatting the hair out of my eyes as I sneezed.
Ingrid looked at me questioningly as I shrugged. "Think about it, Miklan was able to gather enough force on a short notice to be classified as a threat in Gautier territory, to the point he was able to break into the main estate. That's not something most people have the guts to do, let alone the ability to motivate others to help."
Ingrid's eyebrows clicked down into a growing scowl as she processed my statement. It looked like she was about to say something when an obscured figure strode up from behind us in order to get closer to the tower's edge. We all tensed as the dark, hooded, figure entered the area, only to see Dimitri's cold blue eyes staring out from under his heavy rain cloak.
"Take care there, and make sure you're staying warm and dry. " Dimitri came up and stood beside me holding his steel-edged lance easily in one hand. "We are just waiting for the scouts to return, but it does not appear that there is any other way in or out save the main entrance."
I snorted in disbelief.
Dimitri must have taken my scoff as a sneeze as he reached out and put his hand on my shoulder. "You should crawl into the back of the wagon and dry off for a bit before the fighting starts."
I rolled my eyes at him and ducked out from under his gauntlet encased hand. "I am fine. My rain cloak is warm and dry, it's just my face and head that are not."
A shadow rode up on my other side and the rain suddenly stopped pouring. I turned my head up to see who had moved into position to shield me from the rain as Dimitri patted my back hard enough for me to stagger and catch my balance. The prince moved further back into the supply area, as I turned my head back to watch Faerghus's crown prince pull himself up into the largest wagon in order to talk with Byleth who was meeting with the last of the returning scouts.
Half interested in listening to the scouts report, half interested in staying out of the rain, I craned my neck back in the other direction as I managed to lock eyes with the tall redhead who had raised his cloak in order to stave off the rain.
Sylvain gave me an easy smile as I crossed my arms and turned back to studying the tower in front of me. I was busy thinking about spare entrances and how I highly doubted there was only one way into the dark tower, that I almost failed to catch the cavaliers's pick up line. "Such a shame to see such pretty ladies standing around getting wet with no one around to comfort them."
"Sylvain! This is not the time nor place for those comments!" Ingrid barked angrily as she butted the end of her lance on Sylvain's chest armor for good measure.
"There is never a time for such comments." Felix appeared on Sylvain's other side like a ghost out of the rain and growled to the Pegasus knight. "Come on we are moving out."
"Well at least we will be able to get out of the rain soon." Mercedes and Annette darted in front of us sharing an umbrella. They sprinted over to another wagon, seeking some semblance of shelter from the pouring rain as they pressed up against the wagon's side.
I wanted to ignore Felix's orders and cut off from the main group to complete on my own scouting mission, keen on exploring the parameter of the tower for myself. I darted towards the side of the tree line and Sylvain followed after me a second later, clicking his tongue to urge his black warhorse up next to me as I pressed up against the heavy tree trunk.
A second later I heard Byleth start issuing orders. "Come on! Everyone Move out! The sooner we get inside the better!"
I looked towards the sky as lighting cracked overhead sending my hair on end. I gritted my teeth and darted to the next tree for cover. "This storm is getting worse..."
Sylvain followed after me looking tense as the action started on the front lines. His brown eyes narrowed as he frowned from on top of his war horse, watching the front lines with unsettling precision. He continued attempting to shield me from the rain, as Byleth and Felix moved forward to lead the front line. We waited towards the off to the side of the group, waiting for the front of the keep to open up while simultaneously allowing others to pass. The entrance way appeared to be entirely too tight for multiple fighters to fit.
I shook the water from my hair again as I reached another tree. "By the way Sylvain, thank you for earlier."
His horse pawed the ground next to me and the redhead had to pull his stead's head back as the black mare lunged to bite me. "Woah there, sorry about that."
He let his cape fall for a second as he pushed his hood back and shook out his hair. "Hey it's no problem, it's not often I get thanked for hitting on someone."
I shrugged unconcerned as I turned my attention back to the entrance way. Between Byleth and Felix the defending bandits did not stand a chance. "You don't mean it so I don't take it seriously. Besides you have been so...tense this whole trip it's nice to see you letting off some of that tension."
"You're certainly welcome to help me release more of it anytime you like."
Unimpressed by my companion's blatant suggestion I rolled my eyes, scoffing at his proposal. "Pfff, Ok philanderer, tone it down a bit. I only meant it as a way to say I am concerned about you. That was not an open invitation for you to test out new pick up lines."
Sylvain followed my line of sight but did not miss a beat in our conversation. "But I am totally serious! I am totally in love with you and would totally let you touch me anytime you like. Whether it is to relieve tension or not."
I ducked behind the tree and peered out into pouring the rain. There looked like there might be another building in the distance, but I was unsure. Torn between wanting to investigate and following Byleth's orders, I resigned myself to investigating it after the battle. With any luck, hopefully after the rain let up. I turned my attention back to the close quarter combat just in time to witness the professor's chain sword rip through the last enemy and observe Felix dart inside."Uh, huh - well if you really don't care, then you shouldn't care if I don some poking around or prodding then?"
Sylvain tensed almost immediately. I guess he wasn't as much of a fool as he liked to play. I caught the redhead tightening his grip on his lance as his horse snorted at me. Aware I was starting to tread on dangerous territory, I casually dropped my first question. "So if that's the case, care to explain why we are marching on your brother and why he is massacring townsfolk in your own territory?"
"Oh." It was pretty clear Sylvain was not impressed with my hard change in topic."I got news from my father that our family Relic, the Lance of Ruin, had been stolen. After a short investigation, it was discovered my brother Miklan was the one who had stolen it. He has been using it to terrorize the countryside, probably to get back at me."
"Relics? Why would he be going after you…." I had to think. It felt like I had heard of them somewhere. Was it in a lesson from professor Hanneman? My school work? My won research? Or was it my father?
It had been awhile since I had paid attention to anything outside my own research. Ingrid's comment about crests in inheritance came back to me, but I tried to put the puzzle pieces back together with a preoccupied mind.
Like something did not want me to remember it.
Troubled I put my hand on my chin and stared blankly into the distance.
"Man, are you even from Fodlan? Everyone knows that each of the major noble houses with crests have relics." He gave me a disgusted look and clicked his tongue to move forward as I set my hand on his thigh to get him to stop.
Sylvain threw a questioning look back at me and halted his advance as I let out a slow breath. "Sylvain, look, I am sorry to bring up something so obviously personal, but I would really like to understand. Something...something doesn't feel right."
The redhead winced and his next words sounded rather guarded. Like there was pain behind them. "It's true what Ingrid said, Miklan was disowned by my father for not bearing a crest. He lost everything when I was born and he resented me for it. Can't say I exactly blame him. But to go so far as to steal the family relic...I never thought he would go that far."
I was silent, processing the information. The words fell awkwardly off my tongue, as if they did not feel right. "So, the Sword of the Creator, the sword Professor Byleth wields is also a relic weapon. She uses it...with a Crest as well? Is that the Crest of Flames?"
Sylvain urged his horse forward and I kept pace with him for a few minutes. The wet clopping of hooves on broken stones overwrote the swish of my soft leather boots. The redhead growled, agitated with the conversation. "Look I hate talking about crests and relics alright? Can't we talk about something more interesting? Like say how dashingly handsome and charming you think I am?"
I removed my hand from his leg, shaking my head, still not entirely sure I knew the answers to my own questions. "Sure, sure, you're as tall and handsome as they come and equally as humble. Next thing I know, such a dashingly handsome redhead is going to ask me to tea or dinner like we are not just marching into battle."
My cheeky comment earned me a grin from the man riding next to me. "Man, how could you guess? So, how about it Lilianna? Join me around the campfire later tonight, you can treat my wounds and kiss me until I feel better?"
I held back a laugh. His pick up lines were as awful as they came, though this one held an air of desperation to it to the point I thought he might actually be serious. Swallowing my laughter I snickered. "If it gives you more of a reason to survive, how about we say I'll consider it?"
He stopped, the surprise on his face visible as his mind started racing with possibilities. "Wait, did that actually work?"
"No Casanova, but I figured I would return your shallow lip service to give you something to possibly look forward to. You never know when a woman might change her mind." I played the same game as him, not quite being serious, but leaving the invitation open in case I changed my mind. "Especially this particular one, I like to leave my options open."
He let out an empty laugh. "Ah, haha. That is so mean! I kind of like it."
I went to reply as Sylvain's lance cut in front of me, holding my advance. The protective reaction forced me to look forward to see what was going on. Felix had retreated back outside the building as Ashe picked off anyone who dared come outside. However the sheer amount of fighters rushing out of the building denoted that we were needed on the front lines.
"Alright, princess I am off." Sylvain shot me a quick wink as he rode off.
I ran forward a few paces and called after him. "Try to keep yourself in one piece Sylvain!"
I caught wind of his stressed laughter as the rain poured down on top of me.
The cavalier wasn't no time as he rode off to the front of the fray. "No promises!"
I stood there for a second as the rain beat down on my face, my stomach clenching as the battle changed. With Sylvain, Felix, Dimitri, and Byleth on the front lines the oncoming enemy stood no chance. However it appeared, despite even having a strong offense, that we were having a hard time getting through the front doors.
I clenched my fist and noticed Mercedes and Annette had appeared on my other side. The pair of them had changed into battle mage uniforms, Mercedes in a priest uniform similar to mine, while Annette sported the darker mage's attire. Together they looked ready to enter the fray.
Mercedes's turned towards me with a soft smile. "He tries."
"I am sure he does…" I shook my head and moved forward, my mind racing. Of rumors were true, Sylvain had a bit of a complex where he liked to throw himself into the face of danger. Admittedly that was just what Byleth had told me about during the ride here, but it also supported my theory that she expected trouble on this mission and further reaffirmed why she had requested a second healer.
I gritted my teeth and gripped my axe to make sure it still hung securely on my belt. Satisfied I had my back up weapon in place, I began to run forward, preparing myself for the eventual headaches that were almost inevitable at this point. "Still, I am not going to let him go in alone!"
Mercedes's airy voice called out from behind me as I raced for the battlefield. "Oh, sounds like fun! Let us come with you!"
The fight within the tower was an intense, high stake battle. As soon as we entered the tower we learned Miklan had not been idle while we struggled to gain entry to the keep. He had positioned archers on the spiral staircase in the middle of the tower. The winding staircase led up to a large platform at the top, making it a grueling fight that we had to fight for every inch of space we won.
Miklan's archers kept up a steady rain of arrows on the stairways forcing us to keep ducking behind pillars and rubble for cover. Almost everywhere the floor was wet with rainwater that leaked in from the ceiling, making our descent up the sloops slippery. Thunder roared and rumbled outside, so close it felt like the world was shaking. The blue Lion's front line fighters, led by Byleth, fought valiantly through the enemy ranks, level by level progressing toward the bandit leader.
I darted behind another pillar and heard the archer's arrow clatter off the stone next to me. I swore violently, a mixture of languages gracing my tongue as another arrow shot overhead. I ducked back down behind my shelter as the projectile clattered on the support beam behind me.
Enraged that I was still being shot at, my head already feeling like it was going to split open from repeated spell casting, I stood up and began chatting my next spell. My white magic formed around my hand and then shot towards the offending archer, slamming him with my enhanced wind spell, Zephyr, at the same time my headache retaliated. My magic slammed into the hapless archer sending him falling over the staircase. There was a shout behind them and several men adjusted their positions to fill in the gap their comrade's death had created. I didn't wait for them to take aim as I dove back behind my pillar for cover, gripping my eye to stop the pain.
I was rewarded with several more arrows pinging across the floor or past my pillar as I grumbled thickly in pain. "Come on…"
I continued swearing as I noticed a fresh cut on my arm. The material in my priest's robes grew redder as I examined the shallow cut, wondering where Byleth and the other front line fighters were.
Byleth had ordered us to split the party, the faster moving units to the front while the archers and mages provided the rear line support. Somewhere along the way the professor had also issued orders that we mages, were to provide a distraction for the archers up top while they advanced. She had taken Sylvain, Felix, and Dimitri around the corner leaving her rear guard at the mercy of the archers until they could show up.
I wound a quick bandage around my arm, gritting my teeth as another hammer of pain from my headache tore threw me.
"Arggg, they just keep coming!" I growled as Annette decided to take shelter next to me. Her small form running out from the rock pile next to her and huffing as she repeated the same duck and hide maneuver I had just completed.
"We just hold a little longer! Help is sure to be on the way soon!" The normally cheerful orange haired mage tried to encourage me as she slid to the floor in relief.
I finished tying off my bandage and turned my head to check on Ashe. The archer was positioned in an even riskier position than Annette and me, located behind a small pile of rubble that barely provided any cover at all.
Ashe was kneeling down, one leg flat on the ground as he somehow still managing to fire off shots from his hunched over position. The archer kept pulling back his bow string, barely even managing to choose a target before letting it fly. Most of his shots missed, failing to clear the high ledge and clattered down just short of his target.
I reached to my side in order to grab my water skin. My hand fumbled on the heavy leather strap, but soon I worked it free. I managed to take a quick drink before passing it over to Annette who took a long draft from it gratefully.
"I wonder what is causing the professor and Dimitri to take so long." She gasped as I realized the rain of arrows had suddenly stopped. I poked my head out experimentally and caught a glimpse of a familiar redheaded rider's frame as he lead the rush through the archers that had us pinned down.
"Looks like we are saved! Come on! Let's move!" I barked roughly and shoved my water skin back into it's case. The three of us nodded to each other and seized the opportunity by bolting out from behind our respective shelters as we collectively sprinted for the corner. I managed to shoot a quick glance over my shoulder and saw Felix slashing through some of the remaining archers. A second later a flash of ominous red light radiated from Professor Byleth, as she persuaded the lead. The Professor wielded a glowing chain sword, her Relic, just a few steps behind Sylvain.
Up ahead of me Ashe was knocking another arrow as he called out another warning. "Watch out! We have more company!"
A burly axe wielder burst out from around the corner, and charged towards us roaring. I heard Ashe yell as he dodged the attack. I didn't waste any time providing support, I let the magic gather up at my fingertips and let my spell fly.
The first bandit dropped at Ashe's feet as the archer pulled his bow back up for another shot. The archer narrowed his pale green eyes as he let his arrow fly at an opponent I had yet to see.
I didn't have time to consider who Ashe was attacking as a frighteningly soft call for help turned my attention behind us.
"Oh dear! Help!"
My body pivoted as I turned back around to see Mercedes stumbling and crying out. The healer's long honey blond locks drifted behind her like some unknown specter as three more bandits appeared out of thin air.
Annette was a second behind me. The mage turned pale she realized it was her friend crying out for help. "Mercedes! Oh no! We have to help her!"
I bit my lip, doing quick calculations as I realized we were caught in a pincer movement. Only quick thinking would save us now, not with the professor and all our heavy front end fighters one level above us.
Frantically I called out to Ashe, who was the most forward of the group. "Ashe! Behind us!"
Ashe risked a glance back at us and saw the impending danger as Mercedes sprinted towards us, hoping to outrun the bandits chasing her. "I am alright! Go help Mercedes!"
I gave a nod of acknowledgement and readied another spell, preparing for the backwash of pain that would inevitably hit me. The wind picked up around me and I unleashed a lethal gust of wind that shot down the corridor. As soon as I unleashed the spell I started running towards Annette.
The orange haired mage was busy casting spells of her own, trying to protect her friend as we both witnessed a javelin streak past Mercedes's head.
"Hang on!" I grabbed Annette's arm and prepared my teleport spell. I tugged the mage forward as the spell took effect.
"Right!" Her reply was lost as I cast teleport on the two of us. A Second later we landed smack in the middle of the small bandit resistance. I staggered as the pain ripped through my head, but I did not falter. My hands were busy, even as I was vulnerable. I yanked my battle axe off my belt and somehow managed to cleave through the bandit in front of me.
My headache grew worse as my opponent's blood splattered across my face, a dizzying, nauseous, feeling threatened to overtake me as a terrible, earth shaking, roar filled the entire tower.
The bandit group in surrounding us paused as we all looked towards the central platform in fear as a terrifying creature appeared at the top. The black and red creature roared its fury amplified by the raging storm outside. The bandit next to me let out a whimper as the two red eyes looked over the platform and locked eyes with me.
I gripped my ax as I met the beast's eyes. The hideous, deformed, beast began climbing down over the balcony. The abnormal creation dripped black and red as it stood nearly two stories tall. The creatures gaping maw charging at us as a spark of green light flickered on the edge of my vision.
In the next second I was standing back in the middle of the bandits, the man in front of me in awe that I had just appeared. I looked around frantically, unsure of where the beast was, and was greeted with the cold bite of steel bit into my back.
It took me a second to figure out that the blood curdling scream was mine.
I turned around, feeling like I was being split in two as I managed to raise my ax in retribution. With an angry shout I brought my axe down on my attackers head. The bandits light armor crumpled under my infuriated blow.
There wasn't any time for me to think about the flash of green light, as the platform above us started to crumble and a terrible, earth shaking, roar filled the entire tower.
A strong sense of deja vu over took me as I gasped up at the black creature once more in shock.
"W-we need to move!" I gasped as I started running, not entirely sure how I was still standing as the beast flung boulders at us from atop the main platform. By some grace the bandits attacking us also fled and I watched in disgust as they all dropped down into an underground system.
I didn't have time to bask in my victory how I had been right about the secret entrances as I dodged more flying rubble. I made for the nearest pillar, as the pain from my head and my back made each step utter torture.
I hazarded a glance out from behind my shelter only to see raging red eyes appeared at the top of the platform.
Annette caught sight of my plight and quickly ran up and put her arm around me gasping in shock. "What is that thing?"
"Gosh, I don't know Annie but it doesn't look very friendly!" Mercedes came up on my other side. Her holy magic began to flicker around us as she began casting. "Here let me help you."
I pushed her away and growled breathlessly. It was getting harder to breathe, and. even harder to concentrate. It took everything to put one foot in front of the other. "No time. We need to... get away from here!"
"Everyone over here!" Ashe waved to us from down the path.
He shot at one of the bandits that decided to following us as a pained roar from the black beast, in accompaniment of the thunder outside, shook the walls of the tower. Heavy debris fell down around us as we heard yells coming from the platform above.
My vision began to give out.
At first it was just fuzzy, and then it blanked out completely.
In my fading sight, Ashe turned into a battle-worn male with brilliant red hair and cold brown eyes. He appeared to only be a few years older than Sylvain. Life had not been kind to the man, scars covered his face, as he stood in jet black armor, a giant scar cut through the Gautier code of arms that embellished his chest plate. He growled and barked orders at people yet unseen as he grabbed his weapon with a roar of fury.
I blinked, and the next thing I noticed was that the rage filled redhead was then laying dead on the ground holding his weapon. The particular looking spear twitched and rattled of its own accord, the gleaming red gem at its core shone with fading red light as its wielder lay in a growing pool of crimson the same color as his hair.
I tried to yell, but my body felt so heavy it was all I could do to stare as my sight faded to black.
"Well now, whatever are you here of all times?" A perturbed voice called out to me and I groaned. "Come on answer me now, or are you just going to sleep there all day?"
The voice began to grow angry and I attempted to force myself to move. It was much easier said than done. I let out another low moan and forced my eyes to open. I blinked twice in confusion. The dark rain soaked tower that I had been in moments ago had been replaced by the strange green throne room. The radiant light that bounced off the walls and flooring stung my eyes, making my already splitting headache downright unbearable. I forced myself up into a sitting position.
"Yes I just might sleep here all day. Several days in fact." I groaned and pulled my knees up to my head.
"Well that simply will not do. I will not allow it." The green hair girl looked down on me from her throne. "You are intruding on me once again."
"You're point?" I looked up at her scathingly. "It's not like I asked to be here."
The girl pursed her lips and floated down to me. "Such a tongue, is that how you speak to your goddess?"
I poked my head up to glare at her. "I don't particularly care if you're the divine goddess Sothis or Asmodeus of the Underworld, my head's killing me."
"Oh?" She drifted closer to me and reached out her hand. "What is causing you so much pain that even being in the presence of one so great as myself pales in comparison?"
"I don't know." I rested my head back down on my knees. Realizing that while my splitting headache remained, the rest of my body seemed fine. "I feel like I have been watching events unfold over and over again and it's nauseating."
The girl's voice clipped a few octaves. "You don't say. Hmm…"
She reached out and ruffled my hair lightly. "Pick your head up."
I ignored her commands as she grabbed both sides of my head and pulled upwards with more force then I gave her credit for. "I command you to look at me!"
My head was forced out its resting sanctuary and I was forced to glare up the girl who shifted my head left and then right. Her scowling green eyes examined with interest as her lips pursed in annoyance. "Hmm, most particular. That is quite a predicament you seem to have gotten yourself into."
She let my head go and floated in front of me thinking. "Hmmm, that does look painful. It appears to be as if you're crest is...breaking?" She paused and looked me up and down. "But why is a better question? It appears that you are missing your heart stone, perhaps that is the reason? I would suggest to locate it as quickly as possible, if not your crest will just continue breaking. Then again, given the extent of your damage, you might not ever fix this and it might just delay the inevitable."
I groaned and put my head back down. "I wish I had just stayed asleep! Why now of all things? I have been searching for it for years! Why is it acting up now?!"
The goddess clicked her tongue at me. "It is no use whining about it. Your crest is clearly breaking apart and it's your own fault. Experimenting with magics you were not given or meant to have. You reap what you sow."
I snorted and pushed off the ground to order glare at her. "Last time we spoke you didn't have any idea who you were. I don't think you have any right to be admonishing me for that!"
"Well clearly you are behaving like a child so I am treating you as such!" Sothis snapped at me. "I have told you what you need to do to stave off your affliction, now shoo! We are still amidst a battle and I need to concentrate."
"The battle ended before I got here." I snapped back, my fists bawling up in anger at the young girl standing before me.
"For you maybe, but as a goddess I have much work to do!" Her cheeks flared as I paused.
"Wait, that wasn't a joke? You really are a goddess?"
"Yes you insolent whelp, I am the great goddess Sothis." She flicked her hand at me in order to shoo me away. "I have to repair the timelines from using the pulse. Had you asked me earlier I probably could have fixed your crest."
I folded my arms and tapped my foot annoyed...and thinking
As I came to, I heard a soft voice starting to panic over top of me. "Lilianna! Hold on!"
The full effects of all my injuries immediately started to take effect. My body protested as waves of holy energy started washing over me. I didn't want to open my eyes. My tongue felt thick as I groaned softly but opened them anyway. "Ugggh, what happened?"
"It's all over." Mercedes's soft smile peered down innocently at me as her hands sparkled with the holy light of faith magic. "You're going to be just fine, don't you worry."
I realized I was laying flat on my stomach, something cloth like kept my face from laying face down in the dirt. I slowly, painfully began the process of figuring out what had just happened, how many limbs I still had, and which parts of me were damaged. It was almost impossible as wave after wave of pain washed over me making it hard to concentrate on anything for more then a few seconds. "Wh-what happened to everyone else?"
I started with the smallest possible limbs to move. My fingers responded stiffly, but slowly informed me that I still had all ten.
Mercedes was somehow cheerfully bright as she answered me."Oh, everyone else going to be just fine."
I shifted my head a little to the side and managed to see most of our party crowding around the entrance of the tower. Felix was nowhere to be found, but I was able to spot Ingrid. The stern faced blond was blinding a fresh bandage around Sylvain's prone form a little ways off.
I coughed weakly and immediately wished I hadn't. Even the weak movements sent shivers of pain riding down my body, still I couldn't help but inquire as to what happened to the redhead to render him unconscious. "Sylvain?"
Mercedes took a minute to answer, and when she did her voice was even softer, as if she was full of regret. "He'll be alright. His wounds are not nearly as extensive as yours."
I wanted to say something sarcastic, to be angry at him for not keeping his promise, but felt nothing more than a growing concern. "That's comforting…"
"I thought so too."
Her answer wasn't as encouraging as I hoped, but I was barely able to keep myself together in between the renting pain radiating from my back and my excruciating headache that felt like my head was being split in two. Unable to do anything, and not willing to expand any more energy to keep the conversation going I lay still as Mercedes's continued casting her healing magic.
My sentiments were not shared by my healer however and after letting me rest for a few minutes, she turned onto a new topic of conversation. "You're back already held such a large scar, if you don't mind me asking, can I ask what it was from?"
I lay there thinking about my answer, silently praying to some god to just smite me down where I lay so I did not have to deal with the pain anymore. Of course it was never that easy.
I forced out a heavy sigh, my voice more stressed then it typically was as I answered her calmly, "I don't remember exactly…"
"That's such an interesting pattern, it looks almost like a shining star." Mercedes was either oblivious to my pain or simply wishing to compliment me.
I wasn't sure which, but the idea she could see that much of my scar gave me some semblance on why I couldn't think straight. "I remember it hurt."
That got a short laugh out of my healer. "I can only imagine. How are you feeling now?"
Unable to resist I answered with a heavy drip of sarcasm. "Like I was almost cleaved in two?"
Mercedes hummed and clicked her tongue at me. "That's only to be expected. I know that it hurts, but if you're stable and the pains manageable I do have others I need to tend to as well."
I realized she had a point. I had already used up quite a bit of my magic and healing when we were pinned down by the archers, and now I was fairly useless. Hating the feeling, I tried to push myself up off the ground. Not only did my strength fail, but my back felt like a wet noodle.
Seeing my struggle, Mercedes supported me as I tried again. "Here let me help you up."
The gentle healer helped me to sit upright and assisted me as I shuffled over to lean against a nearby wall.
"There, you should be alright now." Mercedes reassured me as she walked a few steps back and picked up the blue jacket from the ground with a motherly grace. I watched her, feeling dead inside as she shook it out and brought it over. I panted for breath as she draped the jacket over my front like a blanket. "There now, all nice and cozy. Ashe wanted to make sure you didn't catch a cold laying there on the floor, so make sure to thank him when he comes back alright?"
I gritted my teeth and folded my arms into my lap, hoping I wouldn't have to move any time soon. I managed to hiss. "Alright, I'll try...Thank you Mercedes."
The healer stood up and dusted off her skirt and moved over to work on Annette who was clutching an arrow in her arm. Mercedes turned back to me and gave us an encouraging smile as she grabbed the arrow shaft. "Just rest there for a bit. We are just waiting for Professor Byleth and Prince Dimitri to finish up. Then we can get you guys into the wagon and we can head back home."
"..."
"Annie, you might want to take a deep breath." Mercedes cautioned sweetly as the mage's face lost its color.
I said nothing as Mercedes yanked the arrow shaft out and Annette let out a shrill scream. I winced as I leaned my head up against the wall, my gaze heading towards the broken rooftop and crumbling platform, where rain poured inside and the rumble of thunder was still audible.
My mind raced as I stared up at the ominous grey sky. "She said it's breaking...huh? Wonder what that means..."
I must have dozed off thinking about crests and the floating girl, as I was alerted to someone crouching down next to me some time later.
"How are you feeling?"
The flat voice devoid of emotion could only be one person.
"Professor?" I opened my eye a crack to see what the professor wanted.
Alarmed, I opened both of my eyes. The professor suddenly had light green hair and startling green eyes that same shade as mine. I gulped and blinked again. The change was gone in the next instant, and I wasn't sure if I had just dreamed it or if it was some hallucination I was experiencing again. "I'm - I'm alive, feeling a bit sore that's all."
Something in her eyes told me she didn't believe my lie. Her cool blue eyes looked me up and down, assessing me. "I heard you were injured and I came over to see how you were feeling. Did you hit your head?"
I shook my head lightly and was rewarded with another wave of excruciating pain. The pain originated behind my left eye and ran down my back to trigger the damage in my freshly healed back.
I involuntarily let out a gasp of pain and grudgingly admitted I was still recovering. "What? Uh, no, nothing like that. Just... an old injury is bothering me... along with my back."
The professor seemed to study me for a minute and then her gaze turned to the entrance of the tower. "We are going to rest here and wait out the storm. We currently are gathering everyone for a prayer service and we will be lighting the funeral pyre soon."
It was more of a statement than a question. I wasn't an overly devoted believer in the church and that had been made abundantly clear with my grades in choir practice. Unsure of what Byleth was expecting from me I followed her gaze out into the rain.
"I would rather rest here if you do not mind. I'm still rather sore."
"I understand. Please take your time to recover then." Byleth turned her almost blank-expressionless gaze back to me as her hand stayed to her sword. The Sword of the Creator hung at her side, unable to help myself, I found myself examining it with interest.
Outside of seeing Byleth training with the Relic, I had only seen her use it during the battle at the church during the Goddess's Rite of Rebirth. I had not come into close contact with it before.
The sword looked less like a sword in a traditional sense, it appeared to be yellowing with age. The sword also twitched and moved on its own accord, the middle of the sword looking strangely hollow. It's presence was strangely unsettling to me.
I shifted my leg with a wince, and the gesture was not unnoticed by my combat instructor. Her gaze still was expressionless but she still managed to look concerned - Or maybe she was just thinking. I couldn't tell, Byleth was always pretty hard to read expression wise.
I turned out to be right.
The professor's voice sounded a bit strained, still overly flat, but with a hint of concern managing to creep into her voice. The change had me strangely anxious, but Byleth did not keep me waiting long.
"While we are busy with the funeral can I ask that you keep Sylvain company? I am concerned about leaving him alone while we finish our business here."
Her concern caught me off guard and I leaned forward despite my injuries."You really do care about your students don't you professor? Even if your face doesn't always reflect that."
Byleth nodded solemnly in agreement with my statement."I do, and I am concerned for the both of you."
"Aww, professor that's touching. You don't need to worry so much about me though."
"That doesn't change the fact you can both be reckless." She went to stand up, my gaze following her every movement keenly. "I heard from Annette that you teleported both you and her into the middle of the bandits."
I winced as Byleth looked down on me with disapproval. "Mercedes was in trouble, and everyone else was busy. What else was I supposed to do? You're always saying, protect the healers."
"You can look forward to seeing similar scenarios and outcomes in your next leadership class." The professor informed me flatly.
I rolled my eyes as she glared down at me."I'll make sure to skip the next few meetings then, you know to avoid the criticism."
My sarcastic answer was apparently not the correct one as the stoic professor offered me a hand up. "I will hunt you down and drag you to attendance. This is a valuable learning opportunity, for the both of you."
Byleth's voice and expression were flat as she pulled me up, but in it I sensed a heavy threat.
I gasp and coughed, feeling like both my head and back were being split open as I struggled to stand on my own.
"We can discuss your classwork later, but your attendance in my classes will be mandatory." Byleth ordered as she allowed me to lean on her.
The professor half helped half dragged me over towards the injured redhead.
I grumbled, not entirely the mood to argue with her.
Sylvain was still out cold when we fumbled our way over to him. His figure was battered, a testament that he was probably fighting on the front lines for the entire battle. Byleth assisted me, lowering me to the floor, as my back leaned up against the wall for support. I took a moment to rest as Byleth was called away to deal with the funeral.
As time ticked by I reopened my eyes, the pain becoming more manageable as my headache subsided. Almost everyone else had left the area, leaving it more blissfully quite. Mercedes had moved off and Annette was exiting the tower, chasing after Byleth, which left me with an unconscious Sylvain.
I shifted bit, crawling over to where Sylvain was lying, gritting my teeth all the while. The redhead's normally pale complexion was almost ghostly as he tossed and turned in his sleep. Concerned, and not all that reassured by Mercedes's telling me he wasn't in as bad a condition as I was, I leaned over. I could count the freckles on Sylvain's nose as he groaned and clutched for something at his side.
I willed myself to see what was at his side and hissed as I realized it was the spear from earlier. It looked similar to Byleth's Sword of the Creator in the fact it didn't look like it was made of metal. The tines on the spear rattled hauntingly as Sylvain gripped the shaft and then let it go.
Confused and more than a bit curious, despite my injuries I reached over him. I stared down, praying that Sylvain didn't wake up.
My hand touched the spear top and I gasped as a terrible black beast with brilliant red eyes stared back at me.
I hurried and pulled my hand away gasping for air.
"Hmmm..hey there cutie. What are you doing up there?" The redhead's tired voice forced me to open my eyes.
His warm chocolate brown eyes smiled up at me as I sat back, shaken. "That lance...that's the Lance of Ruin isn't it?"
Sylvain closed his eyes and signed heavily, as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. "Ya, it is."
"I am sorry…" I started as a light touch grazed my cheek.
"Why are you crying?"
"I...I don't want to talk about it." I muttered as I brushed the wayward tears away from my face.
"Aw, come on. I just woke up in the company of a pretty girl and now she's crying. You can't expect me to let that just go." Sylvain teased lightly as he winced, dropping his arms back down to his side. "Man, I am beat."
"Ya, well you look like it." I muttered thickly, unsure why the beast's image was flickering in my mind.
"You're right, and I totally feel it. Say, you think I could use you as a pillow? This ground is awfully hard."
I was going to protest, but Sylvain's emotionless brown eyes stared up at me and I found myself relenting before my brain even knew what I was doing. I shifted a bit as Sylvain shot me a small grin and dropped his head into my lap.
The wounded cavalier's pain-filled brown eyes stared up at me, looking me up and down in a way that made me question if I had just made a good decision. I bit my lip as the redhead closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "You know Lil, you come off as a total ice queen, but you're actually a nice person aren't you?"
I rolled my eyes at the redhead's comment and cautioned him tartly."Just be quiet and don't take my kindness for granted. Enjoy it while you can."
"I wouldn't dream of it." Sylvain replied solemnly, a worn smile tugging at his lips as I began to absently stoke his hair.
"You totally will."
"Maybe just a little."
Author Corner:
Alright chapter 12 is complete! We get thicker into the plot lines in this chapter - and have some more tender moments - a pretty good chapter all in all yes?
I do hope you enjoyed it - that you enjoyed the healthy dose of lore, story content, and character development! If you enjoyed it please consider giving the story a favorite, a follow, or a comment! (These things mean the world to me and I about cry knowing you guys are reading and enjoying it - I treasure each one.)
-Recap - Stop here if you don't want spoilers/logic-
So just to recap - we finding out more about crest - the Relics - and quite a bit about Sylvain, Lilianna, and the Goddess Sothis. Sylvain's brother, Miklan, is the one who stole the Gautier House's Relic the Lance of Ruin. An obviously tense situation, that hasn't ended well for either Lilianna or Sylvain. They are both licking their wounds so to speak, in the presence of each other's company. (I suppose Sylvain kind of got what he wanted?)
Lili certainly has a lot to consider, based on what Sothis has said about her crest. It's breaking - what does that mean for her and her future? You also find out Lili has been searching for her own relic for years. (Aka - you find out why she keeps raiding tombs.)
The Goddess is also saying something about repairing the timelines - and there is a flash of green light. I suppose its no wonder, since Lilianna is picking up on the use of the divine pulse - the goddess is working with someone. We also see the relics in action - the Sword of the Creator and the Lance of Ruin. As true to story - Miklan takes the Lance of Ruin and becomes a black beast. Sylvain, Felix, Byleth, and Dimitri are on the front lines to destroy it. While Mercedes, Ashe, Annette, and Lili are left as bait.
If you are wondering what Dedue was doing - he was holding off bandits as well. Lili's want to scout on her own - would have revealed there were 2 separate entrances, but three. The gentle tank would have held off the third round of bandits in order to make sure Dimitri and Byleth could make it to the end of the mission, while providing protection for the mages.
So ends Lili's jaunt in the Blue Lions - a impactful chapter in both Lilium Auratum and in Fire Emblem Three Houses to be sure - I hope you enjoyed it! Drop a follow so you don't miss the next chapter! How is Lili going to react to reintegrating back into school and monastery life - check back soon!
