The Journey Begins

When dawn broke, and with it, the coming of morning. After eating breakfast, Ike was given a general explanation of the continent of Elibe.

Dragons once lived in the land and coexisted. Eventually, the wars came between man and dragon. The world fell to chaos and the eight heroes rose with their legendary weapons for mankind to fight back. The dragons fled, and the heroes cemented as legends.

"St. Elimine founded Etruria, Roland founded Lycia which is largely split of many noble houses in an alliance, Barigan founded Ilia where a friend of mine is a pegasus knight, Hartmut founded Bern..." Lyn turned towards Ike as she explained. "...and Hanon is our beloved founder of Sacae. She wielded Mulagir, the Bow of Swift Wind." Her eyes glistening as she fervently spoke of her country's founder. "All the tribes in Sacae worship Father Sky and Mother Earth, and to keep our word and never lie." Ike smiled in response.

"Sounds amazing. I can't really say much about my own continent's legend." Lyn edged closer to hear about Ike's homeland. "I think I've heard dragons still exist," Lyn looked worried from his statement, but immediately felt relief after he finished his sentence in the next, "but I don't believe they're like the ones from the Scouring."

Looking up at the roof of the ger, he continued, "It was said much of the land became at war and caused a flood, save Tellius which was blessed by the goddess, Ashera. And war to be discouraged which could invoke the dark god sealed away in some artifact." Scratching his head in embarrassment he apologized, "I'm not as well-versed in history or lore. Soren, my father, and Titania are better suited for that."

Ike is far from knowledgeable of people outside of Crimea. He's yet to see people, other races and tribes like Lyn. To gain a broader perspective of the world in a new continent.

Ike looked at Lyn, "To tell you the truth, I didn't think there were continents like Elibe outside of Tellius. I suppose the world is a much wider place." Lyn only smiled back at him. "I'm sure you'll back home soon, Ike," she answered.

A good moment passed and Lyn decided to break the ice. "Ike..." She asked. Ike turned his head towards her. "I want to talk to you about something. You have some experience in the ways of battle, I can see. Would you allow me to travel with you?" Ike's eyes widened at her proposition.

"Do you not have your family, your tribe? Wouldn't they be worried if you decided to travel with me to find Tellius?" Ike asked with a worried expression. Her expression turned melancholic after his question.

"My mother and my father...died six months ago." Ike's eyes blinked and immediately opened his mouth to apologize, only for Lyn to hold her hand up to stop him. "It's ok, it's not your fault...My people—the Lorca—they don't... I'm the last of my tribe. The Taliver Bandits poisoned our water, and attacked, and... they killed so many people." Ike stood silent, listening to Lyn's sorrow.

To see a girl at her age, undergo a tragedy. If only their company was in the-... No, they're in Tellius. Ike was now in Elibe.

"The tribe was scattered. My father was our chieftain, and I wanted to protect our people. But I'm so young, and our people were old-fashioned. They wouldn't follow a woman. No one would follow me. I-I'm too wea-" just as Lyn was about to finish, Ike shouted: "That's not right!"

It's one thing for the leader to fall, and the responsibility of a successor to be someone so young and inexperienced. Should his father, Greil, be fell in battle, and Ike became the successor, he would not expect the rest of the company to follow him. Trust was to be based on merit, but Lyn already achieved at the very least some of it.

Standing to voice his complaints, "You've lived this long by yourself! You've fought back bandits that pillaged innocents!" Looking straight into her tear-filled eyes. "I'm far behind you, who's willing to risk herself for the local villagers. I've yet to have even a fraction of the skill you possess to protect the innocent as a mercenary." Ike spoke with a serious tone and continued: "You've fought and survived after experiencing a tragedy. That alone makes you stronger than what your tribe expected of you. I'm still reliant on my father and the mercenaries, but I take no shame in that. I have too many shortcomings before I can truly consider a part of the Greil Mercenaries."

Placing her hand on her shoulder, he once again spoke in a calm tone, "Take pride in the fact you lived on, stood steadfast, and continued to fight for what's right. That's what matters, Lyn. You are strong." The girl in question smiling, wiping away her tears, and responded while sniffling, "I'm sorry, you're right, Ike. I've been alone for so long... No, no more. I will shed no more tears." Having wiped away her tears, she gave her fullest brightest smile to Ike.

"Thank you. I'm better now. Ike, I want—I must become stronger so I may avenge my father's death!" She declared. Ike blinked for a moment and nodded. "You have that right. I have no place to question your goals, but don't lose your path."

Lyn stood up "I won't! Yesterday's battle taught me something. I won't become stronger by sitting here alone. Ike, let's train together! Let me travel with you!"

'Wait, did she want to join me in finding home, back to Tellius?' Ike pondered at her last statement. Was she willing to go with a stranger she just met on a journey with him to another continent, possibly join the Greil Mercenaries?

"Did you... want to become a mercenary with me?" She nodded.

"I don't mind, so long as we don't extort villagers or ask too much-" Ike immediately shook his head and responded, "The Greil Mercenaries focus on protecting villagers and fighting off brigands. No matter how minor it was, it was fulfilling work. My father, Greil, never demanded too much when we worked in Crimea. Even willing to take a job for little-to-none if he saw the villagers in deep constraints." Lyn's eyes beamed at Ike's introduction of his father's company.

"That's wonderful! Thank you! Oh, thank you! We'll be better off working together, I know it." Seeing her enthusiasm, Ike returned her smile with his. "You'll be the commander, and I'll be your peerless warrior! We can do it! Right?"

Now it was time for Ike to laugh. Him, a commander of the Greil Mercenaries. His father wouldn't dare give him that position before Titania.

"Ha ha ha! I've yet to replace my father, let alone be compared to him." Shaking his head in exasperation, he looked back at her, "We'll be both in each other's care. Thank you, Lyn. I may not have the authority to give you an invitation, but I'm sure my father will glady accept your skills."

Holding his hand, he spoke: "Welcome to the Greil Mercenaries, Lyn."

Lyn, in return, shook Ike's hand and gave him the warmest smile.

A man clad in black, with a turban wrapping the top of his head and light blue hair along with the right side of his face, spat out in frustration.

The spell failed.

To better facilitate bringing the dragons into Elibe, he needed to bring a catalyst to stabilize their arrival. What good would it be if they perished or lost their quintessence? What better power to prevent the demise of the dragons... than chaos?

Peering into the depths of knowledge of the highest level, one can obtain a slight glimpse into beyond the confines of time and the current world. And a notable figure stood out. Wielding the power of Chaos from a goddess that clashed with her Order counterpart. The Hero was said to have slain the goddess of order.

Why not use her champion and use him as a sacrificial catalyst to prevent the dragons from impediment? After performing the summoning ritual without regard to the specific time, he only achieved part of his goal.

"The gates must open. I need more power..."

Nils and Ninian must be found, along with the Hero of Blue Flames...

AN:

To Guests: Ike could be considered a champion of Yune, yet he was summoned without regard to the specific time and his existence summoned beyond the outrealm. However, in return, he was given slight change to his memories after passing through the akashic records equivalent that Nergal peered into (albeit Nergal couldn't get the full context of what exactly caused the entire events to unfold). Only the idea that the power of a chaotic deity will be a good catalyst to prevent the dragons from losing quintessence. Also, good catch on the Galdr, it will be a plot point as to why he suddenly knows the lyrics instead of just his mother's humming of the song. I also provided his explanation as to how he arrived from this chapter. Mainly because this was a prologue and introduction into the real story.

To Blast: Thanks!

To Idea: For now, he remains a ranger (a bit weaker than he was at the start of PoR)