Chapter 20x: Imprisoner of Magic
"Dammit!" Ike shouted out while banging his hand against the tree. Everyone's expression turned grim upon Legault and Matthew informing them of what happened to Uhai. "I should have stayed there! I should have taken him back to the ship!"
The group was some distance ahead and finally reached the rotted tree. The spies quickly caught up with the lords and explained the gist of what happened to Uhai.
Legault shook his head at Ike's self-admonishment.
"I was there when he was ambushed. I hesitated when he attacked Uhai. I also hold responsibility."
"Still... you lost your friend..." Ike replied with a concerned expression towards Legault. "If I'd been there, he would have remained alive."
Legault stood for a moment before shaking his head. "I was lucky to not be discovered to be on your side. That Ephidel did not seem to realize I was present or 'captured'. If Uhai and I returned together, they would have spotted us. I chose to be in this army out of my own will. And I plan to repay that cur in full."
Best-case scenario, even if Legault was discovered to be on the Lycian army side, they might not link him to Brendan. But if both Uhai and Legault were discovered, it would be one-too-many. It would cause too many suspicions against the original Fang. At best, he would be marked as a deserter and traitor. He still needed to inform Brendan's agents back in Lycia, and remain in the shadows. For the time being, he'll take the opportunity hide with the convoy waiting for the moment to strike.
Hector looked to Matthew who nodded. It seems he chose to trust in Legault for the time being. Even after the whole incident with Leila.
"He was... honorable." Lyn spoke up bringing Legault's attention to her. "He believed in your leader and his sons. And if he's your friend, he believed in you."
Legault closed his eyes at her words and nodded.
"Yeah... Uhai was great man."
Just as the group prepared to head West, they could see ruins off into the distance.
"Just like Uhai told you. Once you arrive there, the ruins that lead into the Dragon's Gate should be there." Legault's voice came out within inside the convoy.
Finally, they were one step closer to their goal. However, Ninian halted and stood silent. Eliwood's attention went to her.
"Ninian? Are you all right?" Eliwood asked her.
"…Beware! …The enemy comes!" The others became alert at her warning. Their hands already at the handles of their weapons. The rest of the army trailing behind them also prepared for battle.
"Enemy?" Eliwood voiced out.
Upon those words, they could see enemies coming out in droves from inside the ruins and old forts. A rune lit up before Eliwood and a shaman appeared before the Lycian Lords and Ike.
"Eliwood of Pherae! Prepare yourself!" The shaman shouted out as he readied his tome.
But his chant was cut short by Ike's dash and using his pommel to strike at the throat of the caster. The shaman choked and stumbled back until Hector also moved forward raising his axe and swinging at the stunned shaman.
"Gah!" He voiced out right before he fell.
With the shaman fallen, they looked into the distance where a sage occupied the entrance into the ruins, along with pegasus knights, mages, and knights strewn about, blocking the path. The group looked carefully at the leader, with Ike's eyes widening alongside Lyn at the figure who stood in their path.
"Is... is that Marquess Araphen!?" Ike spoke with surprise. Rath, Sain, and Kent who were behind their leaders widened their eyes at the green-haired slicked-back figure with a pronounced pointed nose. The other Lycian lords looked utterly confused as they've seen the marquess at least once as well.
"Wait... that man's hair is green, not yellow..." Lyn added.
If he dyed his hair to become blonde, he could perfectly pass off as the marquess. Surprised no one in the Fang decided to replace Marquess Araphen with his look-alike to provoke conflict in Lycia.
"Does it matter if he's a doppelganger!?" Hector voiced out in complaint. "Why waste good breath on words when there's fighting to be done! C'mon!"
Ike shook his head to gather himself. Hector was right, they had no time playing games to point out a very convincing look alike. Even though he encountered Eubans and that one Black Fang in that fortress a year ago who also looked very similar.
"Fliers, defend against the fliers coming from the West!" He announced. The trio readied their flying mounts and remained within the mountains to fight off the pegasus knights. "Spellcasters, engage with the knights and attack from a distance! Cavalry, ready your javelins and attack with them! Archers, use the trees to your advantage and attack their mages!
"Lycian forces and Greil Mercenaries, CHARGE!"
"""Yes Sir!""'"
A single man stood within the ruins, praying, hoping for peace. He had split-ends short gray hair that matched his cape. With a priest garb and rod in hand, he heard footsteps.
"Who are you, you're not with the Black Fang, are you?" The young voice called out from the entrance of the ruin.
He turned to see the source of the voice, only to see spiky blue-haired lad, far too young to be fighting in his opinion. He held a sword and wore a blue coat on top of a red shirt with red cape with tattered ends. The green bandana he wore at his forehead had a Sacaen style spiked pattern.
"I'm Renault, I'm on a pilgrimage." He answered.
The boy's eyes flickered upon mention of his own name. Did he know of him, perhaps? He was once a renown mercenary, but that was many years ago.
"Sorry about that, we're a mercenary band working together with the Lycian Army to fight against the Black Fang on the island." The boy responded. "You should probably stay here for the time being, since you are a bishop."
Renault nodded quietly at the boy. Getting a closer look at his equipment... his eyes widened at the stiletto strapped to his right leg, with a brown handle and cross-section along a pointed edge. This was...
His mind flickered back to when he engaged with a man. A particularly strong mercenary to which he fought with great difficulty. A man who was also renowned mercenary like he once was. When he finally slain the man, a young blonde boy with blue eyes, around the age of three, alongside who was presumed to be his mother and the man's wife, looking in horror at what he committed. Their tears falling as they huddled around the man he killed. Guilt permeated his being, and he left in a hurry. Leaving behind the quintessence he was to collect and a grieving family.
His mind finally snaps back with his finger pointing to the dagger that was with the young mercenary.
"That... That dagger..." The boy's eyes was already alerted upon Renault's pointed finger and lost composure.
"This was a gift by one of the men under my command whose father was slain by this dagger. It was to let go of his grief, his greatest burden. And for me to remember him for his actions. He is currently fighting alongside others at this moment." The boy explained. Renault's paled face and hyperventilation didn't help the focused gaze the young commander had on him. "Do you know of this person, perhaps? Bishop Renault?"
He addressed Renault with his title and name. Renault took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Upon exhaling, he opened his eyes and stared into the boy's cerulean eyes.
"I thought I could escape battle here on the Dread Isle. But since you're here, I'll assist you." Renault spoke calmly.
The boy narrowed his eyes and asked: "But why?"
"I am only looking for tranquility. If helping you will bring it to me, then I will lend you my power. Not that I will be that much help… But I am familiar with this island and its ruins." Renault answered.
He did not lie. He wished to find peace by fighting with this band of mercenaries and the Lycian Army. And to find the one he wronged all those years ago. Even if he died by their hands, it would only be a just reward for a wretch like himself.
Ike stood for a moment staring at Renault and nodded.
"Very well, I'm Ike, Commander of the Greil Mercenaries in Elibe. I'm also commanding Caelin, Pherae and Ostian forces within this army." Ike explained to Renault, whose eyes flickered at the mention of Caelin.
"Let's move out, Bishop Renault."
Upon those words, they headed out of the ruins. The others were still engaged with the knights and mages. Renault looked at the battlefield and saw a blonde figure, who looked effeminate to be mistaken for a woman. However, in his eyes, he saw the child of the man who he killed. Ike caught notice of Renault staring at Lucius. His mind piecing together a conclusion that he didn't think was possible, or rather, a chance so low that odds of it happening, as well as him and Lucius coming across it were too far-fetched.
He would have to observe Renault's actions carefully thereon.
Aion held a glare at the Lycian forces and Greil Mercenaries who looked dumbfounded upon his first appearance. For what reason did they appear to look surprised at him? No matter, he would prevail against these forces with calculative insight. Unlike Uhai who fell before them.
As the forces advanced, he readied his Bolting tome once they appeared in range. However, he felt something strange within a moment. He cannot feel magical energy within the surroundings.
"Wha-What?! The magic power of this place… The source is…distorted… I…I can't use any of my magic!" He exclaimed.
"Lord Aion! Disaster! A magic seal!" His subordinate called out and pointed Northeast to some distance away from himself.
A red cloaked figure who appeared to look elderly. He knew what ilk they were.
"A magic– That good-for-nothing has shown his face?! Curses… I'd not foreseen this!" He cried out.
He couldn't use magic within a vicinity of a Magic Seal. He gritted his teeth, but it was still manageable. The Lycian and mercenary forces would also be afflicted with no way to utilize magic. Their spellcasters will also be useless against the seal... at least until he spots a bishop amongst the enemies. The bishop used his rod to skillfully bash and maneuver using his temporary weapon without the usage of a tome. He quickly dispatched the foes in his path while some of his comrades watched in amazement of this supposed spellcaster fighting like any veteran of combat.
The next thing he knew, he saw the Lycian army within a close vicinity to him, having slain most of his mages and knights due to the seal. The Lycian army quickly adapted and shifted tactics. A lone Sacaen archer on horseback, aiming his arrow at Aion. Aion panicked as he had no way to fight back and he couldn't retreat.
"...Do not think of this as personal. Your face has nothing to do with it." Rath spoke with a blank expression.
Confusion was evident on Aion's face as he heard the Sacaen nomad's words. What did his face have anything to do with him?
The next moment, he received an arrow straight into his chest from the nomad. Straight into his lung.
"This can't be... happening..." He voiced out, blood coming from his mouth as he spoke. He fell forward, his plans and calculations, all ruined...
"So none of you can use magic?" Ike asked the group situated outside of a certain range.
"Indeed. Within the vicinity, we cannot utilize our spells. It seems as though the source of which our tomes gather power from the surroundings to enact magic cannot be used." Canas explained.
Lucius, Serra, Erk, Canas, and Priscilla all stood outside where they could still use magic. Renault however, went ahead to engage with the enemy despite also being a magic-user. The others who held weapons were engaged with the enemy inside the anti-magic zone. Just as Ike stepped forward to find the source and clash with the enemy, everyone's eyes widened.
"Ike!" Erk called out. His attention went to everyone's shocked face. Lucius's mouth gaped opened, Priscilla's covering her mouth in shock, while Canas's eyes widened. Serra remained internally screaming to herself at Ike's current form.
Ike's figure began to become transparent, it was as if he was fading away. Lyn and some of the others took notice and looked horrified. In the next moment, the convoy sped up to Ike who was disappearing and out came Jake, taking him by the hand away from the vicinity of the magic seal.
Ike's figure turned to normal in the next moment.
"Whew! That was close, you alright, Ike?" Jake voiced out. He turned to the rest of the fighters: "It's ok, it was just a spell that attacked him, keep fighting!"
The others looked to one another and kept engaging with the enemy. As long as their commander was safe. They would have to inquire about what happened later.
"What was...?" Ike voiced out.
Ike turned... ethereal for one moment as if his body was becoming ghostly. Anna came out from the carriage while Merlinus was peering out looking confused as to why he sped forward to save the army's commander.
"It seems as though the spell that brought you here to Elibe is an active spell. A Magic Seal disrupts the magic source, mana in the given area, preventing most tomes and staves that gather mana from being used. That doesn't include pre-prepared mystical items with magical energy stored inside. Your existence seems to be tied to an active spell formula on you, that anchors you to Elibe so long as mana is present. However..." Anna winked at Ike in a playful manner. "If you want a quick way back to Tellius... you can enter back inside if you wish." Jake scratched his head at his girlfriend's blunt solution to Ike's problem.
Ike's expression turned grave. Everyone's eyes looked towards him, some curious, some concerned, and others as if they had seen a ghost (Serra), who shut out the explanation from Anna within their shocked state. Ike stood silent for a moment before shaking his head.
"No, let's just deal with the Magic Seal." Ike voiced out. "I have job to accomplish and a job to finish. I can't cancel it midway like this."
Although he missed his family in Tellius, he wanted to return the right way. His family should be fine, even if it will take longer. To abandon his friends and comrades here, a disaster might befall them soon after without his help. He would probably regret it immensely if he chose to leave them to fight against Nergal.
He then turned to the spellcasters present and spoke: "Everyone, none of you need to tell anyone what just happened. I'll still be here. But we need to deal with the Magic Seal." Everyone's face was still concerned over Ike, save for Serra, who was still frozen thinking Ike was still a ghost.
"Wise choice." Anna smiled as she put her finger on her chin. She then pointed to Renault, who was speeding toward a red-cloaked figure in the distance. "I think someone is already on it."
Twirling his rod as if it were a weapon, he struck at one of Nergal's creations that he recognized, only to hit nothing. The cloaked figure disappeared the moment a rune came underneath his feat. It seems as though that was a pre-prepared teleportation spell or item that wasn't disrupted by his presence. With that, the battle was done and Renault muttered himself as he went towards the ruins.
"Everything should be done now. We can leave for the Dragon's Gate." She spoke as she went back into the convoy along with her boyfriend. Or rather, went off to loot the enemy. Legault's observing eye peered into the situation a moment ago in curiosity, before joining the couple in their looting effort, along with Matthew. Merlinus however, did not want to join in, even if he would have gained slight profit. The four would burn the enemy to ashes afterwards, and share the profits to the company, even though some looked upon the scene with narrowed eyes. It was a job for them, and they could quickly catch up with the rest of the army.
The magic users stared at Ike with concern, until they decided to head to the ruins (with Lucius holding Serra's hand which finally snapped her out of her stupor and leaving off happily). Ike stood up only to find a green figure coming towards him. It was Lyn, dashing and went into his chest, holding him tightly as she hugged him. Ike stood surprised and in place as Lyn embraced him.
"I-I don't what's coming over me... I thought you were going to disappear in front of me..." She muttered into his chest with slight tears wetting his clothing.
Ike would have likely done so, had Jake and Anna not saved him the last minute. Moreover, Ike did not want to leave them like this. Not when he had a mission to accomplish that risked the lives of his men and comrades. Especially, Lyn...
"Yeah." Ike responded, reciprocating her embrace as he held her. "I'm still glad to be here..."
Even if he was homesick, at least he had her along with the people who followed him under his leadership.
"Um... I hate to break this moment, but what happened to you a moment ago...?" Hector's voice called out to the pair, who quickly separated.
Eliwood and Hector came forward with confusion on their faces. To which Ike nodded.
"Anna explained the spell that brought me here was canceling itself until I got out of the range of that Magic Seal. I was on the verge of returning to Tellius it seemed." Ike explained truthfully. "Good thing Jake took me out of there, right?"
Everyone's face became concerned at Ike's explanation. He lost one of his chances at returning to Tellius. They knew he came here through unknown means, but apparently it really was some sort of spell.
"B-but you could have returned, Ike!" Lyn voiced out. "We would have dealt with Nergal and the Black Fang ourselves!"
"So that's how you were brought here?" Hector scratched his head at Ike's explanation. "Don't you have family that you want to return to? I wouldn't have minded much if you left midway. It's just..."
Ike shook his head and smiled. It was fine. His family in Tellius could live another day without him. He was confident his father could keep the company running without him. He wasn't even an official officer yet.
Eliwood advanced forward to Ike with a sad expression and spoke: "Are you sure?"
He knew what it was like to be separated from family, so he would not have faulted Ike for leaving midway. He did pay for their voyage, after all. Ike stood for a moment before nodding.
"Absolutely. I promised to my employers and friends I would see through this job. I promised you'd reunite with your father. That, and Darin along with Nergal would be stopped." Ike reassured to Eliwood. "All of you will get your money's worth. Besides, Anna and the Davros are still awaiting my total to be finished."
Whatever Darin and Nergal were planning, it was likely no good. For now, they needed to stop their ambitions for good.
"Hey! We're the ones who owe you!" Hector pointed out. "When we arrive back in Lycia, we'll do our best to get you the funds you need!"
Ike glanced back at Lyn and smiled. He'd stay in Elibe a little longer. She, in return, reciprocated with a nod of her own.
"Still..." Everyone's eyes went to Hector as he spoke. "Who was that guy who caused the area to be magic-free? Until that bishop who ran around whacking every enemy with his staff, he disappeared. I could tell the cloaked man was the one behind everything."
Everyone became silent upon Hector's inquiry. It was true
"True... Who could that have been? The Black Fang couldn't use magic either. So it wasn't an ally of theirs…" Lyn pointed out.
It might not have been on Nergal's side. It hindered the Black Fang considerably and barely their own troops since the only spellcasters present on the Lycian side could be counted with one hand while the enemy had more magic users.
"It's gone now, so we should concentrate on finding the Dragon's Gate and save Eliwood's father." Ike reminded the lords.
Eliwood nodded and replied: "Let's make haste to the Dragon's Gate."
Just as they went to the ruins, they noticed Marcus galloping towards his lord.
"Milord!" Marcus called out.
"What happened, Marcus?" Eliwood asked.
"Milord, as we located the route to the Dragon's Gate within the ruin according to our new bishop, Lady Ninian has gone missing!" Marcus reported. To which Eliwood's eyes widened. "She went in a different passageway inside! It was to another woods in the opposite direction to the Dragon's Gate!"
Everyone became alert to this report. This wasn't good, they needed to find her before the Black Fang could capture her. Just as the others were worried, they saw Dart coming back.
"Found her, we have to go inside the woods that leads into another ruin!" Dart reported. "She was running, all possessed it seems!"
Everyone looked to each other and nodded.
"Let's go after Ninian! Gather all the troops!" Eliwood announced.
And thus, the Lycian Army and Greil Mercenaries took a detour to find Ninian. Whatever they find with Ninian, will set course for the path of a new possibility.