Chapter 21: Dragon's Gate
"…We're here. The Dragon's Gate…" Eliwood voiced out.
"We're going to get your father back, Eliwood." Ike spoke. Eliwood nodded and smiled back at him.
After bringing back Ninian, they finally arrived at the Dragon's Gate. The ruins had many locked doors that possibly led to other rooms. Should there be an ambush, they had tread carefully.
Meanwhile, Ninian seemed visually shaken. Possibly just as much panic when she came across the dark truth within those ruins and library. Furthermore, even Ike felt an ominous presence coming from North.
"What's wrong, Ninian? You're trembling." Eliwood pointed out.
"…This place… so frightening. Something…powerful…" Ninian spoke in a ominous tone.
"It's her power, isn't it?" Lyn remarked.
Hector raised an eyebrow at Lyn.
"Her power? You mean her special senses when we arrived?" Hector asked.
Lyn nodded as Hector already received context clues during their skirmish against Uhai and his men. It was definitely helpful in preventing the Lycian lords from being ambushed.
"Her memories may be scrambled, but her powers are still present. She and her brother Nils helped out in our battles from a year ago like what happened at the shores." Ike added as Hector nodded in understanding.
Even with a fog that impeded the vision of every single person in the army, one could rely on the siblings for a heads up. Their sixth sense for danger were crucial against being ambushed.
"What is it you sense, Ninian?" Eliwood prodded to Ninian. She soon found herself shaking her head.
"I…should not have…come here. Something awful will happen if I'm here. Ah!" She screamed out. She held her head as if in pain.
Eliwood came closer to her as she "Ninian!? Snap out of it!"
Everyone looked visibly shaken at her current appearance. She was panicking as she looked at her surroundings. Moreso than what happened in the library.
"This place… No… I…I…" She spoke as she held her head, blinking uncontrollably.
"She's getting worse!" Eliwood turned to the others and announced: "Let's get her away from here!"
"You'll not be going anywhere."
Upon those words spoken, within the halls of the ruins stood Ephidel. With tied back black wavy hair leave just a strand of it at the front. His golden eyes peering at Ninian and the lords.
"That little bird has escaped this island cage twice. Now that she's back, she'll not be allowed to fly away again." Ephidel spoke out in a sinister tone.
The entire army readied their weapons and tomes. The caravan merchants were scrambling in the carriage while a certain silver-haired individual with two scars over his left side of his face narrowed his eyes within the curtains. Along with their newest bishop, who was all too familiar with certain tactics.
Eliwood stood in front of Ninian to shield her from Ephidel. "Who are you!?"
"We meet at last. I am Ephidel." Bowing down as he introduced himself, he continued: "Pleased to make your acquaintance."
Ike and Hector readied their blade and axe respectively as they approached Ephidel. Hector knew of Ephidel from what Leila had mentioned, this man had golden eyes. He was the one under Nergal tempting lords across Lycia into rebelling. Not only that, he killed Legault's companion, Uhai.
"You're Ephidel? I've been looking forward to this." Hector spoke while brandishing his Wolf Beil.
Ephidel nodded and smiled. "…Gallantly spoken. Of course, I know who you are. Marquess Ostia's younger brother, Lord Hector. And here we have Caelin's beloved princess, Lady Lyndis."
Turning his head to Eliwood, then to Ike, he continued: "Along with the son of our beloved guest, Lord Eliwood. And Ike of the Greil Mercenaries." Smiling without the expression ever reaching his eyes.
Eliwood and Ike gritted their teeth at Ephidel. So Elbert, Eliwood's father was here. And likely a prisoner, rather than a guest of any sort.
"By the way, the gift I left for you in the forest… Was it to your liking? The corpse of that filthy red-haired traitor?"
So he was the one who also played a part in Leila's death. However, Legault suggested Jaffar, of the Four Fangs to be the one to carry out the deed.
Hector's eyes widened and he growled at Ephidel. Matthew in particular already brandished his dagger with a livid expression. Oswin held a calm yet focused gaze on the nefarious man.
"Monster! Stay right there! I'm going to crush the life from you with my bare hands." As Hector shouted out, he approached Ephidel with his axe in hand.
"Now I see! She was an Ostian spy, wasn't she?" Ephidel beamed at the revelation. "Don't worry, she did not suffer. It only took one blow."
Along with both sides of her neck cut. But that didn't make Matthew and Hector rest easy, as his words infuriated the pair.
"Die!"
Hector and Matthew dashed towards their foe, only for him to disappear the next moment. Their weapons hit nothing but the air. Everyone immediately looked to their surroundings to search for him.
"He vanished!" Eliwood exclaimed. However, in the next moment, Ephidel warped near Ninian, whose eyes widened.
"Wha–!?" Ninian voiced out.
"This girl is needed for my master's ceremony." His hands reached towards the dancer. Her countenance revealing terror as evident in her expression.
"Ninian!" Eliwood called out while attempting to reach out to Ninian before it was too late.
"Lord Eliwood!" She called out while shutting her eyes. However, the moment never came. "...Huh?"
When she opened her eyes, she found the man's arm which attempted to grab her had a dagger piercing his forearm. Ephidel, grimacing in pain, looked in the direction of where the knife was shot. Out from the carriage was a hand that was sticking out next to Merlinus, who was alarmed by the sudden action. Legault's smile grew when his throw made its mark.
"Hurricane!" Just as he readied his Fimbulvetr tome to counterattack, a figure in white dashed to the singular foe, with an open hand, quickly struck Ephidel with the space between his index finger and thumb. Not even using his fortify staff or Divine tome.
"Gah!" Ephidel coughed out blood upon receiving a strike to the throat. In the next moment, his robe was grabbed from his chest and his leg swept off, only to be plunged downward in the ground while receiving a punch to the sternum with the hand that grabbed him.
"Renault! Stand back!" Ike called out.
Ephidel's eyes widened to see the mercenary commander jump at the pinned morph with his sword pointed downward. Renault shuffled back at the right moment, with Ike plunging the sword downward as he dropped, straight into the abdomen of Ephidel.
"Aaaagggghhhhhh!" Ephidel cried out as Ike's sword penetrated through his stomach.
He could not teleport within this state, nor could he hardly chant out his invocations with his tomes. Ike quickly stepped back leaving his sword pinned to Ephidel into the earth. His ordeal was not over, as a brown haired thief and silver-haired assassin both leapt out of their respective positions. With bloodthirsty eyes, they peered at a single target.
"Hyaaaa! S-Stop... Y-you mustn't come here!" Ephidel pleaded with terrified eyes and bloody mouth. That did not deter the two from stopping their attack. "Lord Nergal! Lord Nergal! Please...! Guwaaaaaaahhh!"
With his final cry, the pair plunged their daggers at the miserable wretch, one at the throat and one through the heart. Ephidel's eyes rolled back and his head falling back with a small thud.
"Matthew!" Hector walked to his fellow Ostian along with Oswin. "You've done it!"
The man in question did not respond to his lord. Only staring at the man they killed.
"Thanks..." Matthew eyes shifted to Legault as he spoke.
"No problem, he was my target, too." Legault replied as he took back his daggers and wiped them. "But I will say, in the first time in long while, it was satisfying..."
No reply came from Matthew, aside from a silent affirmation. They killed Ephidel in retribution. With Uhai avenged and Leila receiving some justice. Now Jaffar was left for Matthew.
However, everyone who stared at Ephidel's corpse had their eyes widened, save for Renault.
"What in the...?" Ike whispered to himself.
Ephidel's body was crumbling into dust, along with the bloodstains and spill that came from Ephidel. No trace of Ephidel remained, aside from the Fimbulvetr, Bolting, and Fortify staff he had on himself.
"Did someone not want his body discovered?" Hector asked with a puzzled face like the others.
"No..."
Renault spoke out. Everyone's attention was on him.
"He was a morph, a living construct made by Nergal, depending on what you consider living..." Trailing off his words as he picked up the staff and tomes left behind and giving them to the stunned Merlinus who remained at the front of the carriage. "Using quintessence, or life force of individuals, he could create puppets that do his every bidding. They come in two forms: the one you saw who we've killed... or a dead person, but what you would see is nothing more than an empty shell. A pitiful mockery of an individual who was once known in life. To make them, Nergal likes to harvest quintessence of strong individuals. Sometimes even utilize their dead bodies to act on his every whim."
Everyone's expression turned into disgust. Even to Erk who was a scholar in his own right. To enact such a barbaric practice and defiling the dead to do one's bidding... Ninian seemed to appear more pale than usual upon hearing the bishop's words. However, Canas held a curious gaze to Renault in particular.
Legault's expression soured. So that was what Ephidel did to Uhai. He silently shuddered to know what may have happened to his friend. The next time he may see him, would probably be somewhere besides the afterlife. And not something he could bare, let alone stand to watch.
But his mind flickered to the first part of Renault's words, like Ephidel...?
"Tell me, our esteemed bishop. Can you tell us what are the common characteristics of the morphs outside of a living corpse?" Legault inquired to Renault. "And how do you know so much...?"
Everyone's gaze went to Renault. Being the center of attention once again. Raven holding an intensive glare, moreso than usual. He was told shortly before to keep watch of the bishop, and that the source his best friend's suffering may point to Renault. All the while, Lucius looked worried at his senior acolyte. Renault, stood silent, but with a calm expression, he opened his mouth.
"Putting aside my origins..." Hector's skeptical gaze grew alongside many others. "You can tell by the pale complexion, blood-red lips, their golden eyes, and jet-black hair." Legault's eyes widened at description given by Renault. "It seems you are familiar with such individuals, I suggest that you be cautious against them."
Legault recalls one person whom he despises since she came into the Black Fang. The woman who changed the Fang under the orders of Nergal. To think she was also nothing more than an imitation of a human made by the same man...
"Sonia..." Legault muttered out which brought the attention of everyone. "She was a morph all along...?"
The Black Fang's leader new wife. The one who helped changed the Fang into a bloodthirsty organization. Willing to do any work for pay, straying away from the original goal of the Fang which were to help the people and take down the corrupt. Ike and the Lycian Lords became visibly alarmed by the revelation.
"So your organization is filled with pretend-humans?" Hector remarked. While Eliwood and Lyn looked at Hector upon his brash comment.
However, that led to another question as Legault pondered. Legault's mind flickers to a young girl, hoping to gain the love of her mother. But her traits do not resemble Sonia's...
"Tell me, can morphs also produce life, or rather, reproduce?" Legault's inquiry caused the expression of Renault and many others to be confused. Renault frowned at the question, but Legault remained serious.
Shaking his head, Renault answered: "Not that I know of... no."
Legault closed his eyes. That meant Nino was practically confirmed to be "adopted" by Sonia. For what purpose, he didn't know. For some reason, he didn't doubt Nino's intentions or character. It contrasted far too much with Sonia, who was far too obvious with her malicious intent. Regardless, he had to inform his commander and sons about this. No matter how ridiculous it sounded.
"Legault, why did you ask that question?" Ike asked.
To which Legault turned to Ike and responded: "Something I need to inform to some contacts once everything is taken care of." Peering over to the Canas who was observing the entire conversation. "As well as to our shaman scholar."
Ike and Canas's brows raised. Why Canas? No matter, they needed to get past the enemy forces. They could hear footsteps coming from inside the ruins. It seemed like the enemies were mobilizing.
"Let's open some doors and steal from the enemy. Shall we, Matthew?" Legault called out to his fellow spy. To which Matthew shrugged. "I'll take that as a yes."
Ike then turned to Merlinus whose attention drifted off.
"Very well, Merlinus!" Ike called out to the merchant.
"Y-yes, commander Ike!?" Merlinus stammered.
"Follow the lead of Matthew and Legault as they plunder from the enemy." He then turned to Dart, who was gestured that he was ready. "Dart, assist them in their endeavors. Wil and Rebecca will tag along with you." To which Dart gave a grin alongside his two close companions and friends.
"Hey!" Anna's voice interjected into Ike's orders. His attention went to her. "Two of my sisters are within the vicinity, I may need to talk with them as you clear out the enemies. I can point to where they are."
Everyone turned their eyes at Anna except for most of the Greil Mercenaries. Why her sisters were in enemy territory, they would never understand. Why they were situated at inconspicuous locations like back in Bern, even moreso.
"Oh... if we decide to make a purchase, I suggest we use this." Bringing out a silver card to which Anna's mouth gaped open. "All items no matter where you are... half-price."
Ike's eyes widened at the shiny new card displayed by Legault. So did everyone in the camp.
"Grrrr... where did you get that!?" Anna exclaimed in a rare moment of frustration. Even Jake was surprised by his girlfriend's outburst.
"From the corpse of the green-haired fellow who resembled Marquess Araphen." Smiling as he spoke. "You must follow the rules, Anna."
Those with the silver card must have access to wares at half price. How the Marquess look-alike had it in his possession instead of a higher ranking senior member, no one will know.
"Nice job, I'm finally beginning to accept you!" Hector added.
'Finally...?' Ike thought. At least Eliwood and Lyn seemed to smile at their newest thief.
Anna pouted and closed her eyes. "Fine... but the percentage proceeds will also be halved and the Tellius exclusive items will be at market price whenever you use it. Deal?"
Ike stood silent before nodding. There will be an amended clause to the note.
"Very well," Ike affirmed to Anna.
Ike then turned to the rest of the troops and announced: "Axe users, chip away the walls that look like they're ready to break down. Matthew and Legault will open any locked doors. Cavalry and knights will lead the charge with magic users as support from behind along with fliers throwing javelins at the enemy. Rath will assist you along with the rest of the ground troops. I'll leave everyone to deal with enemy reinforcements at their discretion. Divide some of the forces if needed. Is that clear?"
"""Aye, Commander!"""
"Ike!" Raven called out to his commander while gesturing to Erk, Priscilla and Guy. Everyone giving a determined look to their leader. "Leave Darin to us."
Ike and Lycian lords looked at one another. They might not have enough time to engage with Darin, but if someone else did...
"You want us to focus on saving Eliwood's father?" To which Raven nodded.
"Yeah, we have unfinished business with that dastard... we'll be done with the rest of the troops when you come back." Raven announced to Ike.
Ike was confident that Raven and the others could handle Darin and his men. Although he had legitimate grievances against the man, he had a job to do. To save Elbert, Eliwood's father.
Ike nodded upon Raven's request and responded: "I'm counting on you, Raven." To which Raven nodded to his leader.
They will serve vengeance and end Darin's ambitions.
"Tch, did Ephidel fail? He was supposed to bring Ninian. It seems as though I must improve the quality of my morphs." Elbert felt relieved at Nergal's grumbling. But a moment later, a paladin calls out to Nergal. With Nils in tow and unconscious.
"Lord Nergal! We've found the boy!" The red-armored paladin, Cameron, announced. The unconscious Nils was handed to the elated Nergal.
"Ah... you've done well. I can prepare for the ritual on my own. Now go guard the gate with Darin." He announced. To which Cameron saluted and left.
"Nergal!" Elbert shouted out. Only for Nergal to smirk.
"Does it gall you, Marquess Pherae? It's destiny. There could be no other outcome. Despite all of your mischief, the boy or his sister was fated to return to me." He spoke in a mocking tone.
Elbert struggled to free his restraints and spoke: "My son… Where is Eliwood?"
"He's still alive. Of course, it's only a matter of time before the Black Fang finishes him." He replied truthfully. Believing that Eliwood would perish before reaching the gate.
Elbert sat silent for a moment before releasing his restraints. He then charged at Nergal with blind fury.
"…Nergal! Prepare to die!" Elbert shouted out.
"Eh!?" Nergal voiced out. However, Elbert's ambush did not succeed. For in the next moment, Jaffar came behind him and stabbed the back of Elbert.
"Urrgg… grrr…haa…!" Elbert rolled in pain, after his failed attempt. Nergal regathered his composure from the attempted strike.
It was clear there was no way to resist at this time. Not without the help of Elbert's son and his companions.
"…That was a surprise. When did he undo his bonds? Heh heh…" Nergal chuckled to himself. "Why do you not heed my warnings, Lord Elbert? You cannot alter destiny. Stop this foolishness."
"…Urrgh…grraa…" He groaned out. Jaffar restrained Elbert once more with new bindings.
Nergal turned to Jaffar and ordered: "Jaffar, take Marquess Pherae and the boy to the far chamber. I will begin preparations for the ritual." To which Jaffar bowed his head before Nergal.
"Thy will be done."
Tossing away some oil they had in stock, Dart quickly threw a torch at the entrance of the stairs, causing a fire to erupt and prevent reinforcements from arriving. Wil and Rebecca remained at his side, pelting enemies that came close with arrows.
All the while Matthew and Legault scrambled to loot from chests and open doors. For Dart, it felt like he was back in the Davros. As they dashed to the next area, he spotted a mage readying his thunder tome, focusing his gaze at his little sister.
"Rebecca! Duck!" To which Rebecca squatted and Dart threw his axe straight at the mage. Receiving a hand axe straight into the chest, he quickly fell without a single utterance.
"Thanks big brother!" Rebecca smiled as she spoke. To which Dart grinned. However, a shaman came from another set of stairs to cast a flux spell at Dart.
"Whoa! Look! From behind you!" Wil called out. Rebecca peered from behind her brother, to find an enemy shaman. "Dart!"
Dart became alerted and quickly shifted to the side before the flux spell came from the ground and hit him. Wil twirled his arrow up and grabbed it midair, aiming his arrow with his bow at the shaman, releasing and hitting center mass.
DEADEYE
"Gah..." The shaman groaned out before falling asleep. In the next moment, a two cloaked figures rushed out to finish the job, striking the spellcaster with daggers to the neck and chest. The shaman fell back, having been dispatched by the two spies.
"Nice backup, guys!" Wil complimented.
"Better than squid-bait here! Who puts everyone to sleep with his archery skills!" Dart quipped against Wil, who was scratched his head at Dart's insult.
The two nodded with a smile before rushing out to open other doors. The trio nodded to one another, and set fire to the stairs. They soon followed the lead of the duo. They would assist in plundering the enemy while blocking reinforcements routes.
After Cameron handed Nils over to Nergal, he expected to easily defeat the Lycian army and mercenaries. He was wrong... Cameron grew desperate, his cavalry and nomads were hardly putting a dent to the Lycian army forces. Moreover, they were receiving magic attacks and pelted by javelins. His shield was barely of use against the onslaught. He then spotted a paladin who appeared to be at the front, attacking one of his men.
He galloped and raised his halberd against Marcus, one of the leaders of the cavalry unit, unprepared, received a gash from the poleaxe. A devastating long-reach weapon, Cameron smirked upon his weapon meeting its mark.
Marcus quickly retreated back, to raise his silver lance in the air and then twirl it. His horse neighed, and quickly charged forward with their rider.
SOL
Cameron's eyes widened as Marcus and his steed galloped too fast for the eye can see and the silver lance thrusted into the chest of his red armor.
"At the very least... hehe... huh!?" Cameron's eye widened in horror of Marcus's wounds having closed. Like the reports have said, wounds healing upon attacking like a Nosferatu tome without any signs of healing magic at play.
Cameron fell over while in terror of the capabilities of their enemies. Whatever his efforts to hinder the Lycian army forces were of little use against strange magics at play.
Marcus looked at his own wounds having healed mid-battle after felling Cameron. After he obtained his own occultic scroll after purchasing, his new skill would prove to be helpful in battles to come. Such power will prove useful and to better serve his lords in the future.
"Lowen!" He called out the young cavalryman, who saluted after dispatching the last enemy cavalry.
"Yes, General Marcus!" Lowen addressed to his superior.
"We shall regroup with the rest of the cavalry unit who went westward to prevent enemy reinforcements!"
"We will fly with you!" Heath called out while Fiora and Florina were in midair with him with their flying steeds.
Kent, Oswin, Rath, Bartre, Serra, and Sain went West to prevent enemy advancements. If they possessed the same skills as Marcus, they could be rest assured. However, just to be on the safe side, it was better to have backup just in case.
"General Marcus!" Lucius came up to the paladin. "Allow me to ride with you."
Marcus took a moment to consider Lucius's proposal and nodded. They could use a spellcaster when they assist the riders.
"Lucius, my son, take these!" Renault's voice called out. He approached Lucius with his Divine tome and Fortify staff in hand.
"But..." Lucius attempted to refuse, thinking Renault needed it more. Then again, he witnessed the bishop pin a man/magical living construct into the ground with ease. But Renault shook his head.
"It's better in your hands than I." He replied. "Use them to defend and heal your allies. I will obtain another light tome shortly from Merlinus."
Lucius stared at the bishop before nodding and accepting the offered tome and staff.
"Thank you, Bishop Renault." With those words, he mounted onto Marcus's steed, riding behind Marcus.
Marcus glanced back at the enigmatic acolyte who gave his staff and tome to Lucius. To many, he proved more suspicious with his knowledge of morphs and Nergal. Furthermore, he could tell from his fighting skills that he was not suited to being a spellcaster, let alone a bishop. As Bartre once muttered (rather loudly) as they traveled, he spotted a true warrior. No matter, his leaders would inquire more about the mysterious bishop once their mission was accomplished. For now, they will trust Renault.
The trio quickly rode off, leaving the rest to deal with the Black Fang forces. Renault saw the cavalry gallop off with Lucius. He turned to the caravan, who were behind the pair of thieves heading to the West gate with the pirate and archers in tow. They would leave the front gate to flank the enemy. He heard the East wall crumble down by the efforts of most of the Greil Mercenaries and Lycian lords. He will join them shortly from the West.
Darin stood nervous. Ephidel was to return with the girl. He only hoped his "faithful" servant was preoccupied with other things. At the very least, Cameron returned with the boy. Now the ritual could commence.
All the sacrifices he made, his plans to rule over Lycia and the rest of Elibe will come to fruition...
The noises of battle came ever so closer. And walls being broken down. Wait... walls? Some of his men scrambled to deal with the intruders to the east. The cries of defeat came not from Lycian forces, but of his own men. He readied his spear, and looked to see from the East only to spot the Lycian Lords and the blasted blue-haired mercenary who led to his son's defeat. The dancer they pursued alongside her brother was also with them.
"YOU!" Darin quickly threw his spear tied to a chain. The lords and Ike prepared themselves for the attack, only for a red-haired figure to appear and parry the spear aimed at them with his shield.
"Now, Ike! Leave him to us!" Raven yelled out to his commander while holding his axe. Priscilla, Erk and Guy came together in tow.
"...Thank you, Raymond." Eliwood spoke with gratitude in his tone. Raven shook his head not even bothering to correct him. Giving his thanks, he rushed up the stairs with Hector and Lyn by his side.
"Give em hell!" Hector added as he went with Eliwood.
"May our enemies suffer Father Sky's wrath!" Lyn called out. To which Guy raised up his sword and responded: "And may Mother Earth's blessings be upon you!"
"We'll be back soon with Elbert!" Ike replied. He went up the stairs to the Dragon's Gate right behind the Lycian lords. Ninian climbed up, hoping to rescue Eliwood's father.
Darin retracted his spear, gritting his teeth in frustration as the leaders slipped past him. He growled at Guy having seen him back in Laus within the village. His gaze then went to Priscilla and chuckled upon seeing her.
"So... have you decided to offer yourself to me as I take over Elibe?" Darin asked with a grin. Only to receive an expression of revulsion from Priscilla along with others.
"Man, is he still going on about that!? You've lost already by three times!" Guy pointed his blade at Darin as he spoke. "What makes you think you're going to win? Let alone leave here alive!? And it's creepy to keep asking Priscilla to marry an old man like you!"
"How abhorrent..." Erk added with an aghast expression.
"Not in this life, not ever... as any member of the Greil Mercenaries would put it, in your dreams..." Priscilla spat out, putting aside all manners and her demure persona. "I feel utterly repulsed by your offer to the point I feel sick. I'd rather die than to be with you."
Darin gritted his teeth against all the insults hurled at him. To him, it was a generous offer to become the queen of Elibe. Even if she came from the disgraced House Cornwell, she had considerable influence as the adopted daughter of House Caerleon.
"Who do you think I am?! I am Darin, Marquess Laus! Ruler of this world!" He announced.
Raven approached Darin with his shield and axe in hand, with the most intensive glare. "You're the king of nothing. You've been stripped of your title, Darin. Now it's up to us to put you down."
"Ha!" Darin laughed out. "Says the brat of the now defunct House Cornwell! You are going to depose me? I would have restored you to your house had your sister taken my offer!"
Darin remembered Raven's face when his parents introduced him as the heir to House Cornwell before they were stripped of their title. However, Raven snorted at Darin's intentions.
"And leave my little sister in your hands? Don't make me laugh." Pointing his axe at Darin, he continued: "Your delusion ends here. I'm going to pay you back for what you did to Priscilla back in Laus..."
Darin turned livid, and aimed his spear at Raven.
"Die, whelp!"
Throwing it at Raven, the spear shot at incredible speed. Raven attempted to block it with his shield, only for the spear to pierce through his shield. The spear went straight into his shoulder, lodging its blade into Raven. Priscilla and the others looked in horror at Raven being wounded, however...
"Let go!" Darin shouted out. Raven held the spear in place, preventing the spear attached to Darin's chain from retracting.
"Priscilla, now!" Raven called out to his sister.
Priscilla quickly shifted into a determined expression. Her brother was relying on her, she couldn't fail him. With her tome in hand, she chanted her spell with an orb in the other:
FIRE
A ball of flame emerged overhead from Priscilla. And quickly came towards Darin, who smirked. He was confident in his own magical defenses, his resistance to be exact. It would bounce off of him, or so he thought...
FLARE
Bypassing Darin's resistance, it quickly seared through his shoulder, causing burns that even melted the metal.
"Aaaaaahhhhhhh!" Darin screamed out in pain. Darin let go of the chain connected to the spear, and with that opportunity, Guy quickly charged forward with a thrusting motion.
LUNA
Piercing Darin center mass straight into the abdomen and through his stomach, Darin coughed up blood. Guy pulled his blade out from Darin, shifting to the left. In the next moment, Darin heard a chant as he clenched his pierced abdomen.
Oh power of wind, sweep my opponent to the skies!
ELWIND
Darin once again opened his eyes to see a tornado shoot out from Erk who was surrounded by winds as he cast his spell. The gust hit him and lifted his armored body up into the air.
"Uuuaaaaahhhhh!" He cried out while in midair. In the next moment, he spotted an axe thrown up in air like he was, only to see Raven somersault forward up into the air to grab his axe while no longer having Darin's spear lodged into himself. He aimed his axe downward while above the general.
SOL
Raven dropped down with his axe in hand, combining both centrifugal force as well as the momentum from the drop. Plunging his axe straight through the breastplate, and into Darin's sternum. The attack caused the ground to crack upon Darin's drop, resembling cobwebs.
Raven pulled himself up from having pinned Darin down with his axe. His wound to his shoulder was fully healed after utilizing Sol. Pulling out his weapon from Darin's chest, the former marquess grimaced in pain.
"Haaa..." Darin breathed out. With his hand shaking, he felt around his chest and saw blood on his hand. "Blood? Is this…my blood? Ephidel! Come to me! Your master… calls you! I am the ruler… of…the…world…"
With those final words, he rolled his eyes back and his hand went limp. Never to wake again.
"Good riddance..." Raven spoke out while exhausted. Guy and Erk nodded with him. Agreeing wholeheartedly. They were exhausted after the whole entire endeavor. They had to clear past enemies and their reinforcements within the East side.
"Lord Brother!" Priscilla voiced out while attending to her older sibling. She held her staff in hand only for Raven to wave it off.
"I'm OK, Priscilla... just need a breather..." Raven refused his sister's attempt to heal him. His attack already healed himself.
In the next moment, they heard the West wall break down. Out from the broken wall was Dart with the caravan, thieves, archers, and Renault in tow.
"We've smoked out the reinforcements. No more rats scurrying about the ruins!" Dart announced.
"Good! There's still some chests in the East side!" Guy called out.
Matthew and Legault nodded to each other before dashing past the Greil Mercenaries who finished Darin off. Taking a glance at the once former marquess who laid dead at the shattered ground, he looked back at the exhausted group.
"Nice job!" Legault called out while running past the group.
"Lord Hector will be pleased!" Matthew added to which Raven shrugged.
There was no bad blood between House Ostia and Raven anymore. Plus, it was more personal for Raven to finish off Darin. For his family, he would personally tear apart ambitious dastards who dared threatened or harmed them.
Renault glanced to the corpse of Darin and looked to the Greil Mercenaries present near the throne.
"I suggest you burn away their bodies into ash. Quintessence can still remain in the body for awhile. Leave no trace for Nergal to continue to make use of the dead. Then again, you've already followed that practice with the merchant caravan and thieves doing the work." With those words, he went off to the stairs to the Dragon's Gate.
Raven narrowed his eyes in the direction where Renault went. If Ike's hunch was right, this man was probably Lucius's father's killer. Not only that, someone who might have worked under Nergal. Despite that, Renault revealed much to the group, and was of great help. Was it out of repentance? Or was it all an act? No, he wouldn't have revealed too much. From how morphs were made, the notes and tomes, and even kill Nergal's puppets.
In any event, he and Ike will obtain the answers from Renault for Lucius. One way or another. For now, they had to cremate their enemies like usual after taking their spoils before their leaders return.
"Father! Father!? It's me! Eliwood! I've come to save you!" He called out while near the stairs of the Dragon's Gate "…Father?"
"It's dark in here. Can't see a thing…" Hector added, squinting his eyes to get a better look of the dim surroundings. The only light source came from torches from a distance that glowed a blue flame.
Ike and Lyn climbed the stairs, which had no stair rails. There was a bottomless abyss where anyone could fall into at the side. The architecture ahead had two dragon statues at each side. In any event, they needed to find Eliwood's Father and fast. Ninian stood behind, waiting near the entrance to the stairs. Something worried her that if she was discovered, it would only hinder the lords.
"Eli… Eliwood…" Elbert's voice called out at the top floor. His son quickly looked at the surroundings.
"Ah! Father! Where are you?" Eliwood responded.
Ike pointed at the top of the steps. "Over there! His voice is coming from the top!"
Ike and the three lords climbed to the top floor. His father sat in restraints and bandaged haphazardly, bleeding from his back. They quickly removed his restraints.
"Ah! Father! You… You're all right…" Eliwood gasped in relief.
"Eliwood… Wait! For-Forget me!" Elbert protested and pointed to Nils in the distance, who stood in front of what appeared to be a gate that led to a dark void. "Take that boy and flee!"
"Nils!" Ike called out. However, Nils seemed to not respond. He remained staring into the gate.
"That boy… He and her sister are the key to the Dragon's Gate. Hurry! Go, before Nergal notices you!" Elbert warned.
"Nils! This way! We must flee!" Eliwood pleaded while holding his father. However, Nils remained in place.
"Is something wrong with him? Is he in a trance by Nergal?" Ike muttered. He approached the boy. "Hector, Eliwood, I'll take Nils. You guys tend to Marquess Pherae."
The two lords gestured a thumbs up to Ike. They quickly supported Elbert from both ends.
"Lord Elbert! I'm going to move you a little with your son. Be strong." Hector assured to his best friend's father.
"Hector…you came, too? …Thank you." Elbert voiced out. To which Hector shook his head and responded: "Don't worry about that. Come, let's leave this place."
Ike walked to Nils, but in the next moment, he halted upon hearing a figure jump from a distance. He looked to his surroundings while keeping his hand on his hilt.
"Ike! Eliwood! Hector! Hurry! This way!" Lyn gestured to the trio. However, in the next moment, a figure appeared to the middle of the stairs.
"Ah!" Lyn voiced in surprise. Right in front of her was a cloaked man, with a red spiky hair with an exotic attire and dark cloak.
"… You will not pass here." He spoke in a quiet tone.
Ike quickly noticed the figure in the middle of the stairs. The figure matched Legault's description of the Angel of Death, Jaffar.
"When did you?" Lyn asked to which she held her blade at the side, ready to unsheathe it. Ninian remained hiding to the side, holding her breath to prevent from being spotted. Alarmed by the mysterious figure who appeared before them.
"You must not fight that man!"
It was Elbert who shouted his warning. The Lycian pair who supported Elbert laid their attention onto him.
"What!?" She inquired to Elbert while keeping her eye on their latest enemy.
"That man…is dangerous. You cannot defeat him on your own." He warned.
"Father, there's no time. This danger must be faced." Eliwood spoke while gesturing to Hector to support him. He held his rapier at his side to assist Lyn.
Meanwhile, Ike approached Nils to bring him near Elbert and Hector. Just as he was reaching out, he quickly shuffled back the next moment.
"I don't think so..." A cloaked man with light blue hair peering out from his turban with a matching colored beard appeared next to Nils and grinned. "You mustn't spoil the show. For coming this far, all of you will have a special seat to a grand performance."
"Are you... Nergal?" Ike stood before the man. The voice matched the visions. This man was Nils and Ninian's father... Just as he was about to speak, Nergal with a single push of the hand, blew off Ike to the side with great force.
"Aaaahhh!" He voiced out while landing on his back. He was in pain after Nergal's magic pushed him away. He struggled to get up from his fallen state. Without Priscilla's necklace charm, he would have been knocked out.
"So much trouble over a young mercenary leader... I wonder how incompetent those underlings were to lose against the likes of you." Nergal mused to himself over Ike's capabilities. "Still, to manage this far, you and your subordinates are bound to hold magnificent quintessence."
"Ike!" Lyn called out. Shifting her attention back and forth between her friend and Jaffar who held his daggers at the ready. Nergal smirked at the display of caution.
"Yes, you should beware of my Angel of Death. Even among the Black Fang, this man is feared for his skill… I did raise him, after all." Hector snarled at Nergal who introduced Jaffar.
They were informed by Legault that the one who killed Leila may have been the handiwork of Jaffar aside from Ephidel issuing orders.
Turning his head to Jaffar, he spoke: "…You've done well, Jaffar. Return to Bern and begin your next assignment."
Jaffar remained silent for a moment before replying: "... Understood..."
If it had been anyone else like Ephidel, he would not have responded and only obeyed. But since it was Nergal, he obliged to answer. He quickly ran down the stairs, leaving to another passageway within the Dragon's Gate. The entrance was likely blocked by Lycian forces and Greil Mercenaries. Ninian stood hiding, remaining undetected from Jaffar who went in another direction.
Lyn quickly went to the side of Ike, who was still struggling to recover.
"Now then... let the show begin." Nergal turned to Nils as he spoke. "Nils..."
"Stop it! You cannot release the dragons!" Elbert warned.
Dragons? Ike frowned at Elbert's warning. His eyes widened at what Nergal was planning.
"Father? What's all this about?" Eliwood asked. To which Nergal's expression grew more sinister. He quickly snapped his finger and Elbert grasped his own chest, startling Hector who held him.
"Guwaah! …Gaa…ghaa…" He groaned out.
"Father! What's wrong? Father!" Eliwood turned to Elbert, worried for the sudden attack.
"Lord Elbert! Hold on!" Hector spoke out, but Elbert was still in pain.
In the next moment, Nils inched closer to the Gate.
"Pow…pow…er… …power…" He mutters.
"Gahaaa!" Elbert cried out. To which Eliwood immediately went to his father.
"Father!"
Nergal rejoiced and spoke to Nils: "Now, Nils…at last. Open the Dragon's Gate." Ike's eyes widened over Nergal's order to his own son.
"No! Have you gone completely insane!?" Ike shouted out as finally got on his feet with Lyn supporting him. "Are you trying to start the second Scouring!?"
The Lycian lords all became alerted at Ike's outburst. Nergal was trying to bring back the dragons into Elibe?
"…Gate… Open…gate…" Nils whispered. His eyes devoid of light.
"Yes…that's it… This way, dragon…" Nergal spoke with a greedy expression.
In the next moment, the ground shook. Causing everyone to lose balance aside from the pair who opened a portal from the gate.
"Whoa! What's… What's this rumbling!?" Hector shouted while clumsily holding Elbert.
"Unh! I can barely keep my feet!" Lyn voiced out while barely able to support Ike. Ike quickly regained some balance to try and inch towards Nergal and Nils.
"No... What are you doing, you fool!? There's nothing left for you to obtain anything!" Only for Nergal to ignore Ike's call.
Nothing left? To Nergal, he needed to obtain more power. That was all that mattered.
"Nergal… What… What's happening!?"
"Here… Come, children of…flame. Come…to me…" Nils beckoned to the horned figure which slowly became clearer.
Soon, flames erupted out from the gate, and what appeared was a red scaled giant. Its breath, filled with fire and flames surrounding itself.
"...It can't be." Hector voiced out, while more terrified than ever in his life. Meanwhile, Lyn shook her head at the display.
"Ah… No… It isn't…" Denying what was real in front of her.
"Is that…truly….. a dragon?" Eliwood voiced out in terror.
The fire dragon inched ever so closer out from the gate. Ninian could no longer stand to watch and hurried up the steps. Unlike the others who remained terrified, Ike stared at the display with no fear. Or rather... Ike remained silent, with his mind flickering as he stood dazed. For some reason, he remained in a trance as he slowly gripped his blade tightly.
Dragons. Goldoa... Laguz. Caineghis, the proud King of Gallia who most resembled a lion, his towering figure and long red hair and beard that was more of a mane... His mother and father telling him about laguz in Gallia, the various bird tribes and their nations, and finally, Goldoa, holding the most powerful laguz tribe, which were the dragons.
His memories became clearer as he continued to gaze at the approaching dragon. Then... he heard a little girl's voice in his head.
I've watched you over this journey. I will lend you some of my power... stop the delusions of this fool who lost his way. This poor fool who can't even remember his own kin.
"Ha ha ha ha ha! Yes! Use all your strength! Squeeze every drop from your body! You will call dragons!" Nergal laughed out with glee.
Ike slowly approached the pair, just as Lyn who noticed this action wanted to stop him.
Lyn held out her hand and shouted: "Ike! Stop! It's too-... huh?"
Her attempt to halt him was interrupted by Ike emitting a blue glow. The emission itself resembling a blue flame. Everyone's attention went to Ike, as he kept approaching Nergal in his new state. Unsheathing his iron sword, he slowly inched towards Nergal, with his blade now receiving most of the flames.
"What is he...?" Hector uttered. Eliwood remained silent but with eyes in awe of what was happening to their friend.
Despite Elbert's state, he was shocked by what he was seeing from the mercenary lad he met a year ago. But just as Ike raised his blade, he heard a voice from behind.
"Enough of this! Nils!" A Ninian called out as she finally reached the top.
"Ninian!" Eliwood exclaimed.
"Nils! Please! Come to your senses!" Ninian pleaded.
Nils's eyes regained some clarity and he muttered: "…Ni… …Ninian…?" Nergal took notice as he saw the portal being closed.
"Nils? Not now! Grrr..." Nergal growled out as he tried to concentrate on maintaining the gate.
"Nils!" Ninian once again called out to her younger brother. Nils's eyes finally became unclouded and looked to his sister.
"Ni-Ninian!" Upon his call to his sister, he ran to his sibling.
The gate began to shut itself off, with the portal fading. But it was likely for the dragon to remain in Elibe. However, Ike took notice and maneuvered his glowing blade, holding it like a javelin from the handle, and the blue flames gathered into the sword.
"No! I've failed! Tch. No matter, I'll still use this dragon to-" Upon those words, he saw a blue flaming sword be shot out at a blinding speed, straight into the flame dragon's chest, penetrating it beyond its scales. To where even the force of the throw pushed the dragon back into the gate as it was about close. It let out a final painful cry as the dragon disappeared along with the portal.
"I'm sorry... I don't know if you were a Goldoan, but I couldn't allow my friends to get harmed..." Ike muttered before falling unconscious. No longer emitting a blue flame.
"Ike!" Lyn quickly went to Ike's side, while Nergal remained staring at Ike, perplexed by what he saw. Then his frown turned into a grin.
"I see... so you are the Hero of Blue Flames. The one I've been seeking for alongside them." Just as he attempted to reach out for Ike, his eyes widened the next moment, as a dagger shot out at Nergal. "Eh!"
Receiving a dagger to the stomach, he quickly looked to see his assailant. Only to snarl at a familiar face.
"You! Renault! Y-you wretch!" Nergal coughed up blood upon receiving the dagger. Renault quickly went for another dagger, a stiletto he had on himself, in order to go for the kill.
"I will end you with my own hands... in the name of my lost friend!" Renault dashed towards Nergal, only for the man to vanish into thin air the next moment, stopping Renault's assault. He growled in frustration at the man who retreated.
"Tch. One day... your time will come..." As he spoke those words, he turned to see the Lycian lords.
Looking at the current state of everyone present, he quickly attended to Elbert, who was far from an ideal condition out of everyone. After taking a moment of checking his state, he closed his eyes.
"Well, will he be fine?" To which Renault shook his head at Eliwood's inquiry. Eliwood's eyes widened in horror. "No..."
"Are you kidding me, what about using some staves?" Hector pointed out. To which Renault shook his head.
"He lost too much quintessence, I could tell. There's no way to treat that. I suggest you tend to his final moments while you still can..." Renault voiced out.
"It can't be... no!" Eliwood cried out.
Elbert smiled at his son and shook his head. "It's alright my son… I'm done here. You, Eliwood… You must finish this. Alongside that blue-haired lad, Ike. Nergal will return, be prepared..."
"Don't say that! Mother is waiting in Pherae…" Eliwood began to tear up, pleading for his father to live. "She's waiting for you, Father!"
"Ah… Eleanora… She will be cross with me." Elbert turned to his son. "Eliwood… Your mother… I'm sorry… Tell her… I'm…sorry…"
Reaching to touch his son's face, one final time, his hand was grasped by Eliwood. His arm became limp, only to be held in place by his son.
"Father?"
Holding his father's body, his tears began dropping endlessly.
"No… Please, not now… Not after all we've done to find you again… Father… Please… Open your eyes… Faaaatherrrrrrr!" He cried out.
Hearing his best friend's cries, Hector fell on his knees and punched the ground. All the while Lyn held her mouth, sobbing. Sitting by Ike's side as he was unconscious.
Footsteps could be heard, as everyone reached the Dragon's Gate. Their mission to save Elbert, Marquess Pherae, had failed. With it, came despair for the Pheraen forces over their beloved lord.
AN: Sorry for the wait, thought about dividing chapter but decided to put it all in one go. Real life, work kinda took up my schedule. Might get worse as I have to balance college and work by next week. Will do my best regardless to update whenever possible. At least once a week.
Also, To Guest: Harken and Isadora are not officially introduced outside of a slight mention of their appearance in interlude parley pt 2. Dorcas was mentioned in the Laus chapter where they stopped by Pherae. He became a family man with Natalie and did not join Ike and the Lycian Lords after receiving enough money from Ike and working off to pay for Natalie's treatment. That's when Ike received a Hero's Crest from them and gave it to Raven. Also, Raven decides to go with axes more often due to them being more cheaper, and that lance users are encountered more often.
