Chapter 2: Together We Ride
A/N: I know I am 1 and a half days ahead of schedule but I finished this chapter a little early and was too excited to upload it. Thank you to Marcinox, Evilking500, and desmond.dalisay for favoriting and following this story. Thank you to NearbyChunk310 and augustocastro155 for favoriting this story. Finally, thank you to Wolf Fang 497, Royalrain20xx, and Banru for following this story. That all really means a lot and thank you guys for all the support you are all giving me as of now. Now without further to do, let us move on to the chapter where Jay tries to find his place in Jeralt's mercenary company.
A forest—Thurs; Pegasus Moon 12—Night
Just as I said what I said, Jeralt gives me a quizzical look and he raises his eyebrows as well. "Did the bandits hit you a little too hard on the head?" He asks.
Crap, I knew I should have lied about being from let's say Dagda or Almyra. Of course Jeralt won't believe me now at this rate. I thought as I decided to think of my next words carefully.
I nervously laugh earning a strange look from Jeralt and when I look behind me Byleth is blankly staring at me. I know she is not one of the bad guys but my gosh, Byleth's expressionless look is just too damn intimidating.
Before I can say anything, Jeralt looks me up and down once more. "You don't exactly look like someone from Fodlan. That strange shirt with the hood you are wearing, that red bag of yours, and what are those white things in your ears even supposed to be? if I were to guess perhaps you are from Dagda" Jeralt says. Oh I'm still wearing my AirPods!? I guess I was too focused on everything around me that I forgot I was even wearing these things. "Well um…" I begin, mustering my next words carefully. "These are actually called AirPods and where I come from they're used for listening to music" I explain. "Why in the goddess's name would someone ever need those silly things to listen to music?" Jeralt asks. "Well… some people just like listening to music in solitude" I reply as Jeralt seems to buy it.
I now take a deep breath and begin to continue my whole I'm from another world story. "Back onto track" I begin thinking about my next words carefully. "I know what I am about to say sounds crazy but please hear me out. Also my clothes, bag, and AirPods should be more than enough proof that I am not from around here" I begin. "I am from a world called Earth and from a country called the United States of America" I add. "Back home, people haven't used the weapons you guys are using for hundreds of years or wear clothes like you guys are wearing or even using horses as transportation" I say once more. I now hope that should suffice as I just hope Jeralt does not think I am insane and throw me onto the side of the path and leave me behind thinking I am a lunatic.
I look over and I see that Jeralt is only silent as he is probably processing what I just told him. Makes sense if he thinks I am insane. Like it is not everyday you meet some random kid who claims he is from another world.
Then the silence was broken by Jeralt as suspected. "So let me gets this straight" he begins as oh, he doesn't believe me. Does he? "You claim to be from another world, what was it called again?" "Earth." "Yes Earth, a ridiculous name for a world you are making up as who would lie by saying they come from a world named after the ground?" Jeralt says as I nervously gulp fearing what he has to say next. "Then you tell me you just woke up in some bandit's hideout right here in Rowe territory in the Kingdom. Look kid if you are from even let's say Morfis. Just say so and I will believe you considering your strange belongings. But don't think I will believe your whole other world nonsense" Jeralt says as maybe I should've just said what he requested. But I know I have to defend myself so I speak once more.
"Look, I know it sounds crazy. Heck if I were you I wouldn't believe me either. But please listen to me" I say once more. "Look I have more things to show you that proves my story" I say as well. "You've got a wild imagination Jay," Jeralt just bluntly says to me as he then turns to face Byleth whom I turn around and see despite her blank expression. She actually seems to be taking my story seriously. Quite an unlikely ally if you ask me. "Kid, don't tell me you actually believe this nonsense" Jeralt. "
"Sorry father but I do. To be fair, Jay over here is wearing quite unfamiliar clothes and has these AirPods in his ears. So I have reason to take his story seriously" Byleth says as she then looks at me. "I almost forgot to ask but may I please have my dagger back?" She asks. "Oh yes of course" I reply as I totally forgot I was still holding onto it. I realize I no longer feel pain and I look around my body to see that all my bruises from before are gone. I will say despite Rhea holding back Fodlan's potential medical achievements like certain surgical processes and autopsies. The medicine here knows how to heal someone like me pretty quickly.
Concoctions, they are one hell of a pain killer. I thought.
Jeralt sighing out of defeat from what I assume snaps me out of my thoughts and I turn to face him. "Ok fine, if my daughter believes you which is quite unusual of her. Then I suppose I will believe you as well. I mean it's not like I haven't seen or heard stranger things before" Jeralt says as I breathe a sigh of relief. Knowing that this whole charade is finally over. Also it makes sense for him to believe me considering how this is the same immortal dude who has been alive for a thousand years.
"Thank you. I… I don't know what to say" I sincerely thank him. "Don't thank me yet. Righht when we get back to camp If you are staying with us we will put you straight to work. So don't think you are going to get a free pass for freeloading" Jeralt replies as I should've known he was going to make me do work. I mean it is only fair so that I am not a liability. But I am wondering what they'll make me do. Like will they have me work as a blacksmith, or perhaps a cook. Who knows. But one thing I know for certain is that I may have a shot at becoming a part of the main plot. Which means that if I accompany Byleth and Jeralt on the Remire mission and save the house leaders then I may get an opportunity to work for the Officers Academy even though I do not know the first thing about combat.
What snaps me out of my thoughts is the sounds of the other mercenaries behind us murmuring about what I told Jeralt and Byleth. Crap they must've overheard. "Another world? A union of states? Wow this kid really is crazy" a mercenary sitting on the horse behind Byleth's horse says. "Yeah, you say it. Also I can't believe Captain Jeralt seems to be taking this kid seriously" another mercenary from behind us says. Jeralt looks behind him and gives the two a stern look causing both of them along with all the other mercenaries who are murmuring to cease their murmurs.
I now look around me at the surrounding forest. I reflect on Jeralt's words as he said we are in the Kingdom which can explain why it's a little chilly here.
Too bad I don't have my jacket with me at the moment. I thought.
Eventually, after a whie of riding in silence and through the forest. We finally reach what I can only assume to be the headquarters of Jeralt's mercenary company. It appears to be a city of many tents with some smoke here and there which I can only assume to be coming from campfires. "Halt! Who goes—wait?! Nevermind welcome back Captain!" a mercenary at the entrance who is wielding a bow yells. "Being vigilant as always. I see, Frederick" Jeralt says. "Yes Captain, nothing to report as always" Frederick says. "Good" Jeralt replies as we ride into camp.
I look around and I take in all the details. I can see all sorts of scenes, from mercenaries laughing while eating, sharpening weapons, and even sparring with one another. But a few notice me and shoot me suspicious glances and even whisper about me with their subordinates. I sigh then look away from them. I know that my clothes are making me stand out and it does not help that my skin color is likely playing a role as well considering that Fodlan is pretty xenophobic towards outsiders, or in this case, otherworlders like myself. "Hey look at that kid!" I hear a mercenary yell from right near us. "Look at his frame. Weakling probably won't last a day on the battlefield!" He says once more as he and another mercenary both laugh till Jeralt shoots the two of them a stern glare causing both of them to shut up. We eventually stop and dismount from our horses and many of the mercenaries begin to lead their horses back into the stables and Jeralt tells two nearby mercenaries to lead his and Byleth's horses into the stables which they oblige and grab the reins of the two steeds. "Come Jay. And you too Byleth" Jeralt says as we both follow him into the grand tent in the center of camp.
As we enter the tent, I look around and take in my surroundings. Inside the tent, there is a wooden table with a wooden chair behind it, followed by all sorts of papers on the table and a quill pen sitting in an ink bottle. There is also a map of Fodlan on the table and a rack of weapons containing those club-like weapons with the spikes, swords, axes, and lances. I also see a cot in the back of the room. Looks like this place is Jeralt's living quarters/office.
Jeralt gestures for me to sit in the chair across from his while he sits in the chaor opposite from me. Byleth stands by my side as per Jeralt's orders. I now feel nervous. I mean even thoygh it is painstakingly obvious that I am in no danger here or at least as it seems. I still feel a little nervous as I don't know what to say. But then I remind myself that if Jeralt really thought I was a threat then he would've likely chained me to the chair or something like that.
"So Jay, before we begin, please let—" I immediately cut Jeralt off out of pure instinct. "Please do not kill me! Or lock me up or anything like that!" I exclaim out of pure fear. I begin sobbing worrying what he is going to do to me. But Jeralt raises a hand signaling for me to stop which I do. "Relax. We are not going to kill you nor lock you up. Had we thought of you as a threat, we would've handed you over to proper Faerghan authorities" Jeralt says as I breathe a sigh of relief and painfully apologize for my outburst which he actually smiles and says: "It's ok, I get it, you are in a new and unfamiliar place. So you have every right to be scared." Wow, I never took him for the empathetic type. "As I was going to say. I feel that my daughter here and I both need to introduce ourselves" Jeralt begins. "I am Jeralt Reus Eisner, Captain of the Eisner Mercenary Company" Jeralt introduces himself. "And this here is my daughter, Byleth Eisner" Jeralt says as I turn around facing Byleth and we both make eye contact. I shyly but politely wave to her and she waves back in a more neutral way.
"So, Jay," Jeralt begins. "You said you had more things to show us that will help us furyher believe your story" he says once more. "Oh yeah." I say as I pull out my good ol' IPhone 12 and put it on the table where Byleth and Jeralt both eye it curiosuly. Well Byleth I am not exactly sure considering her blank expression but I would assume so. I also rumage through my bag and pull out my large purple notebook, and a few miscellaneous items such as a few pens and my laptop. Of course I make sure to out all these items out on the table for Jeralt and Byleth to examine them. "Let's start off with my phone," I begin as I grab my phone and open the brown leather case to pull out my driver's license. I hand the license over to Jeralt and he examines it closely. Byleth can't properly see from her angle so she walks over to Jeralt to get a better view of the license.
"That there is called a driver's license and back home it is used by people like me to prove that we are who we say we are" I say hoping that was not a bad explanation. "This… this is you. I… just… huh. You see kid, I have seen some crazy things in my life but this. Seeing a painting, if you can even call it that, small and in such detail is pretty remarkable" Jeralt says, impressed. "That, there is called a picture and it is taken using a device called a camera" I explain. "Okay and how does this camera work?" Jeralt asks. "It… well it's hard to explain. But in short terms it uses light or something like that to convert whatever is in front of it into image form" I explain as best as I could. "Hmm… and it looks like this license has your birthday on it which is 2/20/2006 and your hometown appears to be called-" "Ok we do not need to say that part out loud as I have a feeling people may be reading this" I explain as Jeralt raises an eyebrow but chooses not to say anything. He hands the driver's license over to Byleth who curiously examines it while I hand the phone over to Jeralt.
"This was called a phone, correct?" Jeralt asks, eyeing the device curiously. "Correct, hit the button on the right side and it will light up" I explain as he does exactly that than pulls his head back in shock, probably because he wasn't expecting the phone to light up as it did. Byleth appears to be done examining my license as she hands it back to me and takes a careful look at my phone. "Is this a picture of you?" Jeralt asks, showing me my crappy lock screen with my ninth grade photo.
Set a mental note as to when I get back on Earth if I ever do, to change my lockscreen. I thought.
He swipes up as I assume he got the hang of how to open it but he turns the phone around and I can see the password screen. I put in the password and then the phone unlocks and goes to the apps. Jeralt turns the phone back around facing him and Byleth once more. He swipes left and right and marvels in all the apps I own. "Saint Cichol, look at all these, what do you call them?" Jeralt asks. "Apps" I reply. "Yes apps, where do I even start?" Jeralt asks once more. "Here let me guide you through it," I say as he gives me back my phone and I head over to the calculator app to demonstrate the device's mathematical capabilities.
I then hold the phone in a way facing everyone in the tent including myself. "This here is called the calculator app and it is used to solve math equations" I explain. I put in a random math equation, hit the equal button and boom, the answer is right there. Jeralt looks stunned by what he just witnessed. "That… that was something else" Jeralt just simply says dumbstruck. "If only math were this easy as I'm sure something like this would make my job a whole lot easier" Jeralt says once more.
"That's not all" I say as I scroll down form the upper right hand corner of the screen, pulling up a menu of extra things to do and I tap on the flashlight icon, turning it on. I illuminate a dark corner of the room."Seiros's tits," Jeralt begins, saying the name of his former employer with a little bit of uncertainty. "Did, did your phone just light up that corner over there" Jeralt says gesturing toward the corner of the tent which my phone is lighting up. "Yes, the phone has a built-in flashlight and a flashlight is a device from my world that we use to light up dark spaces" I try my best to explain. "I forgot to ask but do any of these strange devices of yours, you so far mentioned and showed us use magic?" Jeralt asks. "Magic? Does it exist here?" I ask, putting on a dumb face because I don't want to betray the fact that I know of how there is magic in this world.
"Yes it does— wait… oh come on kid, don't tell me your world doesn't have magic. I mean surely magic has to have been used to power the things you've spoken up" Jeralt says. "Let me guess, your world has no pegasi and wyverns as well?" Jeralt asks. "I guess not" I reply. "You see, magic is a thing of fiction along with pegasi and wyverns who are both mythical creatures where I am from and back home, we had to solve our own problems and in the end, we invented all kinds of cool things like phones and flashlights," I explain. "Huh, well I assume that does explain why these items of yours seem a little bit unholy" Jeralt says.
I put my phone away after explaining to Jeralt and Byleth how phones are typically used for communication. I now open up my notebook and flip open to the first section, Intro to Psychology. "Back home I was a student, at a university" I explain as Jeralt looks curious. "What is this university you speak of?" He asks. "A university is a type of school on Earth where you could study all kinds of things" I explain to the best of my ability. "One of the subjects I studied was Intro to Psychology which is basically about studying the human mind and human behavior" I explain as I handed the book over to Jeralt to begin observing it.
Eisner Mercenary Company HQ—Thurs; Pegasus Moon 12—Night
Jeralt was now flipping through the pages of the psychology section, curiously reading over all the unfamiliar terms like psychoanalytic perspective, all these strange things in the body he never knew existed like glial cells and dendrites, but also study on what were described as mental illnesses. Never in his one thousand years of being alive would he have believed such things to be true, but after seeing all the proof firsthand. He pretty much had to believe it.
Jeralt looked over the page with the mental illnesses and their descriptions listed: Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, Depression (which he felt some of it after his wife, Sitri's mysterious death), Social Anxiety Disorder, and more. Jeralt had heard stories about how hundreds of years ago, people likely with these disorders suffered and how they were mostly hanged because people assumed they were possessed by evil spirits. Jeralt knew he had to flip over to the next section of the notebook which he did and it was Intro to Criminal Justice.
Now Jerakt became interested as he wanted to see what Jay's world's criminal justice system was like. As he skimmed through the pages carefully reading over each term, he began to see how different his world's criminal justice system was compared to Fodlan's. In Fodlan, it was common knowledge that if you commit a crime, you would be thrown into a dimly lit cell, chained to the wall and sitting on a dirt floor with your only meal being stale bread. Or maybe that was just a rumor. Who knows?
But anyway, Jeralt found many concepts like bail fascinating and wished that in Fodlan commoners would have a fair trial instead of just instantly being given a harsh punishment or worse, execution. Jeralt, after reading enough, he closed the book and handed it back to Jay who put it back into his bag. Jeralt was impressed that the kid knew so much. Maybe, once by some odd miracle, Rhea who was believed to be holding back Fodlan was gone, then Fodlan would finally get proper reform in both psychology and criminal justice. Until then, Jeralt would try and see what he can do to assimilate Jay into Fodlanese life and customs.
Eisner Mercenary Company HQ—Thurs; Pegasus Moon 12—Night
After a while of showing Jeralt and Byleth more of my things from my laptop to my pens which Byleth describes as metal quill pens. I put everything away back into my bag. "Well this is basically everything" I say.
"This was just like show-and-tell back in grade school" I thought.
"Alright now we've got that out of the way. Now we need to discuss your role here since as of now you are officially one of us. So may I ask you about your combat experience" Jeralt says. "Well, as you could probably tell by my stature, I am not the best when it comes to fist-to-fist combat. Also, I have never wielded a weapon in my entire life" I explain as Jeralt rubs his chin thoughtfully before speaking.
"Well we'll need to fix that. Judging by your stature, you definitely won't be suited for any physical combat roles like being a lancer, a myrmidon, or even a fighter. You also seem pretty neurotic as what that book of yours said about neurosis was it called?" Jeralt asks as I nod my head in response. "Right neurosis. That means that we can't put you in a mounted combat class like cavalier or paladin since the horse would just buck you right off. So that is why I think that being an archer would suit you best. I mean you won't have to be on the frontlines but you'll still need to pull your weight which is why I think archer is the best class for you" Jeralt says as now I can picture myself being an archer. Man this guy is good when it comes to combat roles.
"I know someone who can train you. He has been with us for a while and is the number one archer we have in our company. He was also once head of the archer division of the Faerghan Royal Guard" Jeralt says as I feel it is quite an honor being trained by the best of the best and also gives me a better shot at becoming part of the main story rather than just being equivalent to a generic nameless NPC. "It is definitely not going to be easy but I think you'll be able to handle it" Jeralt says. "How does that sound to you? Otherwise we can make you a co-" "I will take you up on that offer" I interrupt before realizing I just interrupted my new 'boss'. "Oh um… sorry for interrupting you" I sheepishly apologize as Jeralt just laughs before waving it off. "It's quite alright, I get you are excited and all" he says before extending a gauntleted hand for me to shake which I do. "Welcome aboard Jay Valentini" he says. "Thank you Captain" I reply as we both let go of each other's hands.
"Now it is getting awfully late. I recommend you get some rest for your long day of training tomorrow. We have a spare tent on the outskirts of the camp that you can stay in" Jeralt says before turning towards Byleth. "Kid, you may be dismissed. You too should get some rest because tomorrow we will be escorting the Adrestian ambassador to Rowe Castle in this county's capital city of Eldermore to meet with the Lord Regent of Faerghus" Jeralt says. "Of course father" Byleth says as she glances in my direction one more time before walking out of the tent. "Follow me Jay, I will show you to your tent" Jeralt says as I grab my belongings before following him out of the tent and through the city of tents.
After a while of walking, we finally arrive at the outskirts of the camp and we are now facing a lone tent. "This will be your new living quarters while you are with us" Jeralt says as he enters the tent with me following after him. The interior is quite simple. A lantern along with a single blanket and a pillow. I am a little bit disappointed that I did not get anything to sleep on but I assume the grass will have to do. I just hope no bugs bother me in my sleep.
"I will send someone to wake you up when morning comes so please get as much rest as you can as tomorrow, your work begins" Jeralt says as I wish him a good night and he says good night back before walking out of the tent, leaving me alone to process my thoughts. "I sit on the grass thinking about everything that has happened to me so far.
Let's see, I woke up in a medieval dungeon in a world I only thought was fictional, a fictional character saved me, and now I am working for some medieval mercenary company as an archer. I thought.
My thoughts then wander over to the game events as judging by how Byleth is not with the Officers Academy yet and is still living the mercenary life, that means that the game hasn't started yet. But I have a feeling that things won't last the way they currently do for very long. Sooner or later events of the game will begin taking place and then I am really fucked. That is not even including the five-year war that is to happen soon. If 1180 is not too far away that is. I now begin to worry about which route Byleth will choose.
In Verdant Wind and Silver Snow, Those Who Slither in the Dark is taken care of but Dimitri and Edelgard die. In Azure Moon, Thales is killed but the Church is still around and Edelgard dies. Finally, in Crimson Flower, Fodlan is reformed, Those Who Slither in the Dark is implied to have been taken care of post-final chapter, and the Church is abolished, but Dimitri and probably Claude die.
I now become frustrated, sooner or later when the war comes I'll have to pick a side and I just wish there was a golden route where everyone got to live similar to the Revelation route in Fire Emblem Fates.
But then I realize that I am here now and that with my in-game knowledge I can perhaps change the fate of this continent. I can try and unite the Church, the Kingdom, the Empire, and the Alliance against the Agarthans. That will be a long and difficult task but it is worth happening. I can also prevent so many bad things yet to come like Flayn's kidnapping, the Remire tragedy, and most especially… Jeralt's death. But for now I better get some rest as I know I have a long day of training tomorrow and that this is my new life now so until I find a way back to Earth, I will just have to live like this and survive in this fucked up world. So I enter my cot and one more thought enters my mind.
Well, at least I do not need a college degree or a resume to pull off this. I thought before I drifted off to sleep.
A/N: Hey everyone, well I hope you all enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. This chapter was a lot of fun to write, especially when it came to how Byleth and Jeralt reacted to seeing modern items for the first time. I was also originally going to make Jeralt's camp an abandoned military fortress because that just seemed a little bit too outlandish so I made it a city of tents similar to the camps in Three Hopes. Also in good ol' Fire Emblem fashion, here is Jay's starting class and stats as of now:
Class: Commoner
Level: 1
Max HP: 19
Luck: 9
Strength: 4
Defense: 3
Magic: 5
Resistance: 7
Charm: 6
Speed: 5
Also I will have Jay pursue an in-game class by the end of the story but whatever it is, you will have to wait to find out. Now it is time for my favorite part of the author's notes which are reading the reviews:
2 reviews
Vinay-kox 01
Thank you! I am always delighted to hear it when people are enjoying my story. I can't exactly pay you for doing art on my stories or anything. But if you are willing to do it for free I will be happy. Just DM me the first paragraph of any of my stories not including author's notes to prove you are not a bot.
Royalrain20xx
Yeah, I too think the premise of this story is interesting. While I can't confirm or deny your questions at the moment, what I will say is that things will certainly heat up as the story progresses. As for the last question, you will just have to wait to find out. Glad you are enjoying this story! :D
Now it's time for one random worldbuilding fact and this chapter's fact is:
The Earth year it was when Jay was sent to Fodlan was 2024 because that is the closest year which Tues; November 12 aligns with. Also it is of course the year in which this story was published so I feel that choosing this year would make the story even more relatable.
Oh yeah and one thing I feel I should've brought up in the first chapter was how Jay has played all four Three Houses routes including Cindered Shadows along with playing all three Three Hopes routes. So he knows a lot.
Also I know I should've brought this up in the first chapter but if any of you wish to make fanart or spin offs of this story. I am cool with it. Just DM me first and then I will let you go ahead with it. That's all I have for y'all today. If you have constructive criticism or a review, please feel free to leave it as I'll be more than happy to address the former and respond to the latter. Finally, go follow my X account at SuperDuperWaffles for updates on any of my stories including this one. Also over there I will be holding a contest that will last until 12/11 where whoever DM's me the best cover art for this story will not onoy get a shoutout but will also have their cover art featured on the cover of this story. As always, peace out gamers! :D