Chapter 2 Part 1: Fall of Crimea
A violet-haired girl stood in her quarters with her eyes closed. Every morning, she read the future to expect a wonderful day for obtaining knowledge. However... her face paled at what was to come.
Waves of cavalry, knights, and wyvern riders marched across the streets of the capital. All clad in ebon armor...
Civilians run in terror, and either get slaughtered or herded into subjugation for a fate worse than death. Knights and mercenaries helpless against the onslaught of the army whose flag bore the insignia of a wyvern ouroboros... The national symbol of Daein...
Sophia gasped for breath with sweat coming down her face. Her complexion became pale at the future she foresaw. She hoped to see more like the physical appearance of the leader of the invaders, but she could not see any more. The visions were images that flashed inside her mind, but they told well enough of what was to come...
"I must warn the others..." She muttered with concern in her tone.
Perhaps they could mitigate some of the disasters to come...?
Within the library of the Crimean nation capital, a lone man paled at what was whispered into his ears. Count Fayre, Bastian, found his breath taken away at the news that was revealed to him.
"You fool!" Bastian scolded, dropping all sense of his eloquent diction. "Why have you come here instead of the palace or announce it to the rest of the city!? The public must be informed!"
His loud voice caught the attention of all the library patrons. Bastian had no time to reprimand the retainer before him. Right now, their princess was currently being granted an audience with her parents, the King and Queen of Crimea. None of them were safe at this time if the castle were to be invaded, even with the next heir, Duke Renning, leading the defense.
The city needed to be notified. Just as Bastian was ready to announce to the public to flee, a lone man with a monocle beat him to it at the entrance.
"Crimea is being attacked! Everyone must flee!" Canas announced to the people while panting. "Daein may be here at any hour!"
Bastian blinked repeatedly at the news revealed by his good friend, Canas. The Daein forces were last seen marching through Delbray and likely facing the forces of Fort Pinell and Castle Nados. Some of their knights should have reached the castle to inform the king. They couldn't have breached their defenses this early...
The denizens of the library knew of this studious mage scholar who frequented their library. He was even seen tutoring some people on the ancient language while occasionally assisting in mercenary work. There were even offers to scout the man into becoming a mage knight based on how well he performed with his cohorts, but he politely declined. Now he was in the middle of telling the people (and perhaps Count Fayre) of an unprovoked invasion by a neighboring country.
How did Canas know about the invasion early? Did his pegasus knight friend (Fiora) inform them? Pegasus knights were seldomly seen in Crimea (despite the king's grandmother being a pegasus knight of Begnion before marrying into House Crimea) and even less as sellswords, making the Greil Mercenaries a strange oddity by supposedly having two as members. Then again, he was just notified that a pegasus knight was spotted diverting the attention of wyvern riders of Daein. Bastian surmised that Canas was just informed by falcoknight who fled into the capital after hindering the enemy flier forces.
Just as the knights stood confused or were ready to apprehend Canas, Bastian quickly stood up. There was no time to hesitate.
"You heard the man! I've also received word from my retainers! Knights, head to the castle or block the civilian districts! Help the civilians evacuate! That is an order!" Bastian shouted out. "Citizens, flee the city while you can. Take whatever books you desire! Now!" With the word of one of the most respected nobles in Crimea, the scholar's warnings can be heeded.
The patrons of the library panicked and scrambled to exit the library or take whatever books they could carry. The knights quickly headed out of the library to mobilize and ensure their defenses. Canas stared at the Count and nodded with a grateful smile. One moment later...
A roar reverberated throughout the building and the rest of Melior. Everyone held their breath for a moment within the building with cold sweat. Canas felt the roar was familiar. He's heard a similar roar back in Elibe multiple times and even took note of the distinct sound that differs from a wyvern's low roar or growl.
"Dragon's roar..." He muttered.
Soren found himself rubbing his forehead at the news he received from the shaman in a private room. She had already informed Fiora and Legault, in which the former flew East to scout the area. The latter was sent to inform Ike and the rest of the company of the invasion.
Soren was reluctant to believe in fortunes but Sophia had demonstrated accurate foresight especially when it came to weather. He wasn't ready to take the chance of challenging her predictions. From what she described, the incident would occur around sunset, but it could be earlier. He pushed aside his skepticism and focused on leaving the capital.
They had just informed the Anna Merchants and their employees. Now, the wind mage and his fellow mercenaries were prepared to leave Melior. However...
"Where is Canas?" Soren voiced out with his belongings in hand. Raven's brows were already furrowed.
"He ran off to inform Count Fayre..." Raven responded, causing Soren to widen his eyes. "By all logic, the city would be informed to expect droves of Daein legions. Right now, everything is too idle..."
"What!?" Soren replied in exasperation. Sophia flinched at the tone of Soren's voice. "What can he do!? Inform them by citing our shaman as a source!?"
It was far too risky to inform the nobles of Crimea that an invasion was coming to them. They were less likely to believe a magic scholar of dubious origins. Moreover, it would draw unwarranted suspicion towards their company if they were to share such matters that the rest of the public were not privy to...
"I... I agree with Canas's action..." Sophia voiced out, bringing the group's attention to the source of the news. Erk nodded in agreement with the shaman.
"I concur. As mercenaries, should we not be obligated to help the public and their defenders since they've hired us this far?" Erk attempted to point out to his fellow mage.
Soren inhaled through his nose and exhaled through his mouth. While he respected most of the group's intellectual and magical prowess, he was not willing to compromise on this matter.
"While we are mercenaries, no coins have crossed our palms. We are not obligated to inform anyone of this matter. We are not Crimea's private militia or their royal knights," Soren callously explained with his eyes closed. He then reopened his eyes and turned his head to Sophia. "If what Sophia warned is true, it's all the more reason we must leave the capital and let the army handle itself on its own. We should focus on regrouping with the rest of the company."
From a professional standpoint, Soren's words held merit. But those who held sentiment preferred to not have innocent people left to their fate. From what they knew, the nation of Crimea did not deserve such a fate from a country that decided to attack unprovoked as far as they could tell.
"But... I don't want this country to fall..." Sophia voiced out in protest. "The people would die or... become enslaved..."
From what she saw, the fate of those captured would suffer as people of a fallen nation. They would be put into hard labor and suffer the worst indignity. Sophia hoped such an outcome would not come to pass...
Soren shook his head in response. "It is none of our business. Besides, Daein is superior in numbers and supplies. If war does come as you say, then it is best to be uninvolved. Or else the company may be caught up in the skirmish. We'd be best off having the stronger country enlisting in our services, regardless of moral quandary. We are mercenaries first and foremost, and are to be driven solely by self-interest."
It was a fool's errand to try and help a country that was bound to be overrun. With that in mind, it was better to cut losses and recoup with new employers.
The nation of Daein prided itself on strength and rewarding those who held it. Those who were the most powerful could obtain influential positions. The Greil Mercenaries would fare well under that rule. That pragmatism is what drives Soren to choose what is believed to be the best outcome for the company.
"Y-you would choose to support a country that is in the wrong...?" Sophia became shocked by Soren's words, exasperated by his logic. "... You would choose a country that would scorn people like us...?"
The nation of Daein was almost completely pro-Beorc. The military conducts Laguz hunts and alike, making it inhospitable for the race to live in. It would likely be the same for the Branded should anyone possessing the brand be found out.
The mercenaries present on the sideline witnessing the conversation were initially confused but quickly realized what was being inferred. Soren was somewhat aware that those from Elibe had an inkling of his status. But he paid it no mind, as they had different values when it came to those of non-human/Beorc origins.
"As if they'll know. You seem to forget that it would be the same here in Crimea if our true nature were revealed. It matters not where we are, we would be scorned regardless..." Soren retorted with a callous tone, causing Sophia to flinch. He sighed at the girl's insistence to assist the country. "In the face of the Daein army, we alone cannot change the tides of war. We must leave upon Fiora's return. If what you've reported is true, then it is all the more reason we must leave immediately."
They held no status or credence to sway the army into preparing for a counterattack. Even if the Crimean army mobilized right now, the size of their army and supplies would not last in comparison to Daein's might. Even if their current members had power comparable to Daein's four riders (which Soren did not dismiss as a possibility), the company would be caught in a battle of numbers.
It was not something they could change with their current group in Melior, even if they were given command of the royal army. They would die in the struggle and Soren was not willing to compromise his relationship with Ike by allowing their new members to perish in conflicts that do not concern them.
"Lord Brother... can we do anything?" Priscilla asked with concern on her face. The others looked to their current leader for his decision, as Soren was under Raven's command at this time.
Just as Raven was about to give his announcement, a voice interrupted his orders...
"CITIZENS OF CRIMEA! PLEASE! TAKE WHAT YOU CAN AND LEAVE! EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY! DAEIN HAS INVADED! FORT PINELL AND CASTLE NADOS ARE BEING OVERRUN!"
Everyone in the room became alert by the announcement that came from above. It was Fiora's voice. There was no time for skepticism after Fiora confirmed the group's worst fears. It was do or die.
"Priscilla! Erk! Meet with Anna and the others! Soren, Sophia! You're with me to find Canas!" Raven declared to the rest of the group.
With that, the group stormed out the door. Erk and Priscilla went to the stables to obtain her horse while the trio looked above to search for Fiora. The clamoring of crowds either dismissing the warning, looking at the falcoknight with skepticism or taking the warning with genuine concern. Even the knights were alarmed but considered taking Fiora in for questioning.
All the while Sophia's face lost all color and looked in a certain direction. Her mouth quivered as she looked even worse than when she reported her visions to the others. Soren took notice of this and frowned. What else was troubling her?
"Dragon..." She muttered, causing Soren to become confused.
"Fiora, come down now! We have to look for Canas!" Raven called out to the pegasus knight, who nodded and just as she was descending, a sound echoed throughout the capital.
Or rather... a roar that gave the citizens, knights, or every living being within the capital an instinctive chill to the bones. Every building, including the royal library, felt the tremor of the earth-shaking roar. The source of the noise came from on top of a tall building in the East. An imposing lone armored man with dark blue hair wielded a gigantic blade that looked serrated from both edges and a long handle. With an unsettling grin and his supposed black wyvern appearing equally menacing as him, with spiky spines on its back and a red underside.
With a wave of his sword, he roared: "ATTACK!" The second roar of his steed sent the populace into panic.
With the banners raised of a wyvern eating its own tail as their symbol, wyvern platoons flew with cavalry swiftly galloping towards the castle. Knights and infantrymen followed the march with each soldier clad in black. Sounds of ballista shots and magic being thrown echoed throughout the capital. The city was under attack.
The march of the army left the civilians in a frenzy, frantically rushing to their homes and families. The knight quickly blockaded the route into the civilian districts or charged after the Daein forces. All the while Sophia stood frozen staring into the direction where the Mad King flew.
"Sophia! What are you doing!? We must flee with the others!" Soren shouted out but to no avail.
"Dragon..." Sophia uttered with a horrified expression. "He's riding on a dragon..."
The trio blinked repeatedly at her words to realize what she was referring to. Raven, Fiora, and Soren were aware of Sophia's innate ability to sense dragonkin.
"Are you sure you're not confusing dragons with wyverns?" Soren asked with skepticism to which Sophia shook her head.
"No... he is a dragon whose nature became twisted... moreover, I sense his despair... he's being forced..." Sophia voiced out. She soon turned back to the direction of the invasion. Her eyes flickered in realization and turned to the rest of the group. "Another dragon in the East. They await... I sense their despair..."
Unlike the dragon's chaotic nature, the one present from a distance was calm, but just as sorrowful as the one being forced to become a mount. At any rate, Sophia's empathy couldn't bear such emotions from those suffering such indignity.
However, the trio who heard this fact were puzzled. If they are dragons of Goldoa, what are they doing affiliated with Daein? Why are two dragons in the army? Were they really being forced as Sophia stated?
Raven shook his head. "The Daein forces are currently concentrating their attack on the castle. Now's not the time to... Look out!" His warning was heeded as they braced for themselves and Raven held out his shield to the East.
The row of knights blockading the route to the civilian district was blown away by flames and winds. The four were safe from the impact of the assault.
The cloud of dust cleared itself to reveal a group all armored. The cavalry leader at the front possessed dark green hair with her red spear glowing red and emitting smoke. On her right breast had a tattoo or mark peeking out of her black attire. Soren frowned at her presence, with Sophia only appearing afraid. The leader raised her brow at the sight of the dragon-blooded pair and snorted upon closer examination of Soren's mark on his forehead. Had the violet-haired woman not been beside the raven-haired mage, she would have mistaken the latter for a spirit charmer. Their auras were similar to her in a certain aspect...
One of her subordinates was a mage without brows with lilac short hair styled in a comb-over. Alongside him was a man in a swordsman garb with green hair styled in a mullet. The latter's blade was glowing green, indicating that it was a magical weapon like the one possessed by their leader. Behind them was a short red-haired man with a purple wyvern and a row of his dracoknight subordinates behind him, one of which distinctly possessed a black eyepatch and wavy brown hair that was slicked back along with a girl in pink armor with long red hair tied in a ponytail.
At any rate, they all appeared to be generals and elites. This was not good for the group as Fiora shuddered at the group before her. She seemed to have recognized the assailants and vice versa.
"Heh, those knights were nothing but fleas. Dog's breath..." The leader muttered under her breath as she smirked at the group of mercenaries. "That pegasus knight of yours... she's eluded us thus far back in Fort Pinell. Quite a feat to run away only to be with a group of bookworms and a sellsword."
When Fiora scouted eastward to check the situation, she was spotted by Daein forces, particularly by a platoon led by General Shiharam who was under the command of General Petrine, one of the four riders. He reported it to his superior who decided to go after the pegasus rider to apprehend her thinking that she may have been a flier general of Crimea based on how she's evaded every lance and axe throw from wyvern riders. She's even helped some fleeing knights escape from pursuing Daein troops while on the run.
Now that Shiharam had gained a closer look, all he saw was just a young woman barely above the age of his daughter, who was currently behind him next to his second-in-command, Haar. He was currently sporting a regretful expression, not noticed by his superior. Whoever this group was, they were merely caught in the conquest of the Daein army. He knew their fates would not be a good one...
"We have no quarrel with Daein. We're just mercenaries," Raven declared to the troops before him. "With that in mind, we just want to take our men and leave the capital. That's all we want."
"Indeed," Soren added with a sense of caution. "We are not affiliated with the Crimean army. If you just let us go, you may request our services another time..."
The four were cautious against the number of elite fighters that were on the side of Daein. Only Fiora and Raven were the most combat-experienced compared to Soren and Sophia. The odds were not in their favor...
Petrine snorted and chuckled, along with some of her men in response to Raven's words. "Really, I'm pretty sure I heard a little bird chirping about our invasion... I'm afraid you might be lying." Petrine said in a mocking tone.
So they overheard Fiora's announcement from when she announced the march of Daein's forces. They might as well be associated with the Crimean army based on the actions of the pegasus knight who only wished to inform the populace of the approaching army. Soren clicked his tongue at the unintended consequence of helping the public and knights of a doomed nation.
"I'm afraid I can't let any of you go," She said as her lance sizzled and glowed red. Her expression towards Raven was one of bloodlust and hunger. "Do fight well, you might make for a good souvenir. If not, I don't mind you dying early so I can rejoin his majesty..." She then pointed her lance as if challenging Raven for a duel. "My name is General Petrine of Daein's Four Riders."
Soren's eyes twitched at the mention of the familiar name and title of their opponent. This was one of the four elites of Daein, who possessed considerable skill and prowess to become one of the king's trusted confidants. They're known to be the elite members of Daein's army, next to the king. Seeing one of their members here instead of attacking the castle was likely out of a whim for a challenge after the failure to subdue Fiora, the one who evaded the Daein army's dracoknights...
Raven quickly readied his axe in response causing Soren to give a wide-eyed look at him. The group also noticed the troops under her command took steps back as if adhering to their leader's desire to fight alone with him, despite the confident smirks on their faces. Unbeknownst to the mercenaries and soldiers, Petrine also had other plans for the long-haired shaman and wind mage out of a whim...
"Fiora..." The woman in question looked at Raven upon his calling for her. "Take Sophia, and fly out of here... It seems like they forced us to take a side... Soren, just go and find Anna and the others. They might be just helping the civilians escape..."
Fiora and Sophia's eyes widened at his orders. All the while Soren was visibly twitching at what Raven was implying. But the idea of helping the citizens escape Melior didn't seem to bother Raven. He was used to helping people as a mercenary. Moreover... Raven was willing to face a nation's elite general on his own...
Soren held no objections to Sophia escaping, as he knew how invaluable Sophia's talents were. Her predictions may greatly assist the company during this crisis. All the more reason the latter was needed by Ike's side. He was quick on his feet...
Moreover, Soren had the luxury of potentially running into the former Black Fang, those of whom were undoubtedly helping the populace flee the city. Raven knew if Soren regrouped with the others, he would be in safe hands.
"Go..." Soren voiced out as Sophia was hesitant to leave the pair behind. Raven was poised with an axe and shield in hand, with his feet positioned to lunge at the cavalier before him. "NOW!"
Sophia quickly mounted herself on top of Fiora's pegasus and the pair reluctantly flew off while Raven dashed to meet the galloping of Petrine's steed. The pair's lance and axe clashed as Soren ran westward and swerved into alleyways to avoid capture or death.
"Shiharam!" Petrine yelled out while still clashing weapons with Raven. "Take your men and go after the pegasus rider and her passenger. Make sure to keep the violet-haired one alive. The rest of you, scour for the spirit-charmer brat that scurried away! Make sure both live and bring them to me. If not, focus on rounding up some of the citizens for hard labor!"
"""Yes, Commander Petrine!"""
With that, Shiharam reluctantly took to the skies with his platoon to chase after Fiora. His platoon held a similar darkened expression at the idea of capturing or killing vulnerable young women. The others run past the dueling pair or take other routes to catch Soren or the townsfolk.
Petrine was pleasantly impressed by the individual dueling with her. He managed to resist her might and lance despite being a sellsword. At this rate, she was considering sparing him and his cohorts.
"Not bad," Petrine remarked while squinting with glee. Then, her lance tip became enveloped in flames while clashing with Raven's axe. "Keep this up and you might do well under Daein. What's your name?"
Raven snorted at her words. If he could shrug to himself, he would do so. Raven smirked and replied with a set of words that he never thought to reveal in this land...
"Sir Raymond of House Cornwell, heir to the title of marquis..." He replied, causing Petrine to frown and narrow her eyes at the unfamiliar name and house.
Raven never thought to use the former title of his long-defunct house and name to introduce himself. At the very least, it would throw the Daein forces by wasting time and resources by trying to find out his identity. He was confident that he leave without being captured by the Daein army.
Deflecting away her lance, Raven positioned himself back and once again lunged towards the rider of Daein with his axe raised.
A lone man pointed a large double-edged axe with one side larger than the other to the group of soldiers led by the lilac-haired man who had just separated from his superior. The offender had brown hair and matching attire with a trench coat that showed off his muscular build. In contrast, beside him was his thinner but tall brother, who wore darker clothing and his facial features were sharp and in his hand was a thin but exquisite broadsword. Both of them wore ear cuffs on their left ears in different positions.
Behind them was a group of civilians huddled together after having been rescued. They quickly recovered themselves and continued westward to escape.
"Pray," Linus declared to the platoon of soldiers. "We'll give you that much time. All the evil you've done against the people... Repent it, and sleep."
Kayachey snorted in response and readied his tome along with the rest of his men. Behind him were fifty of the finest troops Daein could offer.
"Who are you to challenge us!? Trying to be heroes?" Kayachey scoffed at the pair in a confident tone. "None of you appear to be knights. Are you sellswords like the red-haired one engaging with our commander? I will teach you all what it means to oppose the might of Daein..."
The pair didn't respond to the provocation. They realized Raven might be engaging with a general at this very moment. All the more reason to reunite with the others after the civilians evacuated due to the combined efforts of their employers and comrades.
Lloyd squinted his eyes while holding his charming, but unsettling smile. He never thought to re-emerge with their infamous name... Might as well throw the enemy off by using their monikers, that is if they manage to live to find out...
Readying his weapon, he declared: "Remember us as the ones who bare our fangs against injustice... You stand before the Mad Dog and White Wolf of the Black Fang. In the name of the Fang, we sentence you to death. Do not blame us for your fate. It is your own doing."
They would never be able to find full information about their identities or their titles. They both chose to live a perilous life to help the people, punish the proud, and fight for what was right. He was confident that Nino and the others would follow suit, with wonderful and strong companions to support them.
With that, Mad Dog and White Wolf charged forward with weapons brandished against the Daein troops. Their convictions were unwavering even against a fearsome army.
A light blue-haired sage with notable sideburns marched to the city's cathedral with his men behind him. The sage, Balmer, intended to round up any civilians hiding or subdue any remnant knights. His general Petrine was expecting her underlings to take civilian prisoners.
However, what appeared to be a lone bishop with short gray hair blocked their path with staff and tome in hand. At this rate, they wouldn't be able to reach the fleeing refugees...
"Step aside and submit yourself to the Daein army, acolyte," Balmer declared to the bishop.
Renault, the bishop, shook his head in response to the sage's demands. "I'm afraid I cannot allow that... The acolytes behind me are not done with their preparations to leave. So..." Renault opened his tome which glowed as he trailed off. He then closed his book and put it back into his robes, confusing the sage and the troops behind him. "Ah, it would be disrespectful to invoke another faith near a place of worship. With that in mind..."
He readied his staff and faced the platoon of thirty men led by Balmer, and said: "I will just use my staff as a weapon. Prepare yourself."
The group of Daein soldiers blinked repeatedly at the audacity of this acolyte. Did they hear that right?
"Heh... hahaha!" Balmer cackled along with his men. "You wretch. You're not worthy of our general's attention. I will roast your bones and present them to her as a trophy!"
A lone acolyte that wished to defy the Daein army with just a staff? If he was able to use a tome, it would have provided some form of challenge. To them, this arrogant bishop will learn his place.
After all, the Daein nation disliked holy men in general. The number of churches in Daein dedicated to the Goddess was low. Moreover, this man proclaimed he wasn't dedicated to the Goddess but to another faith.
All they saw was a false bishop hoping to ruse them into delaying the inevitable. The Crimean Knights they faced were nothing, so what challenge could an acolyte provide?
Renault leaned forward and bent his knees, with his staff held like a spear pointed at an angle towards the platoon.
"Brace yourselves..."
With that, he lunged forward to face the Daein forces. From what little was seen of that day by those who hid in the cathedral, what they witnessed was no holy man... It was a man who was seemingly impervious...
An armored knight with red slicked-back hair, and pointed eyebrows, along with facial hair fashioned into a mustache and goatee, marched along the streets of Melior before stopping with his platoon. Bryce, one of the most respected and powerful generals of Daein stood before a lone man wielding two exotic daggers dripping blood and an equally exotic outfit that showed off his midriff. In front of the assassin at his feet was Halberdier General Kotaff along with many of his men with their throats slit or their hearts stabbed. His personal platoon found themselves visibly shaken at the visceral sight.
He was tasked to lead the ground forces as an armored general while his majesty would lead the charge on the heart of the capital with Black Knight, the one who rivaled their king in skill and strength. But seeing the considerable resistance against their forces concentrated in the civilian districts... he was forced to act out of suspicion that the bureaucrats or royal family may be evacuating with the citizens.
Several platoons under Petrine along with her have not reported back to the main forces since they've spotted a potential enemy flier. He assumed there were Crimean generals of palpable skill still roaming about in the civilian districts instead of the castle where the royal family was. They had not anticipated a powerful force hiding within the capital.
This led him to curiously find the trail of bodies, where the number of their own men found lying on the ground outnumbered the Crimean forces, save for a couple of bodies that were burnt, likely from magic attacks. A lone man was standing in the piles of corpses he littered throughout the streets of Melior. It was as if the Dark Angel had visited them... This man... he was no knight.
The assassin twirled his blades and turned to meet the Daein forces, with his blade pointing towards Bryce in particular. Bryce narrowed his eyes at the challenge issued to him. The only thing he could do was to respond in kind...
"Men..." Bryce said to his underlings. "Find General Petrine or regroup with the main force. I will fight this man, alone..."
His last sentence was no declaration, it was an order. He couldn't afford any distractions or his men being caught in a skirmish against this man (who could easily resort to coward's tactics). Whoever this assassin was, if he lost his vigilance, he could easily lose his life. All the more reason he needed to face this man alone...
"""Yes sir!"""
With that, his subordinates left the vicinity, leaving just the pair to face off. Two individuals of considerable skills were about to clash.
Compared to the paltry forces led by the lesser Daein generals, Jaffar knew this man would be among the strongest he'd faced. But still, he had to delay the elite Daein forces from reaching the citizens or Nino. He knew this man would be among the biggest obstacles to allowing the civilians to flee.
"You face a rider of Daein, my name is Bryce," Bryce said in a powerful tone. He raised his regalia lance and pointed it at Jaffar. "Who are you, young man?"
Jaffar stared blankly at the elite before him. Using his title would do nothing for the enemy but to scour for any information related to him. It was useless, as no information about him would exist on the continent aside from their comrades.
Nevertheless, their actions against the Daein forces would be recorded. Their lives would likely never be the same... but they had one another. That alone would keep them alive and persisting to this day.
"I am no warrior," Jaffar replied. "But they call me... the Angel of Death..."
Like the Dark Angel, he descends and heralds death. Ominous, yet proven by the carnage that was unleashed on the streets. In Bryce's mind, there was no doubt this man wouldn't be unknown in Tellius. But why now of all times? Who hired this assassin of palpable skill instead of a proper knight? He put aside these thoughts to face this man.
"Fitting..." Bryce replied while preparing himself in a stance. "But you will not claim my life here! Have at thee!"
Bryce would remain stalwart for his homeland despite the offenses they commit. He would protect his nation. Likewise, Jaffar would protect his family, the ones who gave him a place to belong.
"Here I come..." Jaffar announced.
With their announcements, their weapons collided and their resolve clashed against one another.
Soren ran as quickly as he could to avoid the Daein soldiers pursuing him. He didn't have an accurate estimate of Raven's strength in comparison to the elite general. But if rumors were true, Raven would at least survive if he proved his mettle. Albeit, he would be taken in for gladiator-like battles in order to escape his predicament...
It may also reflect well on the company if they were pardoned for their strength and ability. But for now, they had to leave the city as fugitives. Soren thought of ways to quietly reunite with others and regroup at the mercenary fort while sprinting. There was still a chance to salvage this minor setback while keeping involvement to a minimum. All he needed to do was find and convince the others to leave Melior immediately.
Normally, he would already be out of breath by this point, but Soren noticed his physical and magical growth improved considerably since his departure to Melior, even if it was nothing more than a placebo. It appears his expectations were once again overturned...
As he ran past the alleyway, he heard the sound of weapons clashing ahead of him. But there were footsteps behind him currently on his tail... There was no way but to proceed forward despite the potential skirmish he might encounter.
Exiting the alleyway, Soren once again pales at the sight of familiar figures currently engaging with the Daein army. It was Nino, Priscilla, Erk, and somehow Canas shooting spells at the oncoming platoon of Daein forces. All the while they were supplied with tomes from the merchant Anna who was giving the group tomes and staves whenever needed.
Anna's boyfriend, Jake, was currently manning what appeared to be a modified ballista attached to the carriage from where Anna was currently giving out her wares and shooting bolts at soldiers and fliers alike while protected by their employees (save for Nino's brothers and fiancé). At any rate, they managed to hold off the onslaught of Daein forces as the number of Daein casualties on the ground outnumbered the Crimean casualties due to the group's intervention.
Nino first took notice of the wind mage and smiled. "Soren! You're here!" She said with jubilation in her tone. Soren, however, did not share her sentiment.
Canas turned his head to the young strategist and widened his eyes. "Young Soren, look out!" And with a blue book, he chanted:
Oh spirits of water! Flood thy enemies to the depths of the sea!
ELWATER
A stream of water came from Canas's hand and directed itself over Soren's head and into the crowd of soldiers originally in pursuit of Soren. The infantrymen were swept away in the flood created by Canas.
Soren did not appear thankful, as he observed the situation on the battlefield. At this rate, the company would be wanted by Daein in the worst sense of the word.
He let out a sigh and grumbled under his breath as he readied his Elwind tome. Their defenses were not ideal. Might as well hold out until they could reunite with the others. He wasn't used to taking command like Raven or his commander...
"Prepare defensive formation! Fighters, to the front! Medical and magical personnel, to the back!" Soren ordered to his companions.
"""AYE, SIR!"""
A lone elegant woman with emerald hair that had some of it tied up into a side bun was pulled by her uncle and his subordinate, who was also her childhood friend, both attempting to reassure her but she could not hear their pleas. She was shaken and frozen to her core at the sight she witnessed in the throne room. In the room with a pair of thrones, her mother and father lay dead alongside many of their retainers in front of a daunting man.
When he slowly turned his head, the young woman quivered in fear at the sight of the one they called the Mad King... His maddening grin terrified her to no end as he held his gigantic blade caked in the blood of her parents and servants. When he saw her, all he did was snort, as if unamused by her existence.
It was only until her uncle and General Geoffrey managed to narrowly escape with her. They would have to reconvene their efforts in Fayre, which was bound to be attacked next. Bastian should have organized some evacuation effort and regathered some of their knights for a final counteroffensive.
Before the woman knew it, she was on top of a horse riding behind her uncle. Behind him was the remnant cavalry forces that included Geoffrey. Not a word was uttered by her during their escape.
"Be strong... young Elincia..." Her uncle, Renning, spoke softly to her. "For your father... my brother..."
His words helped her regain her strength. She mustn't falter at this time. Regardless of the King and Queen perishing, she and her lord uncle were still alive.
Elincia Ridell Crimea and Renning Ridell Crimea were still alive. Until their final breath, Crimea lives to see another day. So long as the embers remain, it can ignite the spark to resurrect the nation from the ashes.