Chapter 17: Talons Alight Part 2

"So... you're part of the Fierce Eagle's group?" Ike asked of Heath.

They were within a room where they both sat in chairs both at opposite ends of the table. His green wyvern, Hyperion was in the stables, after reassuring his partner that he would be fine. For all intents and purposes, this was a interrogation room.

"I was." He confirmed. While his wrists and ankles were confined to manacles. "I'm not surprised you heard of us. You caused a stir a year ago here in Caelin and had a decent reputation in Bern due to your good deeds."

Well, he received a hint from the letter left in his room. Along with later clarification from others over who Eubans was. Furthermore, there had to be extra security detail these past few days since the attack and letter being left.

Moreover, Ike was surprised the reputation of Greil Mercenaries in Elibe especially within Bern reached all the way to Laus. Unless of course, they received info from informants. Unbeknownst to Ike, Heath kept tabs on news from Bern, and the Greil Mercenaries pops up on occasion. But that is besides the point.

"So why did you turncoat your own group?" He asked. "What made you betray the mercenaries that you were with?"

It's something more personal to Ike, as Heath readily surrendered to them knowing it would earn the ire of his former comrades and put his life at risk in the hands of his enemies.

"They are planning to set fire in the dead of night in the East. Using a diversion to divide your forces." Ike's eyes widened at the revelation. "You should be able to prevent it while evacuating villagers should things go wrong."

They could still go now while there was still light out. At least before it gets too dark. In any event, this was crucial information to prevent villagers from being impacted while retaining more of their forces.

"So you didn't want in on putting innocent lives at risk?" Ike asked to which Heath stood silent for a moment and nodded.

"Yes... as a former knight, I still hold my virtues. And I refuse to ruin or harm the lives of civilians, women and children most of all." Heath announced with a serious expression. "Darin effectively left with the Black Fang to Valor, the Dread Isles. He abandoned us to fend for ourselves against you, just like he did to the civilians of Laus. There's no reason to further risk my own life along with others for a fool's errand."

Black Fang... The ones after Nils and Ninian. At any rate, why were they involved in provoking conflict across Lycia? Ike pondered upon Heath's confession. The Dread Isles were perilous to attempt to journey to. In any event, that will be their destination if they wanted to pursue Darin.

Just as Ike was ready to respond, many footsteps and clamor could be heard from outside. Suddenly, the door opened from behind them, revealing Kent with an aghast expression.

"Ike!" Kent called out. "A forest fire! To the East! It could reach the village!"

"What!? He told me he was planning to do it in the dead of night!" Heath responded with a panicked expression.

There was still light out. It was too early to declare an attack while setting fire. Unless...

"He found out I left and decided to commence it early...?" Heath whispered out.

Ike stood silent for a moment until he turned to Heath.

"Get your wyvern ready," To which both Kent and Heath turned to him, "If you're serious about helping us, then help fight off the forces."

"Ike..." Kent voiced out in response.

There was no reason for Heath to put himself into the hands of the enemy willingly just to announce the plans of his former group with a false lead. If he was earnest in wanting to help innocent civilians, then let him help.

"I'll take Hyperion and assist you in battle..." Heath announced.

It was impossible to put out a forest fire of that magnitude without an entire squadron of fliers throwing dirt, sand and water from above. So his use would be to fight off his former comrades.

"Very well..." Ike nodded. "Kent, gather the troops to organize an effort to evacuate the Eastern village. Use the cavalry to direct the civilians to a safe area guarded by soldiers. Once you're done, come to the Western front to fight off the Laus forces. Archers and ground troops will be needed. Wallace will come us to fight off the remaining Laus forces. Erk and Florina will be in their positions like last time."

"Understood, Ike." Kent responded and swiftly left to reiterate Ike's orders.

"Heath, you will meet with Florina and Erk at the top of the castle platform to prevent any attacks from the North to the castle." Ike ordered.

"Very well... Commander Ike." Heath replied.

"Tch. That Heath is a traitor. He knows nothing of honor. He can carry those precious morals straight to the grave..." Eubans muttered to himself.

Not soon after Heath left, telling others that he would scope out the area undetected. It wasn't long that Eubans found the entire situation fishy and quickly organized the troops to carry out the attack prematurely. There was still light out, preventing their forces from using the darkness to their advantage. At any rate, they needed to carry out their original plan.

They only had a hundred or so troops left. Some even left after it was clear that their lord had abandoned them. To Eubans, the only thing that mattered was to fulfill his duty to Lord Darin. He was even prepared to die for his sake. He was ready, along with his trusted steed.

"Men! Prepare to attack!" Eubans announced to the troops behind him.

The rest of the soldiers all gave their war cry. This was their final chance. And possibly their last march.

Ike had everyone save for Erk and Florina by his side with ground troops behind then. They stood before the rapid advancing forces of Laus. Far more swiftly than the last generals who led the march.

The troops and everyone given instructions to act accordingly to defend the castle while most of the forces quickly helped to evacuate villagers. Only about a third of the Caelin forces which consisted of Ike and his mercenaries, Lyn, and the elite knights of Caelin along with a few troops.

Raven and Lucius took the occultic scrolls to which the pair learnt Sol and Flare respectively. The latter could have taken it when he was promoted to a bishop, but he declined. Preferring to have the others back in Caelin obtain it first and to save on costs. But now the situation had changed. They needed all members to display their full potential.

Ike held his sword up, "Caelin forces and Greil Mercenaries, let's move out!"

"""YES SIR!"""

Heath found himself quickly thrusting his lance against his former comrades. Their faces of disgust at his betrayal while they kept advancing towards the castle. There was no words to be said. He wanted to protect the innocent lives and was willing to leave behind the people he once drank and laughed with to do so.

The mage they had quickly brought down any fliers that were too close with an unknown tome. Wind magic that effectively disrupted the flight from any pegasus or wyvern attempting to advance. The young pegasus knight was also formidable, able to quickly maneuver and dispatch the Laus soldiers with ease. Her pegasus quickly made hoops and dashed towards her enemies, causing the riders or their companions to fall to their deaths upon being stunned.

None were able to pass the castle, with Heath having a heavy heart as he watched the ones who fought beside him once end up falling to the treacherous mountains and hills. Before he knew it, it was over. And so were his bonds with his former mercenary band.

Eubans gritted his teeth. Their forces technically outnumbered Caelin, but with Caelin's elite units and mercenaries, they barely put a dent in their numbers. He felt ashamed for not being able to arrive earlier to assist Bauker and Bernard. Their numbers were dwindling by the second. The spellcasters they had on hand along with Eubans, were currently with engaged with the bishop the enemy had. However...

Upon being surrounded by Eubans and several shamans and mages, Lucius remained steadfast with his shine tome in hand. He was injured by Eubans on the right shoulder. To them, he/she was the one healer and offensive spellcaster they needed to watch for. As they surrounded him, Lucius closed his eyes and his spoke softly.

"Saint Elimine preserve me..."

Flare

Upon Lucius's prayer, his body glowed. He began his invocation. Just as Eubans realized what he was doing, he threw his spear at Lucius, hoping to stop him. The other spellcasters followed suit, only for Lucius to swiftly shift to the side to avoid the spear and opened his eyes.

"Oh guiding light of life! Shine a ray upon my path and strike my enemies!"

Shine

And a burst of light erupted, causing Eubans and his spell casters to get hit from the impact. His steed having taken most of the brunt of the attack while he was pushed farther away from Lucius due to the shockwave. As he got up to quickly, his eyes widened. His horse, and the spellcasters they had were dead. As if magical defense or resistance did not matter. All while his opponent stood intact, and his right shoulder... it was healed.

'That was no Nosferatu spell, yet how did that bishop recover!? There was no sign of a vulnerary or a nearby healer they had. That little red-haired lass was off being protected by two others. Did someone heal using a Physic staff?' Eubans thought to himself.

Nevertheless, he witnessed other members of the group following suit upon using a powerful technique. Felling their forces that ignored defenses and healing their own wounds. It was clear... they all had extraordinary abilities.

Just as Eubans stood and Lucius went off to fight with others, the commander of the Caelin forces caught his eye. A young spiky blue-haired lad. He didn't look a day beyond our newest recruits. The boy in question eyes widened upon seeing Eubans. His appearance to him looks exactly the same as the Black Fang who they fought a year ago in the stronghold minus the hair color (AN: Eubans and Beyard have same base portrait but swapped color scheme). But he quickly snapped out of it focusing on the battle at hand. Probably just a coincidence.

"Heh! To think I'd be fighting a young lad who acts as a commander of an army." He spoke while unsheathing a blade at his side and readying his stance. "Still, I won't lose! I live and breathe the air of war! I can't be beaten!"

Ike readied his blade behind him, standing straight as he addressed Eubans: "I'm commander Ike, of the Greil Mercenaries in Elibe. If you wish to live, then surrender and retreat."

"No chance, I may be a mercenary, but Lord Darin is one I'm loyal to and I plan to see through it to the bitter end..." Smiling towards Ike, "You're the same type, I know. Why else would you go that far for a lassie who's heir to Caelin?"

Ike narrowed his eyes. "Loyalty means nothing if you can't stop the ones you're loyal to from self-destruction... That's not being loyal, it's obedience, and it should be the same whether you're a knight or mercenary that you should stop them." He replied, to which Eubans chuckled.

It no longer mattered. To Eubans, he'll follow Darin to his death. Sharing the fate of his lord was his form of loyalty. To Ike, his loyalty was shaped to protect family and friends while thinking for their best interests. Wallace told him that loyalty doesn't mean to obey and agree with everything the other party says. It's to take actions to help best serve others. Ike understood, the admiration this man had for his employer will lead him to his death, rather than to live.

Eubans advanced forward, slashing diagonally downward at Ike from his right sword arm, who shifted to the side to dodge. Only for Eubans to lunge forward with the side he attacked with, hoping to slam into Ike. Ike quickly low-kicked using his left leg, staggering Eubans from his attempted lunge.

Twisting his body in the direction to the right, he slashed Euban's back. Ike wasn't finished, as he quickly followed up with an upwards diagonal strike at Eubans, who quickly blocked with his blade. Their physical strength were evenly matched.

"Grrrrrraaaaaahhhhh!" Eubans growled out.

He had to quickly end the battle. As he shuffled back to gather himself, he saw the boy twist his blade up into the air.

'He must be grabbing it while in midair like the others said!" Eubans thought.

He dashed forward, knowing how to maneuver past such an attack midair. But the moment never came, as Ike did grab it, only while on the ground. Quickly dashing forward to attack in the blink of an eye. A horizontal slash came at Eubans, with no way to defend.

LUNA

Unlike previous usage of the technique to thrust, it only required Ike to slash and remain on the ground. The strike hit Eubans, ignoring his defenses, and causing a huge gash on his upper body. His feet barely having the strength to stand up, his grip on his weapon loosened and fell. Regardless, he stood smiling at Ike with blood coming from his mouth.

"No regrets... My life...and death...are my own!" Eubans announced before closing his eyes and falling on his back.

And thus, he fell. Going ahead before his lord. He remained committed to Darin just like the others. The other soldiers who were subordinates to Eubans saw this and panicked.

"Commander Eubans has gone down... Uh... Sound the retreat! We've no more reason to fight!" One soldier hastily called out.

With a horn that signaled the enemy forces to retreat, the remaining forces scrambled to leave Caelin. Meanwhile, rain began to fall with a roar of thunder off in the distance. As if to bless the land for their victory. The fires seemed to be gone out in the distance. Ike breathed in a sigh of relief. The Laus forces were all decimated. No one left to invade Caelin. Everyone gathered near Ike.

"Ike! It's over! We won!" Wil called out.

Lyn also shared in the jubilation looking up into the sky as she opened her mouth, "Thank Father Sky." As rain dropped onto her face, she turned to Ike with his hair now soaking wet.

They stood their ground, and won in the end. Casualties were kept to a minimum.

"Ike..." Kent went up to him. "We lost about a third of our original forces... some perished in the fire when attempting to lead the evacuation. In any event, we survived, but the homes and forest in the East are no more."

They didn't act quickly enough to stop Laus forces. Now many villagers were displaced. It would take months to rebuild their homes. Not to mention the lives of Caelin forces...

Sain also added on to the report: "Lady Florina, Erk, and our new member did splendidly. They valiantly fought off the fliers coming from the North. However, Heath seems to be taking a shovel..."

He looked to the bodies on the ground. Just like the generals and soldiers who invaded, their lives were lost due to a delusional madman. Condemning their fates to an unnamed grave or worse. While they lost some, these people who fought under the wrong man lost everything. His mind went to Heath, who felt the pain of burying his former comrades.

"It's not over..." Ike muttered. Everyone's attention went to him. "The man responsible for all this ran off to the Dread Isles to escape. Abandoning his army, civilians, his people who looked up to him..."

Ike held a determined expression on his face.

"We're heading to Valor to finish this."