Chapter V: A Kingdom of Warriors

Ragna laid his head on his room's small desk, his breathing even as he got the first decent amount of sleep since arriving in Ylisse. He'd attempted another all-nighter, but 'resting his eyes for a few minutes' a couple of hours into studying had turned into the Reaper going out cold.

Intimidation and Resolve

"Ragna!" came a shout from outside the door followed by several loud knocks. "Hey Ragna! Come on, open up! Chrom wants to make sure everyone up, we'll be marching in an hour!" The Reaper didn't respond from his slumber. "Ragna?"

Slowly but unsurely, Stahl opened the door to find the Reaper fast asleep with his head planted sideways on a book. "Great," he said to himself. "Okay Stahl you just have to wake one guy up… a guy who's capable of taking on an army by himself..." Stahl took an unsure step forward. "Just come up with something that won't make him angry, who knows? Maybe he's a morning person."

It was then that Ragna started mumbling in his sleep. "Mmmmm… Carnage… Scissors…"

"Oh jeeze, he's even dreaming of fighting. Here goes nothing… nothing but my life," Stahl said as he mildly shook the Reaper's shoulder. "Ragna, c'mon get up… Please?"

"Gah…" Ragna said as he rose his head from the desk and grimaced harshly. "God my neck's so cramped. Hey. Stahl, right? What's up?"

"You are finally, just wanted to let you know that Chrom said we're heading out in an hour."

"Great, still gives me some time to grab breakfast and…" He smelt himself before cringing in disgust. "Get a damn bath. By the way, why the hell do you look so nervous? I starting to get worried you're going to pass out."

"Oh, it's nothing, I just wasn't sure how you'd react to be woken. I half expected you to tear my arm off and beat me to death with it," Stahl said with a terrified.

Ragna sighed. "Look Stahl, is that really something you'd think I'd do?"

"Not really, it's just I've seen what some people are like in the morning after getting woken up in a bad mood. Pair that with your combat skills and you're the last person I wanted to wake up."

"Then why are you-?"

"I drew the short straw."

"Ah. Well sorry for stressing you out. Though I don't really get how you could be so timid. You seemed to be holding your own pretty well yesterday."

"Well to you, maybe," Stahl said, giving a nervous laugh. "But whenever I get into a proper fight I get close to wetting myself. Even with regular sparing I feel like I'm at death's door if my opponent is intense enough. I honestly don't know how I've managed to live this long when I'm about to faint every time an opponent comes at me."

'This guy sounds like he could be a huge liability, but those skills he was showing yesterday are going to be needed. And he's lasted this long…' "Then what keeps you from passing out?" Ragna asked.

"Never really thought about it honestly, but if I had to pick something out it would probably be the fact that everyone's counting on me. I don't think I could live with myself if I left the Shepherd's down; they're my friends and they deserve my best."

"Then focus on that," Ragna ordered while finally getting up from his chair and stretching. "You're lucky you get your strength off of something like that."

"Thanks Ragna," the rider thanked. "If you don't mind my asking, what do you get your strength off of? The way you fight, it must be something pretty important."

Ragna hesitated for a moment. "I'll tell you another time, right now I need to get ready."

"All right, let's get through whatever today throws at as," Stahl said, now a touch more confident.

Ragna grinned. "That's the spirit."

Support Rank C obtained with Stahl

The Mess Hall

An Unwanted Favor

After Ragna had freshened up with a bath, he headed to grab some breakfast and noticed the Sully, Lissa, and Cordelia were already there eating. As he passed by them, they all gave him a friendly wave and smile after their short bonding time last night. The Reaper simply nodded a return to them.

"My, my, how the cold winds blow of the shoulder in the man in red." Ragna groaned, he knew who was talking to him. "That's hardly a proper greeting, I was only hoping that we could talk for a moment."

"Yeah, well I've got to eat fast. Need to get a couple things taken care before I rally the troops and all that."

"Yes, I imagine the new job of tactician leaves you quite busy," Virion acknowledged. "Though I have to say, you're taking quite the dedicated approach… even if reckless."

"Uh, thanks?" Ragna said unsurely while he proceeded to grab himself some food.

"Yes, but I fear you don't quite know how to enjoy the simpler sides of life. What joy have you allowed yourself since you've entered Ylisse I wonder?"

"C'mon, I got a couple hours of sleep last night!"

Virion let out a dignified chuckle. "What a bizarre sense of humor you have Ragna!" He continued to laugh before seeing Ragna's confused expression. "…Oh my, you're serious."

"Why wouldn't I be?" Ragna demanded.

"Well, this simply cannot do! As your close friend, Virion shall tell and show you about the greater and simpler things to enjoy in Ylisse, nay the world!"

'So he's offering to... oh… shit. And HELL NO!' "Thanks for the offer, Virion, but I have better things to do than waste my time with some senseless philandering."

"Philandering!?" Virion retorted completely shocked. "Those words strike harsher than the sharpest of swords my friend! But you are sure you won't reconsider?"

"Why would I?" Ragna retorted as he sat down and started eating.

"Well, I could always talk to Chrom," Virion suggested grinning. "I'm not sure how well our commander would react to his darling sister giving pies to… some punk." Ragna glared at Virion; he'd been listening in. "Besides, he has told you to relax on more than one occasion, hasn't he? Might as well come with me willing while you have the slightest say in the matter."

Ragna narrowed his eyes at the archer and what he was suggesting, while he continued to eat. Chrom could regard the first bit of the conversation as Virion just spreading rumors, but it Chrom could very likely believe Virion was right in saying Ragna needed break. "…Fine," Ragna finally admitted. "As soon as things start to calm down, I'll let you know."

"As you wish," Virion said with a grin showing that he'd won this day. "And I shall be waiting for you to decide when you require help enjoying-"

"Just one request," Ragna said.

"And that would be?" Virion asked, somewhat annoyed that his friend had interrupted him.

"No Brothels."

"What!? Now see here-!"

And with that one snide remark, Ragna had to endure Virion's talks of righteousness and how he would never enter such a place, even if his life depended on it. The Reaper lost count of how many times he called 'bull' in his mind.

Support Rank C Obtained with Virion

Ferox Border

Problem

"Why does Regna Ferox have to be so dang FREEZING!?" Lissa yelled at the top of her lungs as she endured the screaming wind and ridged snow.

Ragna chuckled to himself; Lissa's antics would never cease to amaze him. "The less time we spend complaining, the sooner we can reach a shelter. Just keep that in mind. Sides, all your whining would do is tire you out faster."

"Rude as he may be, Ragna does have a point," Fredrick said, his eyes narrowed at the Reaper.

Ragna returned the great knight's glare with his own before allowing himself a small smile and turning the other cheek. "Well at least I can admit to having a problem," he retorted to Fredrick. "Maybe you could learn something from Lissa, Freddy."

"I would ask that you don't address me with that ridiculous name," Fredrick asked, holding his glare at Ragna. "I don't see why you continue to goad me."

"You tell me your reasons; I'll tell you mine." Ragna turned and regarded his companion with a sly grin. "Deal?"

"If you want reasons I can tell you very bluntly," Fredrick said. "The simple truth is I still don't trust you; you may have proven yourself to Chrom time and again, but my station mandates that I be absolutely sure. That, and your way of addressing others leaves something to be desired."

"…Fair enough" Ragna agreed, far less offended than the Great Knight had anticipated. "I guess I can understand that. For you it's all part of the job."

"What about you," Fredrick asked. "I've given you my answer in complete honesty, tell me yours."

"Simple, you're too uptight. Ever since I've met you, I've only seen you smile once and that was when you, to quote Chrom, 'brought down the axe.' And people thought I was sadistic."

"But my-"

"Yeah, yeah, it's your job to be serious. Look, part of what makes everyone here so great is that we don't just let ourselves become a group of mindless soldiers. We each bring our own special part to the team, whether it's our combat skills or our personality."

Fredrick gave Ragna a questioning look. "You say this, yet you've only been the tactician for a day."

"Because it's that obvious to see, just give it a chance."

Fredrick sighed. "Very well, I will give it some consideration."

Ragna gave Fredrick a playful slap on the shoulder. "Lighten up, it could be fun."

"Somehow, I doubt it."

Support Rank C Obtained with Fredrick

"We're coming up to the Longfort," Ragna said staring off into the distance. "Chrom, you got your speech ready?"

"I'm ready to undergo a peaceful talk if that's what you're asking," Chrom said. "Though I hope I don't have to be flamboyant."

"Don't try to be," Fredrick assured him. "Ferox values strength, not words."

"Let's hope we don't have to show much of either," Chrom said as the fort came into more visible view.

"We'll find out soon," Ragna assured. "Showtime."

"Who goes there?" a feminine and powerful voice bellowed out.

"Hold milady!" Chrom commanded. "We are representatives of Ylisse!"

"Oh truly? Then perhaps you wouldn't mind explaining why you and your friends are armed."

"Desperate times call for desperate measures. Not only is our country ransacked by Plegian hired bandits, but we have also received a more arcane threat which we call the Risen we are here to-!"

"Enough, I have heard plenty excuses!" With that a barrage of javelins was sent at Chrom with the killing intent, but he was saved at the last second by Sumia swooping in and moving him out of the way on her Pegasus.

As pissed at Ragna was at this chick's attitude, he knew enough that going berserk here wasn't going to solve anything that easily. 'Warrior nation… warrior nation… Come on think! ...I got it!' "Hey Lady! Are you too scared to come out of that fortress!? Seems pretty cowardly for a Feroxi soldier!"

"How dare you!" she bellowed back. "Do you truly intend to dishonor your company even further by spouting insults!?"

"Actually, I was hoping to settle this the old way. Your greatest warrior against ours! You win, we surrender unconditionally! If we win though, you have to hear us out! There's no need for anyone risk comrades here!"

"What are you doing?" Fredrick asked Ragna skeptically.

"Trying to give them a game they'll want to play at," Ragna responded.

"They won't ask for you; if Chrom's our leader they'll demand to see him," Frederick informed. Ragna didn't answer. "Had you accounted for that?"

"Not entirely, but I can roll with it."

"For your sake; I hope so."

"Very well, I accept your challenge and your terms!" the commanding officer shouted in response to the Reaper's challenge. The gates to the fortress opened revealing a woman with blonde hair wearing a suit of heavy armor. "As commander, I will represent my battalion in this challenge."

"Good to know," Ragna responded before looking to the sky. "Hey Chrom! You're up!"

Sumia's pegasus landed beside him and Fredrick and Ylisse's crowned prince dismounted. "I will represent my kingdom!" he shouted as he took out Falchion and proceeded to advance Flavia.

And thus the fight bega-

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, time out!" Ragna said stepping between the two combatants. "Just a second, just need to talk some sense into this guy." He grabbed Chrom's shoulder and proceeded to drag him away from the ring, leaving some very surprised observers. "Chrom, what the HELL are you doing?"

"I was about to fight-!"

"Not with Falchion you moron; use the Rapier you've been carrying!"

Chrom looked at Ragna aghast. "But that goes against the honoring Ylisse's legac-!"

"Chrom, do you want to get the troops we need back to Ylisse or not?"

"Falchion is said to be indestructible," Chrom reminded Ragna.

"A rapier can pierce through her armor," Ragna argued back. "Look, you hired me to be a strategist, now let me do my job!"

"Fine!" Chrom yelled at him, before he walked back toward the commander, this time with his rapier drawn. "Yeesh, and he always thinks he's right. Just wait until my rapier breaks in half after one stab."

Long story short, Chrom wins in one stab. His rapier managed to impale the knight easily, though it did not mortally wound her, it did take her weapon arm out of commission for the time being. The blue haired prince looked at his tactician in awe. "How the hell did you know that!?"

"I read up on some of Ylisse's weaponry and that sword of yours is a pretty special one. Its design is different from your usual rapier and this allows to pierce armor more naturally. Guess you owe me for staying up all night reading."

"…Guess so, but I won't encourage you to continue this streak," Chrom admitted, meeting Ragna halfway. "Let's talk to the leader, Lissa's healing her now."

"Good move; all the easier for them to trust us."

"Prince Chrom, I am Raimi," the woman acknowledged. "I am sorry for doubting you, but bandits have been trying to sneak through the border time and time again. We had to be sure."

"No hard feelings," Chrom said. "Though I apologize my tactician's mouth."

"Hey! We're all alive now because of my mouth!" Ragna attested. "So, can we meet with the Kahn now?"

"Of course, if you'll please follow me."

"Sounds good," Ragna said as they made their way off. "Oh and Chrom, you were sure to thank Sumia for saving your hide, right?"

"Of course I have," Chrom assured him. He seemed rather perplexed why Ragna would be asking him about something so obvious.

Ragna narrowed his eyes. 'He realizes to thank Sumia, but doesn't even look at Cordelia. I really hope she gets over him soon. She'll have her heart broken otherwise.'

Author's Note: I don't own Fire Emblem or BlazBlue.

Another tie in chapter… whoop de frickin' doo. The support conversation were nice in my eyes, but you all know what happens from the game. I'll try to readjust a few of the later chapters so that you're not just reading a recap with Ragna.

Until next time!

Ciao.