Chapter 27: Battle Before Dawn
Two figures were seen rushing through the seemingly unoccupied palace. Hurrying across the hallways, they come across a large door in front of them, locked.
"The prince's room… Is that the door?" Nino voiced out with a sense of reluctance in her tone. Jaffar silently nodded at her question.
No sentries were spotted as they infiltrated the manse. Despite the numerous objections raised by Murdock and his men, they cannot defy the orders of their current king. Essentially leaving Prince Zephiel vulnerable...
Queen Hellene was even away from the manse, attempting to plead with King Desmond on the issue of succession.
"General Murdock, the prince's bodyguard, should be away. The king concocted some errand to call him from Zephiel's side… There are no guards around." She clapped both sides of her cheeks to reassure herself. "This is an…easy job, isn't it? I… I can do this! This is my first mission, you know? I guess I'm a little nervous, but… I mustn't fail. Mustn't let Mother down."
Jaffar once again remained silent, feeling a sense of... guilt... welling up inside of him. He was tasked with ending the girl's life at the behest of her mother, once her job of assassinating Prince Zephiel was accomplished.
"Are you ready, Jaffar?" Nino called out to the man, who remained staring at the girl.
"I've…no desire to be a part of your blundering…" He responded coldly. "If you fail, I will, without hesitation, finish the target and then you."
Nino became alarmed by the man's callous words.
"What!?" She exclaimed.
Jaffar then shook his head and spoke: "Do not be so naive as to expect help from 'friends.' ...Remember that."
Jaffar was thinking of a way to avoid killing the girl, if possible. She saved his life, after all. But then he would be deviating from his purpose, the tasks he was to accomplish. As the Angel of Death raised by Nergal.
"I…I knew that. Don't have to tell me…" She nervously replied. "I'm a member of the Black Fang, after all. Ha ha…"
Her nervous expression betrayed the words she spoke. Her anxiety was at its peak. Jaffar remained silent in the face of the girl's innocence.
"…I won't fail." She reminded herself. "I will become worthy… I will. Mother will be proud of me. She will see the daughter I've become, and she will love me."
Jaffar knew it would never come true. Her dreams would end this very night, never to be loved...
"…There are no guards. It's just like we were told, but…something's strange." She voiced out curiously.
Jaffar observed his surroundings but his keen senses picked up the source of the oddity. Someone was speaking within the room, likely their target. A few moments later, Nino also picks up on the sounds coming from behind the door.
"Listen! A voice! Someone's talking in the room!" Nino pointed out to which Jaffar shook his head.
"No… Someone's praying."
Nino listened carefully and realized her fellow assassin was correct. It was likely Prince Zephiel, but why?
"You're right… It's the prince, isn't it? I wonder what he's praying for." She pondered as they continued to eavesdrop on the Prince's prayer.
Within the room where the assassins stood outside, a lone boy stood. He had short blonde hair, with a thin gold circlet ornament wrapped around his forehead. Wearing a blue-purple shirt over white tights, along with matching boots and a light-blue cape wrapped around his neck. His amber eyes were closed in prayer as he kneeled with his hands clasped together.
"I offer this prayer unto thee: My coming-of-age ceremony is tomorrow. As the prince of Bern, I've tried… I've tried my best not to be an embarrassment to my father. I know I've not met his expectations. But I will try harder. I will please him. I vow to do better. For him." He pleaded earnestly.
Nino stood silent, waiting for the prince to finish his prayer. Somehow, she felt empathy for the young boy who craved parental acceptance.
"…Hear me: Tomorrow, I will be a man… So this is my last wish as a foolish child. It's the same one I've asked of you every night for all these years, but… Please, bring Father and Mother together again. Please, let the day come when Guinivere and I and her mother… When all of us can live together happily in the castle." Zephiel asked earnestly, calling out to God for his wish.
It was his sole desire in this world. Although Guinivere was not of the same mother, he cherished her regardless. He hoped that one day, they could truly be a single family. The day his father's heart could accept him and his mother alongside Guinivere and her mother.
Nino felt a connection, a sense of empathy towards the boy. In the end, could she take the life of someone who reminded her of herself?
"It's time…" Jaffar announced.
"Oh! Jaffar…" Nino hoped to halt the assassin, but he quickly lockpicked the door to the prince's room.
The door became wide open and Jaffar dashed to the prince with his front still facing the wall. The prince quickly noticed the sudden intruder and attempted to stand up.
"What!?" Zephiel exclaimed. Only to receive a strike to the back of his neck. "Villain..." He uttered as he fell unconscious in front of Jaffar.
"That will leave him unconscious for some time. Now, the time has come for you to do your part…" He muttered, waiting for the girl to commit to her duties.
Nino stood silent as she walked slowly towards the prince, with an Elfire tome and dagger in hand.
"…Do it." Jaffar insisted.
From then on, it would no longer be his problem. The moment she kills the target, he would finish her off as well.
"…O-OK." Nino stammered, trembling as she held her tome to chant or maybe use the dagger to plunge the blade into the prince. But she remained standing still, with Jaffar looking at the girl who hesitated.
It was then that Nino made her decision. Even though she would be defying her mother's expectations, she would not take the life of someone she empathized with.
"I…cannot." She declared after a brief pause, putting away her dagger and tome. Jaffar became alerted by her refusal.
"What!? What did you say?" He asked with a sense of exasperation.
"Listen to him… All he wants is his parents' love… To be accepted… That's all…" Nino voiced out as she looked into the eyes of Jaffar, with a sad smile. "He's just like me. No matter how I try, Mother always looks at me as if I were nothing. Her eyes are so filled with disappointment. She's never held me… not even once…"
Jaffar then gritted his teeth at the girl. "Stop this foolishness! I told you! I will not permit you to ruin my opportunity!" He shouted, but to no avail, as the girl shook her head and looked into his eyes.
Those clear blue eyes she held... if she continued looking at him like that, his resolve would waver. He had to execute his mission, no matter the cost.
Nino then nodded. "I know… Do as you must, Jaffar. I won't resist. You can do it easily. But…" She turned to the unconscious prince as she spoke. "Please don't hurt the prince. …For pity's sake…"
Jaffar's eyes widened at the girl's resolve to die and have him abandon his mission in return. The exotic daggers he held were tightly gripped. For the first time in his life, he held a frustrated emotion evident on his face.
"…I'm ready to die," Nino muttered as she closed her eyes with tears falling down her face. With the same innocent expression as always. The same smile Jaffar had seen when he first saw Nino with her stepbrothers.
He thought the girl raised by Sonia would be somewhat like him when he first heard of her in the Fang. When he saw the girl happily with her brothers, in that dazzling light. She belonged there with them... a place where he wasn't meant to belong.
He was death incarnate. He was to feel nothing, fear nothing, desire nothing. He was only to kill, nothing more. The infant Angel of Death was found by Nergal sleeping on top of bodies, killing was his sole purpose in life. He was no better than the morphs constructed by Nergal, with no sentience unless made for that purpose. But when he was rescued by the girl in front of him, he finally yearned for something.
Taking out the artifact and laying it in front of the unconscious Prince Zephiel, he grasped the wrist of the girl who was prepared to die. The girl was startled by the unexpected action, looking into the eyes of the young man who grabbed her wrist.
"...Come." He said as he turned towards the exit holding Nino.
"What?" She uttered as he quickly pulled her to leave the chambers.
As they quickly left the prince's room, Jaffar ran with Nino to the front of the entrance to the prince's room.
"We're leaving. Hurry." He declared.
"Jaffar?" Nino called out to the man.
He paced himself to the West side of the manse. Nino followed him slowly, realizing his intent.
"…This is it. Come here." He gestured.
Nino gave a worried look towards Jaffar and grasped his wrist, stopping the assassin in his tracks.
"Bu-But if you do this… Jaffar, you'll…" She stammered as she looked at the assassin with genuine concern.
She was happy to know he was willing to abandon his mission at her request. If she was the sole cause of the failure, Jaffar would probably be excused if he only killed her in retaliation. But it was clear he was adamant about keeping her and the prince alive.
"Don't worry about me. Hurry up." Jaffar became alert the next moment as he heard galloping from the North. "…No!" He quickly moved her aside to avoid being discovered.
Ursula, the Blue Crow, appeared alongside her paladin subordinate, Maxime. At the corner of her eyes, she smiled at the Angel of Death, not noticing Nino near him.
"Hello, Jaffar. Finished already? Such magnificent skill. Is this why they call you the Angel of Death? Sonia told me that you were behaving oddly, but… It appears her fears were groundless." Ursula remarked with a somewhat relieved expression.
Sonia held doubts about Jaffar after his slight protest against her. Which is why she sent Ursula to ensure his job went according to plan.
It was then that Nino revealed herself next to Jaffar.
"I'm sorry! It's not Jaffar's fault! It was me! The prince… I couldn't…" She apologized as Ursula narrowed her eyes at the girl who was still alive.
"Nino!" Jaffar exclaimed in horror.
She wasn't supposed to reveal herself.
"What's all this? Why is the girl still alive?" Ursula queried to her fellow associate.
"What?" Nino voiced out, confused by Ursula's question.
Sonia wanted her dead after the prince was killed. But Jaffar had not planned to reveal it to her after abandoning the mission. Nino's eyes began to well up with tears at the realization.
Her mother wanted her dead, the promise of acceptance was a lie. She was never going to be praised or loved.
"You received Lady Sonia's orders, did you not? You were to dispose of the worthless little–" Ursula's vicious reminder of Sonia's orders was cut off by the girl's cries.
"No!" Nino cried out in despair. Jaffar stood in front of her, readying his daggers against Ursula and her underlings.
"Hold your tongue. You will not speak another word," Jaffar warned the woman who snorted in response.
"… So that's how it is? Jaffar, do you plan on betraying Lord Nergal?" Ursula questioned the man who was raised by one of the greatest sorcerers in Elibe. His defiant stare was more than enough to answer her question.
Jaffar glared at the Ursula and her cohorts. "I will not let Nino die. Get in my way, and I'll kill you."
His declaration snapped Nino from her despair. She looked at the man who defended her with earnest gratitude.
"Jaffar!" Nino voiced out.
"Ha ha…" Ursula chuckled, readying her Bolting tome. "So you have some human emotion in you after all. You always seemed just like those creepy morphs. I bet you didn't kill the prince, either... Huh!?"
Ursula let out a surprised noise as she spotted a spiky blue-haired boy peeking out from the prince's room, with the unconscious Zephiel on his back. Both of their capes were used as a harness to strap Zephiel to Ike's back. Everyone turned to the source of the Blue Crow's surprise, and their mouths gaped open.
Everyone present, aside from Nino, knew who this person was. He was one of their targets who was meant to be captured alive. However, Ike wasn't ready to stay within the area, even though Nino was present. She would likely follow after him with Jaffar in tow.
"Damn!" Ike exclaimed as he ran to the East side carrying the prince. Nino and Jaffar sprinted after Ike and Zephiel, leaving Ursula to grit her teeth at the targets and fugitives escaping.
"Maxime!" Ursula called out to her subordinate. "Gather the men and block off their path! Kill the traitors and Prince Zephiel! Capture that mercenary alive! Finish this before we draw attention to ourselves! Go!"
"Yes, Ma'am!" Just as the paladin was ready to leave, another subordinate came to the pair from the North. The expression of the underling was already marred with horror.
Sounds of battle could be heard from a distance.
"Lady Ursula! We're being attacked by Hurricane, White Wolf, and Mad Dog at the back entrance! They flew in with pegasus riders!" He reported frantically. Ursula and Maxime glared at the underling with a vehement stare.
"What!?" Ursula exclaimed as she and Maxime looked to the North. The source of the noise came from where they entered the manse.
She soon heard the flapping of wings behind her. Her sixth sense told her to quickly make her steed move to the side. Maxime also caught on and made his horse shift to the side to avoid whatever was coming their way.
STUN
A wyvern lord quickly maneuvered a loop in the air with her wyvern and dashed at the pair, only to brutally pierce the underling who reported the news and crash into fellow subordinates. She clicked her tongue at the Blue Crow who avoided her strike. At the very least, she killed some of the Fang's underlings.
Ursula glared at the familiar scarred woman who dared to threaten her life. However, she once again felt danger the next moment.
STUN PIERCE
Ursula quickly maneuvered her horse to shift to the side once more as another wyvern knight came dashing at the pair. This time, Maxime was caught while distracted by Vaida, with a lance piercing straight through his armor with blinding speed. The man who pierced him had silver eyes and green hair. His wyvern, Hyperion, snarled at the valkyrie alongside its fellow wyvern, Umbriel.
Heath, a newly promoted wyvern knight (AN: Sacred Stones class), had slain Maxime. His new class held a mystical skill, Pierce, similar to Luna, on top of being granted Stun with an occultic scroll. In any event, she was cornered and her forces were likely outnumbered. With just an Elfire and Bolting tome, her odds were slim.
"End of the line, Blue Crow! Your attempt against Prince Zephiel's life ends here!" Vaida shouted with her javelin aimed at the assassin who made no retort. Her soldier, Heath, also held up his weapon to throw at the mage.
Ursula already hated Vaida, as she was a potential threat to her position in the Fang when she was active. Both riders were ready to launch themselves at the Blue Crow. With her subordinates either dead or engaged with the enemy, she could only do one thing...
Her horse quickly turned East and galloped away from the pair of wyvern riders that threatened her life, evading the javelins that were thrown at her.
"Damn you, you coward!" Vaida cursed out, only to become alerted by some arrows that came her and Heath's way.
Remnants of Ursula's forces were coming their way, ready to fight for their lives. Vaida gritted her teeth as she had to rely on Ike and the other forces to deal with the Blue Crow.
"In the name of the Dragon Fang General, I, Vaida, and her raider, Heath, sentence you all to death!" She announced charging to the North.
"Aye, Commander Vaida!" Heath responded with zeal in his voice. "For Prince Zephiel!"
He followed after Vaida, with his javelin aimed towards the enemies that ran towards them.
Ike sprinted as fast as he could with someone who was significantly heavier than his sister while almost as tall as himself, forcing him to also carry his legs. Prince Zephiel was still unconscious despite the constant shaking while on Ike's back. The hit he received from Jaffar knocked him out.
Ike's mind flickers to the moment before he hoisted Zephiel.
Ike and the others were forced to have all the fliers fly ahead of the troops, as they couldn't afford to waste any more time. The pegasus knights took the old Fang members while Ike and Renault were saddled behind Vaida and Heath, respectively. Vaida needed at least one experienced stave user to use the Warp staff.
It was likely that the remnant Black Fang would use the back entrance in the manse, so the Pegasus Knight trio would ambush the forces alongside Lloyd, Linus, and Legault. Vaida and Heath would escort Ike and Renault to the front gate to quickly teleport Ike using the Warp staff to Zephiel's room. There were to be no guards within the manse, leaving Prince Zephiel to be alone and defenseless.
"When we arrive at the front entrance, teleport ten paces North! Heath and I will divert the enemy's attention or clear the path for you to escort Prince Zephiel to safety!" She announced, while her wyvern, Umbriel, flew faster at the behest of her master. Heath followed suit, with Hyperion flapping his wings more quickly to match Umbriel's speed. Soon, they spotted the prince's manse, with the front entrance devoid of sentries. Fiora, Farina, and Florina would arrive with the old Fang at the back entrance.
"Damn it all... it's just like Murdock said. That fool really did deprive his heir of protection..." Her wyvern, Umbriel, then descended alongside Hyperion, with Ike and Renault dismounting off their wyverns in front of the door. Vaida rummaged through her belongings to obtain the keys lent to her by Murdock to the doors of the manse.
Renault readied the Warp staff, to transport Ike to the designated location ten paces ahead, where he should warp Ike to the Prince's room. He'd have to convince the prince or fight off the intruders. Vaida had to reluctantly agree to allow Ike to be teleported to avoid having Vaida engage with Nino and Jaffar, as the former was most likely to die from Vaida's rampage.
Warp
Ike looked at his surroundings only to find himself right outside the door to the Prince's room, within the eastern corner of the entrance. He realized he was teleported too short from his destination. Ike was about to enter until he held his breath the next moment, watching Jaffar and Nino run out of the room to the West side, unnoticed by the pair. His fear was at its peak, as he assumed the worst, and went inside after the pair left. There he saw the prince without visible wounds lying on the ground, with a strange orb surrounded by a dragon biting its own tail in front of him. He quickly checked to verify the safety of the Prince, realizing Zephiel was still breathing and only knocked out.
'He's still alive... but why did Nino and Jaffar leave him alive...? Could it be...?'
He had no time to ponder on the reason. Ike concluded that Jaffar abandoned the mission, no matter how unlikely it was. But based on them leaving Zephiel alive, along with what he assumed to be the Fire Emblem, they were no longer on Sonia's side.
Ike shook the unconscious Prince Zephiel to wake him but to no avail. Ike let out a deep breath and decided to do something so ridiculous as a 16-year-old. Taking off his and Zephiel's cape, he made a makeshift strap to resemble a baby's harness and tied the prince to his back while holding his legs. Just as he was ready to take off, he looked at the artifact on the ground and decided to pick it up, not noticing the Fire Emblem held a blue glow upon contact, alarming Yune within the vestiges of Ike's mind.
With the unconscious Prince Zephiel on his back and the Fire Emblem in his possession, he quickly peered outside in the direction where Nino and Jaffar went, seeing Jaffar was ready to defend Nino against people whom Ike assumed to be Sonia's cronies, with their weapons being brandished to engage in battle. Just as they were about to fight, he was discovered by the dark blue-haired valkyrie. From there, he had to run for his life while carrying the prince.
Ike could hear sounds of clashing from the North. He ran as fast as he could while carrying Zephiel on his back. He planned to head South to the front entrance where his group arrived...
"There he is! He has the prince on his back! Kill the prince! Leave the boy carrying him alive!" A Black Fang announced from the South.
On second thought, Ike wondered if he could use a sword while holding a boy near his age. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of something being thrown from right behind him. He looked behind him to see Jaffar having thrown a knife at the one who announced the location of the Prince to his comrades. Nino was also with him, holding her Elfire tome in hand while chanting.
ELFIRE
A large fireball came from above her and hit reinforcements that came from the South, causing a big explosion where two flames wisped themselves up into the air in the aftermath. Ike felt reassured that they were no longer out to kill the prince and protect him.
"Ugh... Ow..."
Sounds of groaning behind Ike could be heard. That... was probably not good.
"W-what is..." Zephiel muttered as he finally opened his eyes, only to find himself on the back of a spiky blue-haired boy around the same age as he carrying him. "What is the meaning of this!? L-let me go!"
Zephiel frantically struggled to get off what he assumed to be his kidnapper. He also realized that his cape was used to tie himself tightly to the one in front of him. Ike then halted his movement in an attempt to let Zephiel off his back.
"Just give me a moment! Let me untie our capes!" Ike exclaimed, only to halt the untying of his cape the next moment.
"Watch out!" Jaffar warned from behind him. Ike noticed a spark at his side and felt his hair stand on end. He quickly dashed to the side, surprising Zephiel who remained trapped on Ike's back.
BOLTING
Lighting struck where he and Zephiel stood a moment ago, leaving a slight crater on the floor. Zephiel became alarmed, realizing if he and the boy carrying him remained on the spot, he would have died. From a distance, Ursula was seen with a Bolting tome in hand, clicking her tongue at the sight of her target missing. The mercenary leader would probably have survived her spell, while only the prince would have died. That way, one of Sonia's goals could be accomplished.
Ike quickly ran ahead with the prince still strapped to him. Ursula huffed out in disappointment, realizing the element of surprise was no longer available to her. She switched to her Elfire tome and stared down at the pair of traitors.
Jaffar readied his blades as he stood against Ursula. "Nino! Run away with them! You'll be able to find your brothers with the blue-haired mercenary! I'll buy you time." He was resolved to fight against the sorceress and any that followed her.
"N-No! You must come, too, Jaffar!" Nino pleaded to Jaffar, who only shook his head.
"Nino… You must live. You are worthy of living. Go now while the prince is with that mercenary. They'll need your help, now hurry!" He urgently replied as he blocked the path of the Blue Crow. In the next moment, Jaffar ran towards Ursula with inhuman speed.
Nino tearfully saw off Jaffar and sprinted in the direction of Ike and Zephiel. Ursula chanted her tome in hand, to invoke its power.
ELFIRE
A ball of flame erupted above Ursula and launched itself in Jaffar's path, only for the man to shift to the side to avoid the blast. He paused his attack for a moment seeing the aftermath of the blast, seeing how it caused a larger crater than the Bolting spell she cast earlier. He narrowed his eyes at the Blue Crow to see an opening he could exploit, who snorted at the man's attempt to assess her.
"I cannot understand you. You serve perfection in the form of our masters. Yet you abandon such happiness?" Ursula inquired to the Angel of Death, whose expression remained blank, but with newfound defiant eyes.
He was arguably amongst the most valued of all the Four Fangs whom even Sonia acknowledged. More so than Ursula herself. Why risk it all for a brat whom Sonia despised?
"...I ensure that Nino lives. That's all." He replied curtly. He twirled his curved daggers and readied his stance. "... Here I come."
The pair stared off at one another. The Blue Crow and the Angel of Death were to fight to the death. However, Jaffar's eyes widened in surprise the next moment...
"Don't forget about me, Angel of Death."
"What!?" Ursula turned to the source of the voice behind her, only to receive a knife to her chest and one to her steed. Her eyes widened in horror as she fell off her horse while coughing out blood. "Uww... gaa... Hurricane..."
Her horse quickly fell from the fatal dagger projectile from the cleaner, neighing its last. Glaring at the man who had a few injuries on himself, but still walking towards the pair. She took a bad fall, unable to stand on her own, let alone be able to survive the dagger still plunged into her.
"I'd normally have nothing against you, Blue Crow. Then again, I find anyone blindly following that... thing to be rather offensive." Legault remarked as he walked to the horse's corpse and grabbed his dagger. He then turned in the opposite direction, where a bishop ran past the halls. "Thanks for the warp!"
Warping to Ursula's location and launching an ambush paid off. Jaffar remained staring at the man but still held his daggers. They were not out of danger just yet.
Ursula then attempted to invoke a spell from her tome, only for Legault to quickly plunge his knife into her throat, ending her attempt to counterattack, and the woman let out a small noise drowned out by blood welling in her throat. Her head fell back, dead with regret as her last expression. Taking his blades out of the woman's corpse, he turned to Jaffar with a raised eyebrow. The man in question still gave a blank stare towards Hurricane.
"Would it kill you to say something?" Legault attempted to converse with the fellow assassin, only to shake his head the next moment. "Wait, scratch that. Don't respond to me, I might get the shivers. You're still creepy."
Soon, heavy stomping and clanking of armor can be heard approaching them. The figure that came into view was a knight in purple armor.
"I was finally excused from being detained by His Majesty, as reports of the manse being infiltrated were reported." Murdock narrowed his eyes to the pair who were not hostile after putting away their daggers. "Now, where is Prince Zephiel?"
Ike remained running while carrying Zephiel, who resigned himself to staying on Ike's back until they were out of harm's way. They couldn't stop to untie themselves off from one another.
"Sorry I had to do this, but you wouldn't wake up!" Ike apologized to the prince, who paid the lack of manner from the mercenary no mind.
"It's fine... but who are you?" Zephiel queried to Ike.
"Ike of the Greil Mercenaries." Zephiel raised his eyebrows at the answer from the boy who was almost as old as him. "Murdock kinda hired me to protect you."
Zephiel heard of the Greil Mercenaries in passing, how they wiped out the Taliver Bandits and assisted villagers with clearing ruffians from towns where lords held no power over them. This led to bandits running amok, terrorizing civilians until they were struck down by this small group of mercenaries who even gave funds to struggling villagers at times instead of demanding pay.
He heard from villagers who spoke to him that the leader was only just slightly older than him, 16. He would be of the same age by the time his coming-of-age ceremony takes place. To think the boy who was carrying him would be the same commander who led a mercenary group.
Ike continued running, spotting Nino beside him probably to defend against anyone who stood in their path. But she looked worried, as he quickly assumed Jaffar stayed behind to fend off enemies behind them. Luckily, there was a lack of enemies blocking them and the sounds of battle were slowly diminishing. It was safe to assume reinforcements came from the Lycian army and the rest of the Greil Mercenaries. Once they've reached some of their troops, they could quickly assist Jaffar.
"If you're here... while Murdock is nowhere to be found along with none of my attendants or guards... That means only one person could have sent them away..." Zephiel muttered as trembled behind Ike's back. Ike couldn't see his expression, but he could tell he was distraught. "I-it seems like I can't prove myself to the most important person in my life..."
He devoted himself to statesmanship, combat, falconry, and many other skills to make himself worthy of his father. He didn't care as much for the throne, only craving affection and acceptance from his father. If he wanted him dead, what was the point of everything, even living?
"Shut up!" Ike's sudden outburst exasperated Zephiel and even Nino, who looked horrified at Ike. Even she knew that royal family members were to be treated with the utmost respect. And telling a prince to shut up is not one of them.
"Worry about that later! Find another reason to keep moving forward!"
Zephiel was shocked by the boy's words against him, and soon his expression turned to anger.
"What do you know!?" He retorted as he gripped tightly onto Ike's back in anger, but Ike paid it no mind as he continued running in the manse. "I've worked my entire life to be accepted by my father. To avoid embarrassing him. To have him look at me with pride. I want him to be proud of me and accept me for who I am! So what do you know of my struggles!?"
Nino empathized with the prince on a personal level, but she couldn't find it in herself to respond to the one she originally attempted to assassinate. Only to hear a reply once again from the one next to her.
"...I do," Ike responded which snapped Zephiel from his anger. "Although our parents are incomparable to one another, I still want to grow to be a mercenary that my father, Greil, can be proud of. To this day, I think of my father as the most powerful mercenary and the best warrior I know. I want to meet his expectations. And it's not just him I want to impress, I have friends. People I consider family to the point where I want to prove myself worthy to protect them. That's why I'll fight alongside my family, and I'll bleed with them. If I can't fight to my last breath, I have no right to lead, let alone protect the Greil Mercenaries who need me."
Ike was reminded of a time when his father's skills were the greatest he'd ever seen. His mind flickering to before his mother died, he witnessed his father's prowess that even impressed Titania, who sparred with his father. He knew that Greil's current skills were not as impressive as his heyday. But he was still a proud mercenary whose strength and charisma brought loyal men under his command.
Nino thought of her stepfamily who adored her. Who gave her affection when her mother would not. Even the assassin whose heart was warmed by her presence. She wanted to become stronger to protect them one day. And to answer to the woman who she believed to have birthed her.
Ike knew not all parents were as decent as his father. That much was certain. At the very least, he wanted Zephiel and even Nino, that they could continue knowing there were still people present in their lives.
"Moreover, there are people who need you. People who love you! Who are willing to risk their lives for you! That alone is enough should be enough to keep moving forward! So don't even think about your efforts being wasted!" Ike exclaimed as he went further North where the battle seemed to have ceased.
Zephiel thought of his mother, Murdock, and even his beloved sister, Guinivere. At the very least, they needed him.
"Well said, couldn't have said it better myself."
"Agreed, so let's continue forward, shall we?"
Two separate voices called out to the trio, with two figures emerging from the North entrance. Nino recognized the source of the voices and saw the pair who were in their path with tears in her eyes.
"Lloyd! Linus!" She called out as she ran to the Reed brothers who were slightly injured. She jumped into their arms as they raised their arms to catch her.
"Ow..." Linus uttered as he stroked the head of his little sister who tightly hugged him and Lloyd. "It's good to see you, Nino."
"Yeah... we were so worried for you..." Lloyd added while embracing Nino.
"Reinforcements came finally... no one died despite us being outnumbered..." Linus slurred as he finally had a closer look at Ike, who was still piggybacking Zephiel. "The hell are you doing!?" Even Lloyd saw the display and became stupefied by it.
Soon, they could hear heavy footsteps and lighter footsteps while the clanking of armor resounded from the South of their current location. The flapping of wyvern wings came their way from the West. Vaida and Heath emerged from the West while Murdock with infantrymen emerged from the South. It seemed as though they finished off the remaining forces.
"Prince Zephiel! We've... what is the meaning of this!?" Murdock exclaimed while he stood aghast of Ike carrying Zephiel. Vaida, Heath, and fellow soldiers under Murdock's command were bewildered by the display.
"I knew I should have come warped to the Prince instead of you! Now you humiliate the prince with this! Release him, Ike of the Greil Mercenaries!" Vaida demanded from Ike while Heath wanted to calm his commander down.
"C-commander Vaida, please..." Heath pleaded.
Ike was stunned when everyone saw him still carrying Zephiel. Even Zephiel found himself ashamed with embarrassment, but he remained silent the entire time since Ike's speech. Ike finally let down Zephiel's legs, trying to untie the knots.
"Long story... Just need to untie this... got it." With one final untied knot, both of their capes were freed. Both of them were finally separated, with Zephiel shaking off his legs after going through the ordeal on Ike's back. Murdock quickly went to the side of Zephiel.
"My liege. Thank goodness you are well." Murdock spoke with relief as he and his fellow soldiers bowed before the Prince, even Vaida and Heath. Luckily, he did not comment further on the subject of the Prince being carried.
It took a moment before Zephiel regained his composure and responded: "I am thankful for your concern, Murdock. You've done well to hire these men to protect me." He then turned to Ike who scratched his head. "The mercenary commander who carried me when I was wounded deserves much thanks."
A little bit of a white lie, but not too far off the mark. Now it was time for a lie of his own. He brought out the Fire Emblem from his pocket, astounding Zephiel and Murdock.
"You should also thank those two for this." Ike pointed to Heath and Vaida, who became awestruck by Ike's sudden action. "Those two helped find this artifact from the assassins. Got it when they fought off the enemy and handed it to me."
Just as Vaida and Heath were about to object, Murdock stared at the pair and shook his head, keeping them from speaking the truth. He could use this as an excuse to pardon and help bring the pair back into Bern's military. Even the King will not be able to prevent the saviors of the Prince as well as the ones who recovered the Imperial Seal of Bern from regaining their honor.
"I thank you both for bringing back the Fire Emblem. As well as defending me." Zephiel thanked the pair, who were still prostrating before the heir. He then turned to Ike. "Now then, I believe you have your comrades to attend to, do you not?" He gestured to the mercenary commander to leave to check on his men.
Ike smiled and nodded, despite the lack of manners displayed by himself.
"I do. I'll see myself out." He headed to the exit where Lloyd, Linus, and Nino had already exited the premises while everyone was preoccupied with Prince Zephiel.
As Ike went out the door, he saw everyone present either recovering wounds by Renault or fellow stave users using a Fortify staff or dealing with the enemy bodies. Lyn stood up as she saw Ike after everyone had won the battle. Even though soldiers were present, Murdock had everyone aware that they were all mercenaries hired by him.
"I'm glad everyone is alright. But what about Nino and her brothers?" Ike queried to Lyn, who then sported a reluctant look.
"You see..." Lyn voiced out.
Upon closer examination, Eliwood, Hector, Legault, and Matthew were also absent. Right... of course. Jaffar.
"Take me to them. We might need to mediate things. Also..." Ike held a livid expression which alarmed Lyn. "He has a lot to owe to me for after what he put me and Zephiel through..."
Forget the fact he warned Ike of a Bolting spell. He had to go through hell within that short time with the prince because of him. He swore Vaida and Murdock were ready to put him at lance-point.
"Why do you not kill me?"
Jaffar had two people present who held deathly glares towards him in the forest not far from the manse. While Nino stood worried alongside her brothers. Linus raised his single eyebrow while Lloyd held a patient expression.
Matthew was the one who stepped forward with his hand on his dagger. "Oh, I'd want nothing more than to kill you... If you're offering, I might just take it up." Hector also stepped up and added: "Likewise, Matthew. I want to draw first blood. You get the finishing blow."
Nino wanted to get between them but had herself stopped by Lloyd, who put his hand on her shoulders and shook his head. It was then that Eliwood decided to interject.
"That's enough, Hector... Matthew." Eliwood spoke as he stepped in front of them.
"Eliwood! He helped kill your father! He also killed Leila!" Hector pointed to Jaffar. "Do you really want to let this man go, after all he's done!?"
Matthew gripped his dagger tightly, and his murderous intentions were as clear as day. But the assassin remained stoic in his expression.
"He didn't take Prince Zephiel's life, and he protected the Reed brothers' sister," Eliwood explained, hoping to pacify the pair. He then turned to Jaffar with a sense of reluctance. "Some sins cannot be forgiven, but now… We need all the help we can get to defeat Nergal."
Jaffar shook his head, astounded by Eliwood's lack of apprehension towards himself. "So naive. Do you know how many of your friends I've killed?" His response garnered frustration from the trio, while Eliwood was more exasperated, Hector and Matthew were more murderous.
Lloyd let out a sigh and closed his eyes while Linus was looking at Jaffar as if he'd grown a new head, wondering if he had a death wish. Just as Lloyd was about to step in to appease his anxious sister, someone called out to Jaffar the next moment.
"You're right, you can't be forgiven. If death is what you want, then I'm not going to let it happen on my watch." Ike added as he arrived with Lyn. Everyone turned their heads to him. "If you feel any remorse or regret, it doesn't make any difference to the people around me. But if you want to have the girl you protected to feel at ease, then this is your last chance to start rectifying your mistakes."
Jaffar turned to the mercenary commander and nodded: "…If you want me to… I will…do it."
Nino beamed in happiness while the pair who wanted to kill the man scoffed. Lloyd and Linus gave a curious look to the mercenary leader.
"You really want to welcome this man, Ike?" Matthew spoke with disapproval in his tone, to which Ike snorted and shook his head. It was then everyone gave an odd look towards him.
"Oh no, because if he's going to be working with anyone, he's going to be in debt to me, and therefore under my command..." Ike answered promptly, confusing everyone present. The next moment, he patted the shoulder of Jaffar and continued: "I'm not going to spend my time preaching against him. Besides, I already have one man neck deep in debt who needs to clean up after his messes like you (Renault), so what's one more? By the way, that good knockout you gave Zephiel made me stick to him for a while..."
It was then that Lloyd and Linus realized what happened when they saw Ike carrying Zephiel. It was a humiliating experience for both him and the prince. One that Vaida or Murdock were ready to spear Ike had Zephiel not minded it much. Jaffar wanted to say something but somehow couldn't find it in himself to refute it.
Although Ike didn't blame Nino, Jaffar effectively just left Zephiel right in the middle of the floor without any protection or precautionary measures. Although they never anticipated Ursula arriving, they should have at least locked the door on their way out. Nino then felt partially responsible for somewhat being complicit on that note, and would likely assist Jaffar to pay off his debt.
"From all that work you put me and the others through, along with the fact that you assisted Nergal in being a huge threat, I'd say you are in for the long haul, friend. Payment will be deducted from your wages, which you'll be working for free for a while. So don't even think about leaving the company. I trust you'll do your best." He then patted the back of Jaffar and left the vicinity, leaving everyone dumbfounded by his forced contract.
What did Jaffar do to Ike personally to make him livid? Matthew and Hector resigned themselves to Ike ensuring Jaffar goes through hard labor, at the very least.
"I-Ike?" Lyn called out, turning to the Reed family as Lloyd and Linus began to snicker while Nino had nervous chuckling. "What happened with Ike and the Prince?"
"Long story... hahaha..." Lloyd chuckled to himself. Everyone else remained confused save for Jaffar, who remained still with a blank expression. However, his sharp senses made him turn his head to a new visitor.
"Lloyd. Linus." Legault called out as he walked into the vicinity. Everyone turned to the assassin who interrupted the mood. "Blue Crow's body. It wasn't among the ones we've gathered."
It was then everyone looked worried, save for Jaffar, who had an inkling of what happened. If she had good quintessence, Ursula's body would be taken for harvesting. They were too preoccupied with the reinforcements and finishing off the remaining forces to realize her body was gone.
Nino remained confused as to what Legault was referring to. As she looked at her brothers, as they looked distraught at being reminded of such an experience. What's more, if they had to face their father again...
Although the others had not encountered the reanimated body of Uhai, they were informed along the way. Morphs were indeed strong, and the ones based on people were all the more painful to deal with.
Legault sighed and shook his head. "We might have to face her again. Be prepared. At the very least, she left behind a staff found with her horse. It will come in handy when it comes to valuable weapons."
Ursula had a Hammerne staff in her possession. It was amongst the most valuable staves for its ability to replenish tomes and make weapons as good as new. Nevertheless, they've looted a good amount of things from the enemy back at the base and after the battle in the manse. Some gems (blue and white), promotional items (Hero Crest, Elysian Whip, Earth Seal, and Guiding Ring), 2 talismans, 2 Bolting tomes, and that's not including the rewards from Murdock. One of his men gave the company new boots, a brave lance, Rescue staff, and a Delphi Shield. A nifty blessed tool that protects fliers from arrows and alike. In other words, very good items were either rewarded or spoils of war.
"Nino," Linus called out to her with a concerned expression. "We need to tell you everything."
Interlude: New Land, Familiar Kin
"Fae is so glad you're coming fishing with Fae, Kurthnaga!" Fae spoke happily as she walked to the reef alongside the Goldoan Prince, who nodded to her with a smile.
This time, they brought appropriate fishing gear that could be used for the sea. Gareth was on standby, supervising the pair as they were to fish.
'I wonder what other dragons are like from Fae's homeland? I'd like to meet them.' Kurthnaga thought to himself. 'And to think she's older than I...'
He pondered on how different Fae was from Goldoan dragons. While they may be the longest-living species, Fae grows at a much slower rate than himself and many others. But he shook his head at such thoughts, it wasn't polite to ask for a young lady's age, and Fae certainly wanted to be treated like one. Perhaps a mutation or evolved form of their species had occurred where Fae lived. He would treat his guest with respect and accompany the girl wherever she goes within Goldoa. It was a sort of happy kind of trouble he and his attendants experienced as if he was the one who was undergoing what his fellow siblings had gone through with himself.
Unbeknownst to the group, a pair of ravens hid behind a rock from a distance, spying on what they believed to be bird-tribe laguz.
"Ugh... more fishing..." "Maybe the prince will talk about something interesting. Maybe he'll be a better fisher than that girl at least."
"I wonder why you two want to spy on a little laguz and Prince Kurthnaga..." A voice called out quietly from behind them. The pair slowly creaked their heads to see the Hawk King, along with his eyes and ears behind him.
"K-King Tibarn, what brings you here?" One raven laguz nervously asked.
"That should be my question. Why are you two snooping around my waters? Did Naesala put you up to this?" Tibarn asked, or rather, demanded an answer from the pair. The hawks looked at the pair, ready to sink their talons into their cousins if the answer was not satisfactory.
When they saw the little girl with Kurthnaga, they assumed she was just a guest (despite how isolationist the country was even towards other laguz species). They surmised Kurthnaga convinced his father to temporarily allow the child to stay for the time being. It was none of their business...
Just as the raven corsairs were about to answer, Janaff called out to his king.
"Your Highness! I see the Prince and little one dropping their gear! They're running towards... a woman!?"
The rest of the group turned their attention to the pair running towards an unconscious woman with long white hair. With Janaff's keen eyesight, he could tell the woman was not a beorc based on her ears, which were pointed. Ulki focused his hearing.
Suddenly, the little girl they observed revealed her wings to quickly fly to the woman's side, widening the eyes of the Hawks present. White wings? With teal at the end? And their shape was tail-like...
They turned to the raven laguz present, narrowing their eyes at the pair, who gulped at having been discovered. This was also Goldoan territory, so there was no business for Hawks to inquire more about the situation directly without consent. Whatever was happening was also not their business. With Kurthnaga's disposition, the woman they found along with what they assumed to be a bird-tribe laguz (maybe Heron royal) was safe.
"Let's speak elsewhere, shall we?" Tibarn announced.
The hawks present were stronger and faster than both of the ravens. Only their raven king could be a match for them. For now, they had to heed the words of the King of Phoenicis. Tibarn would have to ask for a formal greeting from King Dheginsea to inquire more about the little girl with magenta hair.
With that, they flew off into their kingdom, with two prisoners to interrogate.
"My liege!" Gareth exclaimed while following his prince. Some of the sentries also came with him while the others went to notify the king.
Fae already flew to the side of the woman in a purple dress with yellow trim. Concern was evident in her expression as she hoped she wasn't hurt. As Kurthnaga came to the side of their newest visitor, he gasped at the unconscious woman upon closer examination.
She was beautiful, with thin lips, and the front of her hair held in two bands. She looked delicate, with unblemished skin, and a lovely countenance that made Kurthnaga heart skip a beat. But he quickly snapped out of his thoughts.
'This is not the time to appreciate her beauty! She needs our assistance!' Kurthnaga thought to himself, but his ears that turned red expressed otherwise.
"Mm... ha..." The woman mumbled to herself, somewhat regaining consciousness.
"Big sister? Are you OK?" Fae asked with an innocent expression. The woman was breathing heavily as her eyes opened slightly, her purple right eye and the other being green were conveyed to the two looking at her with concern.
"Get her some water! And some medical supplies! Hurry!" Kurthnaga ordered his attendants, who saluted. "You'll be OK. You will recover soon!"
"Who... Who...?" She uttered. Their auras seemed familiar.
Fellow dragons...? But the concern they felt for her... it felt somewhat familiar to her.
She could feel a warm breeze while hearing soft words once again... She hoped such an experience continued when she awakens...
She dreamed of seeing that girl in a yellow dress in that forest once again. One that illuminated the darkness within her with a blue flame and finally awakened her away from that empty dream... And to thank the pair who looked at her with worry.
Athos stood up from his seat, having observed the recent events from his scrying crystal. Other fellow elders looked at Athos's alarmed state. They assumed this was also a fellow dragon, not exactly the laguz they'd seen thus far...
"No... it couldn't be... How!?" Athos muttered.
How did the seal they set at the Dragon Temple break? How did the girl arrive in this Tellius within Goldoa? Could it be...
It was then that one elder recognized the woman in the crystal. She was originally amongst the Divine Dragons until she was captured by fellow dragons and corrupted into a Demon Dragon...
"Athos... this girl...? I thought you and your cohorts sealed her away. What happened?"
Fellow elders looked at Athos, one of the legendary heroes of Elibe. Despite being one of the people who fought against their kind, he nevertheless played a part in granting them sanctuary. Alongside that Nergal...
'The Seal... Did he touch it?' Athos thought to himself as he stroked his beard.
The active spell formula on Ike anchoring him to Elibe and connected to Yune may have caused Ike to unknowingly resonate with the Fire Emblem. The Binding Blade and Fire Emblem were used in conjunction to seal the Demon Dragon away. If he came into contact with one of them, it may have been enough to break the seal and teleport the girl to where Fae was. Especially a place that housed a girl and Prince with strong desires to make an impact on the world or history.
That would explain her appearance in Tellius. The real question is... would she be an issue? When Athos and his comrades found the girl, staring blankly, her soul was already destroyed by her people... They were prepared to fight to the death until Hartmut took pity on the girl. Hartmut convinced Athos and the others to let her live. To some extent, he felt Hartmut's decision to go through with sealing her to be correct after having found Arcadia.
But she was in Tellius within the country of dragons with Fae. She no longer has a master to follow after they've killed the leader. The Demon Dragon was free and surrounded by dragon laguz less likely to take advantage of her.
As he pondered on his thoughts, another figure emerged as seen within the crystal, approaching the group of laguz and Fae. Athos's eyes widened as feelings of dread welled within himself, as he recognized the figure in question.
'Why did THAT man have to come with her!? He was supposed to be dead! Did he survive!?'
Yune stood in the forest rubbing her head as she was dizzy.
"No. I refuse to split my consciousness once again. Fae will just have to watch over her... and that man... They're dragons after all, they should get along, right...?" She muttered as she continued to rub her head.
Yune pondered as she thought of that one dragon without a soul. What barbarism was done against that girl?
Yune couldn't stand seeing that girl without a soul, so she did what she could to restore it. She used too much energy. Whatever happens in the future, she may not be able to help Ike as she did at the Gate. It would have to be of his own efforts...
She looked into the fake sky constructed by the vestiges of Ike's mind.
"I hope you don't come into contact with any more important artifacts... or get involved in powerful teleportation spells. Please."
At least she got a good laugh at Ike carrying someone almost as old as him...
A lone man stood barefoot before what he believed to be his fellow brethren. With short-length red hair parted hairstyle right in the middle, along with matching eyes and robes. He had tattoos on both his hands and chest.
He breathed in the air, it was suitable. He could feel the wounds he sustained since the war a millennia ago recovering at a much higher rate. Moreover, in this new setting, he could once again feel his original power flowing through his veins. He barely needed his gemstone to conserve power (but he would do so just as a precaution). He wondered if the forces of nature had been rejuvenated since humans used those weapons...
"Who are you?" Kurthnaga called out to the man who appeared before them. He and his fellow dragons became wary of the sudden visitor, unlike the unconscious woman before them.
They somehow knew instinctively that this man was of their kind...
"Greetings, brethren." As he spoke, he revealed wings of flame sprouting out from behind him. Kurthnaga and his attendants were awestruck at the display by their newest visitor. "Has our species emerged victorious against the humans over the past millennia? I sense far more of our kind from a distance."
'So this man was another laguz, another dragon variant like Fae?' Kurthnaga and many others present with him thought to themselves. Moreover, a thousand years? Not even Dheginsea was a millennia-year-old. A thousand years was the maximum estimated lifespan for a dragon laguz unless you were blessed by the Goddess.
Fae looked at the man with curiosity, wondering if he came from Arcadia. She didn't understand what he said, however. Likewise, Jahn took a glance at the girl, realizing she was a divine dragon. And the Demon Dragon was there before him, tended by her kind.
"By humans, if you mean beorc, they still exist in countries to the North and East of us. You are within the Kingdom of Goldoa, home of the dragon laguz." Kurthnaga responded, which brought a curious expression to their newest visitor.
'Beorc? Was that a new term for humans? And laguz...?' The fire dragon thought to himself. There was an increasing number of dragons within the vicinity and not far from their position on this reef. A plentiful number as he noticed the young dragon did not lie. An entire kingdom of their species...
More than enough for their species to be dominant and prevail against the human/beorc as they called it in this new era he found himself in.
"And a war of our species has not broken out?" The man remarked, alarming the dragons present, but he paid it no mind. He then shook his head. "No matter, with our numbers and the Demon Dragon, we can once again have hope against humanity before they can craft more of their infernal tools."
Just as Kurthnaga was about to object, he heard footsteps from behind him.
"There will be none of that, visitor..." Dheginsea declared before the fire dragon. He narrowed his eyes at the mysterious man and the one his son was tending to. They were fellow dragons...
Dheginsea realized a part of Yune was within the white-haired woman, like Fae. Although there was no trace of Yune within the man... Why were there so many dragon visitors coming to their kingdom?
The fire dragon raised a curious eyebrow at what he assumed to be the monarch of the dragon kingdom. This dragon arguably held the greatest power of them all. He could tell that his power could reign supreme over the dragons he knew in their heyday, even the Demon Dragon. Even before the laws of nature began to collapse when humans began using their weapons. Why does he not reign over humanity with such strength? With such numbers of their brethren and his power, why have they not conquered as the dominant species?
He doubted it had anything to do with coexistence. Humans and dragons cannot live in harmony. There was too much of a gap in their species to fill. For the survival of their race, the other have to be driven off or eliminated. It was a matter of necessity for either side according to his logic.
"Now then, reveal your identity, stranger," Dheginsea demanded from the fire dragon. Everyone faced the fellow dragon, expecting an answer. In the next moment, Fae raised her hand.
"If you're scared of introducing yourself, then Fae will do it first! Fae's name is Fae! What's your name?" Fae spoke out happily, to which the fire dragon snorted at her first sentence. Dheginsea sighed at the display from Fae.
A young divine dragon, he felt she was not needed at this time with such strength and numbers from this kingdom of dragons.
"Very well." He gestured a bow to the dragons who kept their human forms. "I am Jahn, a fire dragon."
Jahn turned to the girl they were tending to. The Demon Dragon he and his fellow dragons kidnapped. The very girl whose soul was destroyed by them as a matter of necessity for their race. Morality and emotions did not matter for the preservation of their species.
"The girl you hold is considered the hope of our race... at least where we originate. The Demon Dragon, Idunn. A fellow divine dragon like Fae."