Chapter 1: Pirates Aground
"This can't be..." A terrified brigand with a bare upper body with nothing but cross suspenders uttered out. The bandit, Ikanau, was visibly shaken to his knees from what he witnessed on his way to the bandit hideout.
In front of him were corpses of his fellow bandits strewn about on the road and forest. Their throats were slashed open causing blood to spill onto the ground. As far as he could tell, all of his men were dead and feeding the crows.
He quickly took out his weapon while he shivered in fear. Against all logic, he trailed the path to the shack where his group's base was while constantly shifting his head to observe his surroundings.
As he finally reached his base, he widened his eyes in horror at the sight of more corpses on the hill leading up to the shack. It was as if a hurricane had hit them...
The door to their base was already opened and he could hear footsteps coming towards the exit. Ikanau foolheartedly gripped his axe tighter as he removed all common sense to escape his ordeal. The unknown assailant stepped into the light and in front of Ikanau's eyes was a man with long silver hair that was slicked back with a black headband tied around his forehead. He held an unsettling smile and possessed two scars over the left side of his face. In his hands was a knife dripping in blood while his dark attire had no signs of skirmish.
"My... we thieves catch people off-guard, poison them, or take hostages..." Legault listed nonchalantly in a carefree tone. He then raised an eyebrow while keeping his smirk towards the visibly shaken bandit before him. "But what compels you to not run at the sight of your comrades all dead...? Hey, what's that look? I'm just a weakling, I didn't do all this..."
Legault was just a lone man, after all. He didn't appear strong whatsoever in front of his foes. However, Ikanau didn't buy his lies.
Ikanau gritted his teeth and raised his axe. He would avenge his comrades like he originally planned after the incident in Caldea.
"Haaaaaaa!" The ruffian let out a war cry and rushed towards the intruder. Legault twirled his knife and readied his weapon, only to snort the next moment.
His would-be assailant froze as an arrow was now lodged in between his eyes with the arrowhead going through in front of his face pierced through the back of the skull. The bandit fell sideways without a word with his eyes opened. A fatal shot that could only be done by two people but Legault couldn't hear the galloping of a horse. He then waved in the direction of where the arrow was shot.
"Thanks for the save! I don't think I could have fought fair there!" Legault cheerfully called out.
A red-haired archer clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes in the sea of trees. "Wyvern shit..." He muttered, not buying Legault's act.
After killing all those bandits by himself, the sniper knew that Legault could have easily taken care of the brigand in front of him. From what Shinon could tell, this assassin was in the same league as Jaffar and the cohorts that were Nino's brothers. In fact, he had a hunch that Legault knew he was being watched.
He stalked the assassin committing his rampage against the bandits that dared to spy on the young ones, namely Rolf, Mist, and Nils. Nils tipped off to the company that he spotted some rough-looking individuals peeking at them. It was likely due to the good job that was done in Caldea where Ike led a one-sided slaughter of the bandits that dared to threaten the village and its citizens. No property was left in ruins along with the majority of townsfolk safe. The self-proclaimed nomads of the plains proved themselves to be no joke (as well as the shy pegasus knight)...
The remnant bandits were intending to take hostages in retaliation similarly to the incident that happened a couple of months ago. Now history's repeated itself with Legault committing a similar act as Jaffar, the man whom Shinon held the most wariness towards.
"Tell Ike I said hi!" Legault called out in a friendly tone, making Shinon grimace in response to the request to relay a message to Ike. "Send my regards to his father as well! No need for thanks!"
With that, Legault ran to the sea of trees leaving Shinon to the mess left behind. He was busy, after all.
His last words and actions made Shinon contemplate firing an arrow in the direction of the silver-haired assassin... Shinon sighed at the mess he had to deal with. Now he was stuck with looting and cadaver duty... Looks like he wasn't going to attend a mission with Gatrie and the deputy commander...
Unbeknownst to Shinon, Legault's friendly visage was quickly replaced with an urgent expression as he went his way.
"We need them all to prepare... and fast..." He muttered with a grave expression.
It was urgent, and he took the task of dealing with the remnant bandits that were spying on the company. He didn't know if the brigands were hired by certain unsavory entities. That's why he hunted down and interrogated the bandits that dared to threaten the young ones from the company. For now, he had to regroup with the others who should be on their way to the company or helping civilians escape.
"I just hope they managed to lead the refugees and civilians away."
If what Sophia warned was true, then they need all the assistance they can get. If not, prepare to search for the Davros to leave Tellius. No matter how skilled they were, there was no place for this war for them... That's why he needed to contact Ike, who would immediately know how to respond to Sophia's prediction which was at the mercy of skepticism from veteran members of the Greil Mercenaries. All Ike had to do was convince the company to make a favorable decision to preserve themselves and the people around them like they've always had.
Knowing Lloyd and Linus, they would do their best to assist civilians in making sure they left the capital safely. Now he had to ensure Anna and the rest of the companies could leave Crimea in one piece.
As Legault mulled over the matter and ran as fast as he could, the sounds of flapping wings from a distance interrupted his thoughts. His eyes widened as he looked above and saw a familiar pegasus knight and her steed carrying someone. The identity of the pair confirmed one thing...
"Not good..." Legault uttered with a sense of dread in his tone. He quickly turned back to the direction where Shinon was and ran.
"I see..." Greil muttered as he saw the message written to him at his desk. "A potential territory dispute with Begnion... they'll likely start in Telgam..."
Daein was always a nation focused on military participation and might, but their recent mobilization made him notably wary. He received hints months before but this matter was getting out of hand. He was in contact with the "Fireman" often since his son's return, he was informed that the country was beginning more drills and rapid recruitment of soldiers. The high conscription rate of able-bodied men in his country of birth made him raise his brows.
He had doubts that Daein would start a war with Crimea. Because of the friendly relations between Gallia and Crimea, one could assume Daein was preparing to invade Crimea under some anti-Laguz pretense. But without a formal declaration or permission from Begnion to begin some sort of sanctions towards Crimea, Greil could assume that they would attempt to attack the territory of Telgam and begin their conquest eastward and potentially begin a war despite the military might of Begnion as a whole. He had informed Titania not too long ago of this matter, so they assumed Crimea would not be attacked.
"But with that man... there's no telling where he would start..." Greil muttered with his eyes narrowed.
Greil was familiar with the ruler of Daein and knew he was far too unpredictable in his intentions. All Greil knew was that nothing good would come from Ashnard in power. After all, the man's actions are what led Greil, formerly known as Gawain, to abandon his title as an elite general and country.
He took his fiancé and left Daein many years ago where they settled in Gallia. All the while he upheld the promise of keeping safe the entrusted item that his wife treasured and knew she had to protect. Moreover, there were other pressing matters...
Ike's account of the events was told to his father three months ago... He wasn't just sent beyond the Desert of Death or outside of Tellius. He was sent to another world...
Greil knew his son was no liar, and he believed that Ike was taken to another world where all the people that came from Elibe originated from. Everything made sense based on all the differing cultures, religions, and values. The reason why Ike couldn't have come back to Tellius was also the explanation for what happened to the dragon girl who indirectly informed the company of Ike's whereabouts. After all, you need to have some special ritual, strange phenomenon, or artifact to be able to cross worlds.
He saw every profile from the book given by the Archsage Athos and Anna, the merchant. Anna being a seer of history and worlds made him narrow his eyes but he would reserve his judgment. Moreover, Nils and his sister that was listed in one of the pages of the book were dragons... and the blue gemstone he saw from time to time in the former's hands was a way to assist in their transformation like certain Laguz bands and stones. Moreover, their father being the human sorcerer who summoned Ike made him more surprised. By Laguz and Beorc logic, they should not be able to transform at all.
Greil kept an open mind about the entire matter. He was the first in Tellius to hear Ike's personal account of the truth of his disappearance. The rest of the company (save for Mist, perhaps) was less likely to believe them unless they witnessed everything first-hand to prove Ike's events to be true.
"I can't help but think... how will my son and the people he came with will affect our land...?"
Certain people like Nils and the girl named Sophia were likely to receive huge controversy for not being among the Branded. If it was a matter of difference across worlds, that was the plausible explanation except for the fact that the majority of the continent was not going to believe that there were other worlds out there or dragons that are not considered Laguz.
At any rate, many of the people Ike was acquainted with were competent. Greil had no room to criticize his son for associating with assassins (who were formerly a group dedicated to eliminating corrupt nobles and helping the people, save for Jaffar). If Ike could trust them, so did Greil (despite several attempts to probe and vet them through "Fireman").
Oscar, Boyd, Rhys, Gatrie, and Guy were out on their own mission. Meanwhile, his son and the rest of the members left on a quest to clear the pirates at Port Talma who were not as friendly as the Davros. Speaking of the Davros...
"I half-expected Caineghis and his retainers to be cordial with them but to this extent... To think they spent a little over a month in Gallia..." Greil said with astonishment in his voice as he looked over another correspondence from Gallia. It finally arrived after several months since the Davros's arrival.
The Davros rooted out rival pirates that dared to threaten Gallia's coast and made fast friends with the Beast tribe. They've drunk and feasted with Caineghis and his retainers (despite some reluctance to do so), making the goal of drinking with Laguz royals achieved partially. There were some concerns and troubles along the way, but they got along just fine...
"Hahaha... Sure enough..." Greil chuckled to himself as he read the letter with a smile. "An otherworldly goal and effort achieved to some extent. To think Ike made friends with a pirate group like this... If only all pirates and people were like the Davros..."
Still, the Davros could have easily requested to be invited by Goldoa to address some matters regarding Fae, the girl that was accidentally sent to Goldoa (which was partially the fault of Ike according to the boy himself). But the crew and captain declined, hoping to meet with the rest of the Laguz nation on their own terms. In other words, they wished to sail to their nations even at the peril of the bird tribe Laguz that scoured the South Sea. At best, the crew wanted the Laguz nations informed to expect the Davros at their borders.
No doubt Caineghis was clarified on some matters but wasn't informed of Ike and the people from Elibe coming from another world. Based on the context from the letter he received, the Davros merely recounted the tale of Ike and his efforts to make a voyage back to Tellius a reality with their crew as their escorts as well as giving some clarification on certain details about Elibe. It was likely everyone assumed it was land that was left untouched by the flood. The Beast King even requested Greil to once again meet his son and his newly betrothed who had just last month turned the same age as her beloved.
"Still... if they departed two months ago... they might have reached Goldoa or the other Laguz nations by now..." Greil muttered out.
It was a stretch, but it could be possible for the Davros to enter Goldoa out of Dart's familiarity with Fae. It was said that the dragon child met Ike and the pirate in a place called the Nabata Desert right before she was transported to Tellius. Possible, but still unlikely...
The bird corsairs that scoured the seas would likely be the most difficult to convince (save for King Dheginsea who was said by Caineghis to be adamant on neutrality and isolation). By now, the Davros should have reached one or some of the Laguz nations' territory. Based on the letter, Caineghis already obliged the request from the Davros to inform the Laguz nations of their arrival to their countries.
Greil stared at the book that belonged to Ike. He saw the familiar Beast King as well as the other Laguz royals, one of whom included a surviving Heron. Even Greil wasn't aware that there were survivors, let alone a surviving prince. He knew of all of the Laguz Royals but never met them like Caineghis.
"This sorcerer... what was his plan...?" Greil muttered under his breath.
Caineghis took no offense to receiving a book with detailed information about the various Laguz profiled. However, the same standard cannot be set for the other Laguz rulers. This could lead to a conflict with the Davros, who have yet to state their current whereabouts. They were going to deliver books that held sensitive information and profiles of various Laguz. Why this supposed powerful sorcerer decided to have them all given to each Laguz country instead of just his son, he will never know.
Speaking of deliveries, he then turned to look at another letter left for his son by the former assassin named Legault. Greil sent Shinon to watch and help Legault from the shadows after the latter delivered the letter right after his son went to fulfill his tasks. But based on the spy's uneasy look in his eyes, there was a sense of urgency. There were times when his eyes shifted to make sure no one else was listening. He even decided to take the task of eliminating remnant bandits even though Greil and some of his men could have handled it.
The one who warned the company of bandits was Nils, who also decided to assist his son on his mission. He could still remember the look of exasperation on his daughter's face when Ike's group was to include Nils...
"Hey! No fair!" Mist's face was pouting as her cheeks puffed up in anger. "I want to fight too!"
Maybe when his daughter mastered the staff and became a decent swordfighter, then she could assist in missions... For now, she was to stay at the fort with Rolf until the bandits were completely gone.
As Greil mulled over the matter with a fond smile on his face, several knocks in a specific pattern interrupted his thoughts. He also heard the wing flapping of a pegasus that arrived. Was the group done already?
"Greil," A voice called out through the door. Greil knew who it was...
"Volke, what's the news?" He asked with a sense of unease.
"Daein has mobilized and begun their march. They were last seen in Delbray," Volke answered, alarming Greil. "I've seen some familiar figures on the way. As you know, the eldest sister of the pegasus knights and your men should be informing you any moment..."
That meant war was imminent. The Daein army might have reached Melior by now... The news left Greil visibly shaken yet collected despite the stress.
"COMMANDER! BAD NEWS!" Shinon's voice and footsteps resounded throughout the fort. The sounds of pegasus wings flapping over the fort became apparent in the direction of Port Talma.
Greil knew it wasn't Florina, as she already accompanied Ike on his mission. That meant her sister was on the way to Port Talma.
"I'll keep you updated..."
With that, Volke left the vicinity without a trace. Greil grimaced from hearing the news of Daein's invasion. He stood up from his desk to address his subordinate and await his son's return...
"That's the pirate ship in question?" Titania pointed to the ship in question at the docks. The village mayor nodded in affirmation.
Sounds of the corsairs making a ruckus North from the group's position could be heard. The elderly mayor sighed from having dealt with another marauder problem that didn't involve the merry pirate crew. At any rate, their world-famous fish market would never be able to conduct business.
"Aye. They sailed into port a few days ago and have been causing trouble ever since. They're not like the Davros whatsoever..." The mayor shook his head in exasperation from the town's ordeal. "I pray that you and your companions can drive them away. Although..."
The Mayor looked over the current group which consisted of the young man and woman who caused a huge incident months ago (everyone could remember how they kissed at the pier) as well as the stoic nomadic horseback archer, the beautiful monk, and the shy pegasus knight who sang adorably months ago while drunk. The young man beside his fiancé was now wearing a high-collar long blue coat instead of his commander attire (his old attire made some of the veteran members somewhat uncomfortable with his commander clothing resembling his father, making him change it to resemble his old attire, much to the chagrin of some of the people from Elibe).
The mayor knew they were all strong, based on how well they've done in the past months they've arrived in Crimea. The Greil Mercenaries held a good reputation, especially with the recruitment of new members that the townsfolk all saw arrive at their port. What concerned him was that a child was accompanying them.
He recognized the young bard who appeared the youngest. The townsfolk loved his melodies played on the flute. To see such a young and innocent figure in the battle (outside of the demure lavender-haired lass across from him) made him worried wondering why they brought him to the battlefield. What was also strange was how the boy was frowning in the direction of the tavern that they visited during the celebration of the group's arrival.
"I understand," Titania's voice snapped the mayor out of his thoughts. "We'll do all we can."
"You can leave it to us!" Lyn voiced out enthusiastically with the others nodding in tow.
Ike gripped his blade and said: "Count on it, mayor. We'll clear out these sea thieves in no time."
The mayor accepted the gesture and nodded. As the mayor went his way to hide to safety, the Greil Mercenaries marched forward to deal with the pirates. Moments later, the door to the tavern opened, revealing a tanned individual with aquamarine hair and pointed ears. He possessed a red tattoo on his forehead.
"My, this town is unruly... filled with pirates of all days. Not like those..." The individual named Nasir trailed off as he soon looked in the direction of the mercenaries and one boy in particular. His eyes widened, then relaxed and became more perplexed by the one standing in the distance from him.
Nils was aware from the start but remained staring at the individual. On the other hand, Nasir didn't notice a fellow brethren until he honed his senses on Nils. Dragons held the power to sense their own kind. But Nasir found himself perplexed as to why he couldn't notice the presence of a fellow dragon until now.
"Umm... Excuse me," Ike spoke up, interrupting the staring contest between the two dragons. "We're mercenaries hired to take care of the pirates here. You might want to go back inside to avoid being caught in the skirmish."
The group was confused by the sudden bystander just standing there while there were still ruffians running amok.
Nasir stared at the blue-haired mercenary for a moment and looked at every member of the group of mercenaries. The majority appeared to be just children in his eyes or too young to be mercenaries save for the dragon brethren before him.
"Oh... You all seem so very..." Nasir trailed off as he observed the group before him. "Young. And you claim you were hired to rid the town of these pesky pirates?" He then pulled out a blue bottle of elixir and approached Ike. "Here, perhaps you should take this. It might help you if you run into trouble contending with the pirates. But do hurry. I came all this way to see the world-famous fish market, and I'll never do so with those ruffians around. Best of luck to you."
He waved goodbye to the group and went back into the Tavern all the while Nils remained silent and stared at the fleeting figure. As Nasir went back inside the tavern, he was suddenly reminded of the pirate group that did not steal from townsfolk and innocent civilians. And one rambunctious Beorc pirate who mentioned a blue-haired lad...
"He's a dragon," Nils whispered next to Ike, whose eyes widened at the news. The tavern door was shut closed until the pirates were driven out. "He knows what I am as well."
Just as Ike was ready to reply and inquire further, Titania's voice announced: "Are you all ready? We'll whittle their numbers and rush to wipe out whatever's left. Greil Mercenaries, move out!"
"""Right!""" They all responded with even Nils following suit grabbing his flute. There was no time to discuss why the Goldoan dragon was present at this port. They needed to clear the bandits. Ike readied his blade along with many others with their weapons.
"Charge!" Ike announced with everyone following the young man's lead as his cape flew with the wind.
A pink short-haired pegasus knight stood at the edge of the wooden rail and top of a barrel within the pirate ship with her lance at the ready. Her pegasus was flying at the side ready to catch its owner. She was outnumbered by pirates who tricked her into coming aboard their ship. She needed to find her brother, who may have swindled these ruffians. But now she was in peril and potentially accosted by these brutes who were leering at her with blades sharpened.
Soon, the flapping of wings could be heard from a distance opposite to her pegasus's position. It was another pegasus rider with curlish lavender hair riding towards her.
"Oh crackers, did Deputy Commander Tanith or my wingmates come to bring me back!?" Marcia, the pegasus knight, panicked at the sight of a member of the Holy Guard possibly coming to find her. She soon frowned at the unfamiliar face. "But she doesn't seem familiar... is she a new recruit?"
The leader of the pirates, Havetti, caught the distraction of Marcia and looked in the direction where she was staring.
"Yahar har harrr!" The fat balding pirate bellowed out. He grinned greedily at the sight of another pegasus knight coming to his ship. "Looks like we can take some payment from your fellow knight!"
The rest of the pirates followed suit with laughter. Marcia glared and gritted her teeth at the pirates confident they could take on two pegasus riders. While she was reluctant to accept punishment, she would dutifully accept if the Begnion Holy Guard came all this way to find her especially when she was about to be accosted by pirates.
"Hmm... someone is riding behind her..." One pirate pointed out. The other corsairs joined in the observation and saw that a spiky blue-haired lad had a sword in hand.
"They are bustin' me gut, those rudderless fools! Do they truly think they can face me mighty axe and live?" Havetti scoffed and laughed in the face of impending danger.
Soon, an arrow flew at his underling and hit him straight into the throat. The other pirates saw their downed crewmate and looked in the direction of where the arrow flew, with an archer on his horse and a beautiful woman firing arrows at their ship. Too many of their comrades were dead on the ground bleeding at the pier. They all snarled at the attempt on their lives.
Soon, the pegasus rider flew above them with the boy dropping down with his sword readied.
"Give back what you've stolen from the good folk here and set sail," He announced.
"Yahar har harrrr!" Havetti bellowed out with his axe in hand. "Now I know yer tetched in the head, lassie! We show 'em our axes an' say 'Arrrr,' and the gold and grub come rainin' down. We'll not be givin' this up!"
The rest of the pirates followed suit with their axes and swords raised and trained on the pair who invaded their ship. Soon, the footsteps and galloping onto the plank connecting the ship and pier had the pirates opposing a red-haired paladin, a beautiful blonde acolyte, and a light blue-haired child holding a flute. All the while bows and arrows were aimed at the deck from the pier.
Marcia saw the odd group of people willing to fight against these pirates. Some of them were too young or unfit for battle.
"I see..." Ike said with narrowed eyes and blade in hand. "Looks like we'll have to rely on force of arms, then."
In an instant, he dashed towards a corsair with blinding speed and slashed him. His comrades followed suit with arrows flying at the sea bandits and axe strikes from Titania. Lucius cast spells in succession as the pirates were bombarded with blasts of light. All the while, Nils played his flute, energizing his companions while protected by Florina staving off the pirates with javelin in hand.
Titania was at first worried to have Nils accompany them on their mission, as he was a non-combatant. But he could energize his friends with tunes on his flute through mystical means. It was like the seid magic of legend said to imbue people with strength. But the practitioners were said to be gone not too long ago...
For now, all the members of the Greil Mercenaries focused on eliminating the pirates. Havetti growled at the sight of his men being felled by these mercenaries. Just as he raised his axe to counter the fierce onslaught, his abdomen was suddenly pierced at the side, causing him to cough out blood. He looked to see the source of his wound, finding the pink-haired pegasus knight who dared to resist them stabbing him with a thrust of the lance.
"Yaaaarr...arrr...Help me..." The pirate captain groaned as he fell over to the side, and succumbed to his wound.
Soon, the battle was done before the pirates or Marcia realized it. Marcia let out a relieved breath and looked in the direction of her saviors. The archers also arrived at the boat having pelted the pirates relentlessly.
The group stared at the pegasus rider whose steed arrived at her side. Florina stared at the fellow pegasus rider with a smile.
"Thanks so much for the help there! I could have been a goner there!" Marcia gratefully said to the group. "I'm Marcia, a pegasus knight from Begnion. Are you all knights? Is your pegasus rider one of my wingmates back in Begnion?"
The others glanced at Florina who was shaking her head in response, surprising Marcia. By no means was she nor her sisters were falcoknights of Begnion.
Ike shook his head at Marcia's inquiry. "No, we're just mercenaries, I'm Ike of the Greil Mercenaries. Everyone here is a mercenary," He answered truthfully. He then gestured to Florina and said: "Florina is not from Begnion."
"Oh," She exclaimed. Marcia then smiled at the blue-haired mercenary. "Well, I should at the very least show my gratitude somehow, handsome!"
Ike blinked repeatedly at being referred to as handsome. All the while Lyn frowned at the young pegasus knight with a jealous look. Just as Ike was about to reply, Titania interjected.
"We can discuss your gratitude another time, Marcia. We still have to report to the village mayor of our mission being accomplished," Titania reminded the group. As she was ready to leave the boat on her steed, she looked in the direction of the town, only to widen her eyes. Nils also seemed to have noticed the anomaly a while ago with a frown.
"Nils, is there something the matter?" Lucius asked the bard.
"Sophia... she approaches..." Nils replied, bringing everyone's attention to him save for Marcia, who was confused.
"Fiora is the flier and bringing her to us," Rath added making Florina visibly excited.
"Sister!?" Florina exclaimed happily. Marcia blinked repeatedly at another pegasus rider who was a sibling to the lavender-haired flier.
Moments later, Fiora descended onto the pirate ship with her steed and Sophia in tow. The former and her pegasus looked visibly exhausted and ready to fall over, making everyone worried. Sophia looked tired but stared in the direction of the tavern before turning her attention to the group.
"What happened?" Ike queried the pegasus knight and shaman.
"Daein... they invaded, Melior is currently being attacked..." Fiora panted out, alarming everyone in the vicinity. "They brought their legions, Crimea and Daein are now at war!"
Everyone became shocked at the news brought to them. Lyn and Florina covered their mouths while Nils and Rath's eyes widened. Lucius looked visibly worried as Raven and Priscilla were still in Melior. Titania looked the most distraught as a former royal knight who once served her homeland.
Marcia looked visibly tense at the news as a bystander. She realized she probably shouldn't remain in Crimea by this point...
"I'll catch you all later then, I could repay you later in the town, perhaps?" Marcia told the stunned group who were justifiably stupefied by the news. "The townsfolk might need to prepare to evacuate to other countries. I know my routes to Begnion so I could help you out a bit by pointin' them to the right route. Though Gallia would have to be the best place to flee..."
With that, Marcia flew into the port town on her pegasus, leaving the visibly shaken group to be informed of the rest of the news. Titania was the first to step forward with her concern.
"Was there any provocation?" To which Fiora shook her head.
"They were approaching with a legion of knights, cavalry, and wyverns. With their ruler leading the charge..." Fiora answered as she shivered from having gained a glimpse of the fierce and terrible king. "Raven and the others were last seen helping civilians evacuate. They were informed ahead of time before the rest of the capital and will likely meet us back at the fort, assuming they don't encounter any skirmishes..."
Everyone let out a sigh of relief. At least the others were likely prepared. Ike knew with Soren and Raven leading the escape, the former Black Fang and the rest of their members may be able to leave the capital safely. Ike and the others from Elibe were ready to march into the capital to regain the rest of their members.
It was likely Sophia in front of them who warned the group. Titania on the other hand furrowed her brow as she was not aware of Sophia like the rest of the people from Elibe. She put the doubts in the back of her mind until the rest of the report was finished.
"Moreover..." Fiora looked over to Sophia who was hesitating to speak, looking between Titania and Ike. Ike nodded to the shaman, allowing her to speak.
"The King of Daein... he..." Sophia's mouth quivered as she was near tears. She was visibly sad based on the crack in her voice. "Who he rode on was no wyvern..."
The group blinked repeatedly at Sophia's first word. It was as if she was referring to a person instead of a mount. The people who heard of Ashnard, the King of Daein, knew he rode on a wyvern. Nils narrowed his eyes at Sophia.
"You can't mean...?" Nils voiced out to which Sophia nodded in confirmation. Nils grimaced in response to his question being affirmed.
It was then Ike and the others caught on to what Nils and Sophia were referring to aside from Titania. The sub-commander was still confused on the matter. Why did it matter what animal the invading king rode on?
It was then Sophia inhaled and exhaled. She recomposed herself to address the group. What she sensed from her kind was twisted and unnatural. Moreover, she could feel the sorrow emanating from the individual she saw in Melior. She couldn't ignore such a thing as one shared the blood of the great species known in every land and world.
"The mount he chose... was a dragon... He forced him to become his mount..."
AN: Pretty much skipped the whole prologue mission chapters because they weren't that important (you really want two chapters dedicated to a curb-stomp of poor bandits?). Next chapter will detail the events at the capital.