[Act] Fire Emblem: Dawn of Darkness (M)

Okay, since I'm currently in a bit of writer's block for my Zelda and Mario fanfics, I thought I'd post my Fire Emblem fic to give my readers something to do while they wait for my Zelda and Mario mind idea machines start working again.

The rating is for a little swearing, and of course, the violent war that's always happening in Fire Emblem tales. There's also some romance and mystery present, but the main genre is action/adventure.

Fire Emblem: Dawn of Darkness is my idea of a direct sequel to Radiant Dawn. Yes, Ike is returning in this story. He's not the main character though, nope. That'd be Azura, the new lord. The story takes place a few months after the events of RD end, though the first chapter contains events that happen only a few weeks after. Elincia and Ranulf also return. Geoffrey appears in the first chapter and then doesn't show up again. Everyone else is part of a new cast of characters. I don't have a prologue for this either, btw. I just couldn't think of one.

Oh yeah, BEFORE READING THIS, you might want to READ THIS (a short story I wrote awhile back. DoD makes a few big references to it.)

Time to begin.

Theme Song



Chapter 1: A Broken Love

“Thank you…Ike…” she said. Just then, the two continued to gaze at each other, realizing how close their faces were. Ike had a nervous expression on his face, but Elincia could see why it was so. He’d probably never been this close to a girl before in his young life. Ike couldn’t help but smile at the beautiful young queen standing before him.

“You’re…welcome,” he replied. “You know, we probably should—” Almost suddenly, Elincia pressed her lips against Ike’s, cutting him off. Ike couldn’t help but return the passionate kiss and let his hands slip around Elincia’s waist.

Elincia had her hands on Ike’s shoulders. The moment felt like it would last forever as Ike and Elincia remained in their embracing kiss. In her heart, Elincia knew she loved Ike and no one else. What other man had gone to protect her no matter what during the Mad King's War? Who else could she always turn to for help when trouble arose in Crimea? One could say Geoffrey, but somehow it didn't feel the same. Ike was also the one to always be there for her when she was sad or worried. He'd also taught her some of the things he knew about swordplay. Elincia couldn't want any man more than she wanted Ike. The two let go moments later, both with small smiles on their faces, and walked to the door from which they'd come.

“I love you…Ike,” Elincia said when she and Ike were at the door. “Good night…” Ike simply smiled, turned around, and started walking back down the corridor. Just after taking a few steps, he turned his head back around to partially face Elincia. The last thing she heard him say before leaving was “I love you too.”

The memory of the one she loved kept ringing through Queen Elincia’s head as she sat there in her bedroom in Castle Crimea. It had been well over a month since she had last seen him, and now she already missed him much. If only the rumors going around that Elincia and Geoffrey, the commander of Crimea’s Royal Knights, were the ones in love hadn't been so major, they wouldn’t have been "forced" to marry, and Elincia could have stayed with the man she truly loved. They feared a possible uproar of questions and protest could erupt if the love they had together had been made more public, plus Elincia would eventually need to produce an heir. The truth was that the two only saw each other as really good friends. The only thing Elincia had left to remember the man she loved was a long, worn headband he once wore. Elincia now had it tightly gripped in her trembling hands. She’d gotten it from Oscar, one of Crimea’s knights, who had found it in the fort of the old mercenary company he once belonged to.

As tears began to fall down Elincia’s cheeks, she thought of how other people she knew had stayed with the ones they loved. Sothe, a thief from Daein, had married a light sage named Micaiah who was now the queen of Daein and they, too, saw happiness together. The more she thought about it, the more upset Elincia got. Why couldn’t she be with the man she loved too? If the queen of Daein could marry a lowly thief, why couldn't Elincia marry a common mercenary? Even then, other people she knew married the ones they loved as well. Why did she have to be the only one to not have been happy in the end? She lost her thought when there was a knock at the door and Geoffrey walked in. He noticed the tears trailing down Elincia’s cheeks and sensed the reason why.

“You miss him, don’t you?” Geoffrey guessed. Elincia quickly turned around to face him and wiped her tears.

“Yes…Oh, Geoffrey, I’m sorry! I miss him a lot…” Elincia admitted.

“Don’t worry, I understand,” Geoffrey replied. “Ike loved you. And you loved him. It was he you should have been with.” Elincia was speechless for a few seconds.

“R-really? You don’t mind that it wasn’t you I fell in love with?” Elincia said, wanting to be sure.

“Of course. I never saw you as anything more than a good friend and you felt the same towards me, right?” Geoffrey asked. “Why those rumors started, I don’t know. But Ike was the one who loved you and he’s the one you should be with if that’s what you desire.”

“You’re right, Geoffrey…” Elincia agreed. “But how am I going to find him…? How will this marriage between us end…?”

“You just leave that to me,” Geoffrey replied with a smile. “I’ll make sure you get out of here. Though, Lucia and I will miss you deeply, we understand.” Elincia couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks again. She couldn’t help but get up and throw Geoffrey a hug for his efforts. As some of her sadness began to turn into excitement, Elincia thought of how Ike would react when she was finally in his arms again. She knew she couldn’t live without the man she loved anymore and had to leave, no matter what anyone else thought.

“Oh, Geoffrey, I can’t thank you enough!” Elincia cried. Geoffrey returned her hug.

“Hey, anything to make you happy,” he said with a smile.

“Thank you, but…we don’t know where Ike is…” Elincia pointed out after she let go of Geoffrey.

“I have a pretty good idea,” Geoffrey replied. “You know how Altarais was recently discovered to exist, right?” Elincia gasped with surprise. Altarais, of course! The continent of Altarais had been discovered to exist west of Tellius just before Elincia heard Ike was going to leave.

“You mean he may have gone there?” she asked. “I must find a boat!”

“Now not so fast,” Geoffrey said, smiling again. “Aren’t you going to pack a few things first?”

“Oh, right, of course,” Elincia replied. “I guess I’m just so eager to go.” Without a moment to spare, Elincia grabbed a bag and began stuffing the essentials inside, including Ike’s old headband. It had been the very same head piece he’d worn during the Mad King’s War three years before. However, Ike’s whereabouts were not the only thing on Elincia’s mind at the moment. She wanted to feel the warmth of Ike’s arms around her again and she wanted to be able to gaze once more at his handsome face. But what would everyone she knew in Crimea think of her suddenly leaving her nation behind to be with a mercenary? Of course, Ike’s former companions, the Greil Mercenaries, would not have a problem with it, as they knew of the love between the hero of Tellius and the queen of Crimea. Lucia, Geoffrey’s sister, as well as Bastian, another close official at the castle, had also known. However, there were the Crimean common folk who had long supported her as well as Geoffrey. What would they think of such a decision made by their queen? What would Renning think? As Elincia kept her thoughts mostly focused upon this, she sighed with nervousness, wondering if she was really making a good choice at all. Upon seeing this, Geoffrey then approached her, having sensed her feelings.

“Elincia, do not worry about things here,” he comforted. “I will see to it that no problems arise about what you have chosen to do. If Ike is the man you desire to be with, then it should be accepted.”

“Are…are you sure?” Elincia wondered. “What about my lord uncle? Our friends from Gallia and Begnion? Even Daein?”

“Lord Renning would want you to be happy, no matter what. I assure you,” Geoffrey replied. “I cannot speak for Daein, but everyone else has some well-found respect for Ike, as well as you. They would never refuse being happy for the both of you.”

“Yeah, that’s true. I guess that makes Daein the only oddball in this.”

“Well, quite frankly, I’m not even sure they would care,” Geoffrey explained. “That Micaiah seemed to be so stuck up and stubborn that she probably wouldn’t even notice Crimea’s ruler changed for ages.”

“Haha, probably, yes,” Elincia replied with a little laughter. “Speaking of the throne, I presume my lord uncle will take over?”

“Of course. He was originally supposed to anyway,” Geoffrey pointed out.

“Ah yes, that is true too,” Elincia remembered. Renning being named heir to the throne after Elincia’s late father, King Ramon, was the very reason her existence had been kept secret from the public.

Having finally finished packing what she chose to take along, Elincia threw off whatever she thought made her look royal. Jewelry, head pieces, the transparent cape she wore, anything of the sort would be left behind. She threw on an old dark brown cloak once she was finished to disguise herself. It had been the cloak she always used in such occasions. Also choosing not to leave by her Pegasus so as not to attract attention, Elincia faced Geoffrey once more, but continued to sigh.

“Geoffrey…I’m going to miss you and everyone else,” she said. “I mean it. I wish Ike never had to leave Tellius…”

“Believe me, so do I,” Geoffrey agreed. “And I assure you that if he and you ever return, no one will interfere, not even I.”

“Thank you…” Elincia replied. “So much, Geoffrey.” With that, they put their arms around each other once more in a final hug.

“Good bye, Elincia. And good luck,” Geoffrey said with a smile.

“Good bye…” Although their last hug had gone for moments on in, Elincia immediately exited the room when they were finished, her last gesture towards him being a tear falling down her cheek.

Why? Why, Elincia…? Why did this all have to happen? Ike kept asking himself the same question over many times as he stood on a high rock overlooking the vast sea bordering the continent of Altarais. It was later in the day when the sun was on the verge of setting. It shined upon the large, open waters ahead. Why did you have to marry Geoffrey? Why did we have to keep everything about us so secret? Unable to rid his mind of the thoughts of his true love back in Tellius, the events leading to the separation of him and Elincia replayed over and over. Because of the new conflicts that had erupted dealing with the Dawn Brigade and aiding the Laguz Alliance as well as the rebellion in Crimea and defeating the goddess Ashera, Ike and Elincia had stopped showing all signs that they were in love to concentrate on what was important. As a result, rumors started going around that Elincia and Geoffrey were really the ones in love. When the rumor reached him, Ike couldn’t believe his ears and decided to leave for the newly discovered Altarais. Had Ike and Elincia not turned all their focus on the now-resolved conflicts and kept their relationship so obscure, Lord Renning and the Crimean commonfolk would have recognized that in truth, Elincia loved Ike.

As Ike kept watching the beating waves in the sea before him, another thought came to his mind. He wished somehow he could go back to Tellius to see Elincia again, but with her married to Geoffrey, he knew he could not show his face again. It would only make matters worse and possibly cause even more rumors to start spreading. No good would come out of Elincia secretly seeing Ike while she had already married either. Ike hung his head in shame and thought there was no way for him to see her again without causing trouble. Just then, a pair of footsteps came up from behind him. It was Ranulf, Ike’s companion and close friend on his journey. He had left the laguz kingdom of Gallia to join Ike on the trip. Ike turned around to see the cat laguz standing there.

“Oh, hey Ranulf…” he said.

“I figured I’d find you up here. You’re not sulking about the rumor incident again, are you?” Ranulf asked. “I told you it wasn’t your fault.”

“I know, but I still feel I could have made things come out differently,” Ike replied. “I wish I could just turn back time.”

“Well, I don’t know, but listen, I know how you feel,” Ranulf replied. “You know, about Elincia and all.”

“What? Ranulf, I love her. I could have had a life with her, had those rumors and the trouble in Tellius not started. Sure, she’s royalty, but despite how much I dislike that and nobility, I’d choose love over any of it any day,” Ike stated. “Since when have you ever been involved in anything to do with being in love?” Ranulf heaved a sigh of nervousness before answering Ike’s question.

“Well…I never told anyone this, but I…for the longest time I felt it was either Lethe or Lyre I loved,” Ranulf admitted. “I couldn’t choose between either of them. Being twins, they were similar to one another and if you loved one, you can’t help but love the other.”

“Oh, I see where you’re going with this. You chose to leave both so you didn’t have to make a choice.”

“Exactly. I never even knew who I loved, let alone could I be with her.”

“I see. Perhaps I’m not solely to blame, but then I can’t help thinking Geoffrey is responsible too,” Ike replied. “I actually once thought he did love Elincia, but I never said anything.”

“Well, I really don’t know about that either, but I can tell you that the rumors were definitely no one’s fault,” Ranulf assured Ike. “They simply started out of people jumping to conclusions.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Ike agreed. “I can’t pout about it forever, so I may as well set it aside for now. Let’s get going, it’s starting to get late.”

As the days went by, Elincia kept doing everything she could to find Ike as soon as possible. Almost missing the last boat to Altarais of the day when she was leaving Crimea, Elincia stood on the deck and looked out at the sea before her. Hopefully Altarais wouldn’t be too long of a journey, at least not any longer than a boat trip from Crimea to Begnion, which was roughly three months. However, to her pleasure, the boat trip was said to be only a few weeks, due to the calm waters and the fact that this boat moved faster than the one Elincia and Ike had been on when they traveled to Begnion three years before during the Mad King’s War. Altarais was also said to not be extremely far away. As she stayed upon the deck, never taking Ike out of her mind, Elincia wondered how Geoffrey was doing on the matter of meeting with Renning and ending the marriage. She hoped that her uncle would understand everything that had happened was a mistake.

Deciding to keep her identity of former queen to herself, Elincia, after two more weeks had gone by, went back below deck one night to turn in. The halls of the inside of the boat were full of people going to Altarais about their business, and having general conversation. As Elincia approached her cabin, a red-haired woman who appeared to not be much older than her, had turned a corner of the hall in a run and bumped into Elincia. The impact, due to the fact that the woman had been running, caused Elincia to stumble. The woman swiftly caught her before she could fall.

“Oh! I beg your pardon! I’m so sorry!” the woman apologized. Elincia simply smiled as the woman helped her up.

“It’s alright, it was just an accident,” she replied. “I’ve…never seen you before. Are you from Altarais?” Before answering, the woman looked Elincia over as if the former queen was someone she hadn’t seen in years.

“Why, yes, I am,” the woman replied, smiling back. “I’m Azura. What brings you here?”

“Oh, I’m looking for someone,” Elincia said. “That’s why I’m going to Altarais.”

“You don’t say? You wouldn’t happen to be looking for a man named Ike, would you?” Azura guessed. Elincia’s eyes widened in surprise.

“How…how’d you know that?!” she gasped. Azura smiled again and pushed back her long red hair, part of which had been set back into a ponytail. Her chest, arms, shoulders, and legs were covered with light blue armor and a sword was sheathed at her side. Elincia guessed she was a soldier of Altarais, but still wondered how she knew Ike.

“Ah, you see, he is indeed there. I met him at the harbor we’re now heading for when he first arrived,” Azura explained. “He’s quite the acquaintance. At first, he wouldn’t tell me why he’d left home, but when I convinced him that he could trust me, he gave me his story. It was quite a tale. I had wondered why he didn’t seem happy when I first spotted him on the boat’s plank.” Azura went on to say that she had heard from Ike about the Mad King’s War and as well as what led him to be the main hero at the time. She had also heard about the blessed golden blade, Ragnell, and the defeating of King Ashnard as well as the issue with the goddess Ashera and Laguz Alliance. Elincia finished off these stories by mentioning a few things Ike hadn’t told her, such as his duels against his former arch nemesis, the Black Knight. It led her to start talking of Ike’s noble heroism, his strength and skill, his kindness, his courage, and how he would have secret meetings with her which no one else knew of. She even spoke of his looks. However, Elincia didn’t feel it was proper to mention Ike’s defeating Ashera either.

“Heh, you really have it bad for Ike, don’t you…Elincia?” Azura asked with a smile.

“How…how do you know who I am?!” Elincia wondered with surprise.

“Oh, Ike has talked about you more than anything else,” Azura replied with a chuckle. “He misses you an awful lot.” With that, Elincia turned her head and let her cheeks become a rosy pink color.

“That’s my Ike alright,” she confirmed. “How have he and Ranulf been? I mean…assuming you met Ranulf as well.”

“Oh yeah, we all know one another. Ranulf is just his catty self, sometimes playfully teasing us,” Azura replied. “Ike’s great, except when he mopes about leaving you.”

“Ah, well this is exactly why I’m traveling all this way,” Elincia commented. “I’ve ensured that my people are in good hands. Being the queen of Crimea means nothing to me if I can’t be with the man I love at the same time. In fact, I don’t ever wish to speak of my royal blood again.”

A few more days went by as Elincia grew to know Azura a little better each time they spoke. Ike had apparently talked with her a lot as well, as she knew more than Elincia had expected. Azura also explained that she met Ranulf, the one who had accompanied Ike on his journey, as well as Ike himself. She knew a little bit about the Greil Mercenaries, the aiding of the Laguz Alliance, and a little about the laguz themselves. Elincia told her three kinds lived on Tellius, the beast, the bird, and the dragon tribes. She also mentioned an incident that had occurred with a new tribe, the wolves, just a month after the Mad King’s War. Ike was almost killed in the battle, despite how strong he is even without Ragnell. Two of the few remaining wolves that had inhabited a country called Hatari had then been seen in Tellius during the time of the Crimean rebel.

“Wow. That must have been some battle,” Azura commented one early morning. “And a strong leader too. Ike mentioned something about a skill he uses and trains with called…Aether was it?”

“Yeah, that. He used it against the wolf king, but the king still had a lot of energy, despite how badly wounded the move left him,” Elincia finished. “Ike brought him down, but just barely, thanks to a lightning strike sending a boulder crashing down.” Elincia continued by mentioning the boulder incident where Ike was shoved to the ground and buried in falling boulders, but his superior physical strength enabled him to lift the big one off and throw it a short distance. The wolf king, along with a lot of his comrades, were bowled over and killed by said boulder’s impact. The wolf queen, Nailah, had apparently no knowledge of the battle at all for an unknown reason.

“Wow, seriously?! I noticed Ike had quite the set of muscles, but I never pictured him doing something like that!” Azura exclaimed with surprise.

“Yeah, Ike is an amazing warrior,” Elincia replied, blushing and smiling at the same time. “As a result of being badly wounded and using up a lot of strength and energy, Ike fainted and went unconscious, but Rhys, one of their staff wielders, was able to save him.”

“Well, thank goodness. It sounds like Ike had it real rough,” Azura said. Elincia nodded in agreement as the two headed onto the deck that morning. The sun was shining brightly with few clouds soaring over head in the blue sky. A light, cool breeze blew across the boat as it continued its journey to its destination. Elincia peered over the front of the boat and could faintly see hills, trees, and mountains in the far distance. A smile formed on her face as she pointed to the sight of land.

“Hey, is that Altarais?” Elincia asked, turning to Azura.

“Yep! We’re almost there,” she replied.

“Oh, finally! Soon I’ll see Ike again for the first time in over two months…” Elincia said, tears of happiness building up in her eyes. Perhaps Ike was still right there in town on the harbor, thinking of her at that very moment. She imagined how happy he’d be when she was in his arms again. Around a half an hour later, the boat finally began to pull into the dock. Elincia grabbed her bag from her boat cabin and bolted through the exit once it was opened. Azura followed behind, seemingly happy to be in her homeland again. The two came to a halt on the road into the little town called Galden at the coast of the nation of Talgria and started walking.

“Okay, I’ve seen Ranulf around here in town a lot, so if we’re going to find Ike, we should look for him first,” Azura said as they walked. “If we find Ranulf, we’ll have less trouble looking for Ike. He’ll know where he is.”

“Ah, good idea. Let’s go!” Elincia agreed. “But wait, Ranulf is a laguz…the beorc here get along with them?”

“Yeah, we do. We see no reason why they should be treated as unequals,” Azura explained as the two young women began their search in town for Ranulf, going down each road and alley way they could find. But the laguz was nowhere to be found. They even asked some a few people if they had seen a blue-haired beast laguz wandering about in town, but no one had. Still, they kept up the search hoping Ranulf would at least come into town sooner or later and tell them where they could find Ike. Almost suddenly, just as Azura and Elincia reached the outskirts of town, a group of bandits appeared out of nowhere from the woods ahead. The ring-leader cackled with laughter when he set eyes upon the two women.

“Well, well! Looks like we got ourselves a couple o’ girls askin’ fer some trouble, mates!” he said, noticing both were armed. “Let’s show ‘em what we got!” Azura glared at them and drew her sword, which was a Sonic Sword.

“I don’t think so, wise guy!” Azura retorted and charged at the leader. Since the leader was wielding an axe, Azura had the upper hand with her sword, but it was unknown how strong the bandits actually were.

“Elincia! I’ll hold these clowns off! Keep looking for Ranulf!” Azura called back. However, Elincia had other ideas.

“But…you might not be strong enough by yourself!” Elincia pointed out.

“Don’t worry, I’ve handled guys like these a lot in the past!” Azura replied as she dodged an axe strike and landed a hit on the bandit next to her. “Just go!”

“Al-alright,” Elincia nervously replied. However, one of the bandits saw her start to run away.

“Oh no ya don’t!” he shouted and ran after her. “Yer not goin’ anywhere!”

“Elincia, behind you!” Azura shouted, noticing the situation. Elincia turned around, having heard what the bandit said.

“Oh yeah? My blade says otherwise!” she retorted and stabbed the bandit right in his gut with Amiti. He immediately fell from the critical hit. Elincia then continued running as fast as she could back through town before any other bandits could try to stop her. Scrambling through the roads as fast as she could, Elincia frantically sought out Ranulf, hoping to find him or even Ike before getting totally lost, and lost in a town all by herself was the last thing she wanted to be at the moment.

Mkay, I feel like posting chapter 2, since it's been almost a day.


Chapter 2: Missing Heroes

In a small camp they had set up on the outskirts of Galden, Ranulf and Ike sat down to a small breakfast of what was left of the food they bought a few days ago. For a few minutes the two said nothing and just ate. Ike still had his mind on the situation from the previous evening, but attempted to refrain from showing it. Every now and then he glanced at Ranulf hoping he wouldn’t notice. There must be some way to see Elincia again, Ike had decided, because where there’s a will, there’s a way. A few minutes later though, Ike’s thoughts were interrupted by Ranulf getting up with his empty plate.

“Hey, Ike, I’m going back into town again to pick up some more food and supplies,” Ranulf said. “I’ll be back later.”

“Alright, I guess I’ll go out back and train some more,” Ike decided. “Oh, hey, if you find Azura’s back from her trip, tell her I could use a sparring partner.”

“Will do.” Ranulf agreed with a smile. He grabbed a bag and then headed through the doorway, taking the path into town. Ike grabbed his sword, Ettard after he cleaned up his plate and went out back, still rather depressed.

Ranulf, meanwhile, had switched to cat form and ran at top speed into town, then transformed back once he arrived. Galden seemed as peaceful as ever. Ranulf began to wish Tellius had been like that, and maybe if it had been, he and Ike would never have had to leave. He also thought about how the beorc and laguz there were at peace, another thing that Tellius never was for awhile. The absence of prejudice against laguz was a comfort to Ranulf, but he still missed Lethe and Lyre and even Kyza, a tiger laguz who had served under him, every now and then. He tried to take his mind off of his thoughts when he finally set foot in the town’s market, hoping he and Ike had earned enough gold from their previous day’s work as local mercenaries.

As he walked through the market, scrutinizing the place for exactly what was needed, Ranulf glanced around at the numerous beorc and laguz who were mixed together. Since he and Ike had been in town for two months now, however, Ranulf had gotten used to it, even though it took some time. Just as he was approaching a place that sold meat, fruit, bread, and other necessities, Ranulf thought he heard the sound of his name in the distance. Thinking he was imagining it, he carried on, browsing the numerous food choices before him. Still, his name rang out again, and Ranulf made out a female voice coming from the distance to his right. It sounded so familiar, and when Ranulf placed it, he just stood there staring into space. But it couldn’t be her… Ranulf thought. Could it?

“RANULF!” the female voice called again. Upon hearing it, Ranulf shook his head, snapping himself out of his trance. He turned to his right and just as he thought, Elincia was running down the path as fast as her legs could carry her. She stopped in front of the shocked blue cat laguz and caught her breath before speaking.

“Elincia?! But…but—” Ranulf stammered, too shocked to form a complete sentence.

“I’ll explain later. I’m just glad I found you!” Elincia replied. “Where’s Ike?”

“Uh, oh, he’s at our camp on the outskirts of town. Gosh, he’ll sure be happy to see you,” Ranulf replied, still in shock.

“As will I. Let’s go!” Elincia insisted.

“O-of course.” Ranulf was still surprised at Elincia’s presence when the two headed in the direction he’d come, as somehow she found out exactly where Ike had gone and left her throne in Crimea. Still, Ranulf focused on what was more important and led Elincia back towards the camp, leaving town again in a mere fifteen minutes. They traveled up the path that went by the camp, Elincia’s heart pounding with excitement. She couldn’t wait to finally be in Ike’s arms again after two months and couldn’t help but smile the whole way there. However, when they arrived, the sight before them was what they had least expected to see.

Ranulf and Elincia stopped dead in their tracks to find the entire camp torn down. What remained of the tent was scattered on the ground, rips and tears all over its pieces. What was left of Ranulf and Ike’s supplies were in a mess in the grass while their small table was overturned with two legs broken off, the two chairs that went with it also broken. The only thing that appeared to be missing, however, was Ike himself, and that worried Elincia more than anything else. She frantically scrutinized the whole area for her missing lover.

“What the—?!” Ranulf exclaimed with shock when he saw the destroyed camp.

“Ike! IKE!” Elincia called. But there was no reply to be heard. It was clear that Ike was long gone. Minutes later, however, Elincia spotted something dark pale red hanging from a branch on a tree nearby. Upon moving closer to it, she noticed it was a piece of Ike’s long cape. Elincia immediately plucked it from the branch and couldn’t prevent tears from coming to her eyes.

“Oh, Ike, where are you?!” she sobbed, squeezing the piece of cape.

“We’ll figure this out, Elincia,” Ranulf promised. “But where to begin…” The two thought for a moment before Elincia remembered the bandits that had attacked her and Azura. She jumped at recalling the scene.

“Hey, I bet those bandits Azura and I met earlier have something to do with this!” she said.

“Bandits? Azura?” Ranulf replied. “You met Azura and some bandits?”

“Yes, I can show you where they were. They were just over that way,” Elincia replied, pointing northwest. “Azura said she could handle them, though. I hope she’s alright.”

“Yeah, let’s go,” Ranulf agreed. With no hesitation, the two started off in the direction Elincia had pointed and it took only minutes for them to arrive at the scene of the bandit attack. However, to their dismay, neither Azura nor the bandits were in sight. Only a rabble of footprints was left in the dirt, and was the only thing for Elincia and Ranulf to examine. Upon looking closer, the footprints were seen to be scattered about and then were headed in the direction opposite of that where Elincia and Ranulf had come. Elincia was still looking at the footprints, hoping Ike may have been there, when Ranulf looked up and notice other strange patterns were left.

“Yeah, there was a struggle here alright,” he pointed out. “But this other pattern in the dirt shows someone was dragged away too. This isn’t good…”

“Oh no! That means they’ve got her…” Elincia concluded from the evidence. “I feared something like this might happen!”

“Yeah, we have to hurry,” Ranulf agreed. “We have no choice but to follow the trail they left.” Elincia nodded with concern and followed the blue cat laguz up the path where the footprints trailed off. As they were going, Elincia couldn’t help but fear for both Azura’s and Ike’s safety, because it wasn’t known if there were more bandits in league with the ones she and Azura had met or how strong they were. Despite this, both Elincia and Ranulf pressed on, eventually passing by a mounted knight wearing green armor and had blue-green hair. Elincia immediately stopped to inquire about the situation.

“Oh, excuse me, sir knight, you didn’t happen to see a blue-haired man wearing a green headband and red cape come by here earlier, did you?” she asked.

“Or some bandits and a red-haired woman with a ponytail who’s wearing light blue armor?” Ranulf added.

“Erm…let me think…” the knight replied. “Ah, I believe I did see a man like that earlier heading in the direction you are, but I’m afraid not the bandits or woman you speak of. That man seemed to be quite angry and in a hurry, though.”

“Oh, thank you! Ranulf, c’mon!” Elincia scolded. Ranulf didn’t hesitate to agree and the two continued in their direction. The knight simply looked at them in slight confusion and went about his business.

As Ranulf and Elincia kept following the tracks, they were led away from Galden and in a northwestern direction. A chain of mountains was in the distance, the closest one being about a mile and a half away. Still, the two went, hurrying as quickly as their feet could get them to find Ike, Azura, and the bandits. The tracks were beginning to disappear in places, however, which made things more difficult. Despite that, Elincia eventually glanced down and noticed a new set of footprints not seen at the sight of the bandit attack. She almost immediately recognized who they belonged to and gasped when she figured it out.

“Ranulf! These boot prints are Ike’s!” Elincia cried. “I recognize them anywhere! That knight was right!”

“Really? You know what the undersides of his boots look like?” Ranulf replied, raising one eyebrow in confusion.

“Well, you can’t be too careful when making sure you can always figure out where the one you love is,” Elincia assured with a wink. Ranulf decided to take her word for it and the two continued on, arriving at the foot of the mountain half an hour later. There at the food was a small village, much smaller than Galden. There wasn’t nearly as many people in the roads either, but Ranulf and Elincia inquired about their situation as much as they could, and a vast majority of the answers they received said a man fitting Ike’s description had come through there in a hurry recently. Desperate, Ranulf and Elincia started up the mountain, hoping Ike and Azura were okay, if both were there.

Elincia found it troublesome to walk the rocky mountain trail without stumbling every once in awhile, though Ranulf aided her in keeping her footing. Since only Ike had been seen coming that way, the two assumed the bandits had taken Azura in another direction so they wouldn’t be seen. Still, they didn’t lose hope of finding her as well as the famous blue-haired mercenary. However, when the two were not much farther up the trail, a group of intimidating men up ahead wielding axes caught their eye. Elincia recognized them as the same ones that had attacked her and Azura, plus a number more.

“Ranulf, that’s them!” she exclaimed. Ranulf looked where Elincia was pointing.

“Hm? Who’s there?” one of the bandits asked, having heard the footsteps of the two. “Oh, a little girl an’ her cat. How nice for ya to come and play.” With that, the bandit cackled and gripped his axe, ready for a battle.

“Yeah, I bet they’ve come for that red-haired twit,” another added. “Well, ya ain’t goin’ to find her ‘ere! Hahaha!”

“You don’t tell us where she and Ike are and you’ll face my claws,” Ranulf threatened as he transformed into his blue cat form.

“Ike? We don’t know no Ike. But with little Redhead out o’ the way, we’re free teh do what we want, ain’t that right boys?” the first bandit replied. The whole group agreed by letting out a small cheer. Knowing now that they were obviously not going to comply with their demands, Elincia and Ranulf prepared to do battle. The group included eight bandits, each wielding an axe, which meant Elincia had the upper hand with Amiti. Ranulf was strong enough himself to handle them, and the two fought them one by one with ease. But as they kept traveling up the trail, more of them appeared. Still, they posed little threat to Ranulf and Elincia, especially since they soon spotted a familiar face standing on top of a cliff much higher up the mountain: Ike.

“Ranulf, there’s Ike!” Elincia exclaimed, pointing up ahead. She easily made out the swordsman’s blue hair, red cape, and green headband swaying in the breeze that had begun to blow.

“Oh thank g—wait a second, he’s unarmed!” Ranulf noticed as he looked closer at Ike. It was true. He had no weapon wielded in his hand or sheathed upon his back.

“Now why would he go after bandits without a sword? That just isn’t him!” Elincia protested. “Unless…they stole Ettard.”

“What? Oh man…” Ranulf groaned. “No wonder that knight from earlier said Ike seemed to be very angry.”

“I won’t disagree with that.” Both Ranulf and Elincia recalled Ettard being Ike’s favorite sword. It was a two-handed sword with a strong, steel blade, which Ike was able to wield with one hand. The sword had been in Ike’s possession ever since before the events leading up to the defeat of Ashera had occurred.

The last bandit before Ike wouldn’t go down as easily as the rest. It was the one who commanded the others on the trail. His outfit was noticeably different and his axe was a steel axe, rather than an iron axe like the other bandits had. Elincia and Ranulf worked together to vanquish him, with Ranulf attacking directly while Elincia backed him up. With Ranulf’s speed, he easily evaded most of the bandit’s attacks. Somehow, however, as Ranulf leaped for a finishing strike, the edge of the sharp axe had scraped his hind leg. It wasn’t extremely serious, but still painful.

“That’ll teach ya good for nothin’ rookies teh meddle with matters yer noses don’t belong in!” the bandit exclaimed. Ranulf scrambled back to his feet, getting angry at the bandit’s words.

“Oh yeah, tough guy?” Elincia retorted and dashed into him at quick speed, thrusting her sword into the bandit’s gut. The bandit immediately dropped to his knees and clutched his fatal wound.

“Errg…the boss ain’t gonna like this…” he said and went to the ground dead. The few other bandits whom Ike was dealing with up ahead had seen the event and began to flee. Ike shook his fist at them as they ran in cowardice.

“Hey! I’m not through with you yet!” he shouted, an angry tone showing in his voice.

Ike was about to chase after the bandits when he halted, thinking he was hearing voices behind him. Assuming he was just imagining it, he attempted to carry on, but the voices rang out again. He recognized one of them as Ranulf’s, but the other…the other was too good to be true. Ike just stood there as he made out the second voice, not wanting to believe it was who it sounded like. No…no it can’t be her…can it? Ike thought as he stood there staring off into space. She’s supposed to be in Crimea…she married Geoffrey… As Ike reminded himself of these facts, he couldn’t think anything except that it made no sense. Soon the voices began to get louder and much closer until…

“Ike! Snap out of it!” Ranulf exclaimed. Ike shook his head upon hearing his laguz friend’s words and turned around. Elincia was really and truly there, running straight towards him.

“Ike! Oh, Ike!” Elincia cried, tears of joy forming in her eyes. She collided with Ike’s gut and threw her arms around his neck. Ike returned the hug and almost began to weep himself.

“Elincia…” he replied. “W-what are you doing here? How did you find me? What about Geoffrey?”

“Oh Ike, I feel so awful about the whole thing…” Elincia replied, tears falling down her cheeks. “You must have thought I left you for Geoffrey. But it isn’t true! Those rumors were just rumors!”

“Okay, okay, calm down,” Ike said, continuing to hug her. “I believe you. I didn’t want to believe the rumors either, but you marrying Geoffrey made me so uneasy and unhappy that I couldn’t bear to show my face in Tellius ever again. I feared people would get ideas if they found out it was me you loved and…”

“And that I had married Geoffrey…I know, I feared that as well if you returned,” Elincia agreed as the two let go of one another. “But we’re together now and Geoffrey took up the matter with my lord uncle. He had also given me the idea of where you may have gone.”

“That’s good. I’m just glad we were able to get back together again after all,” Ike replied with a soft smile.

“Oh, me too!”

With that, the two almost instantly engaged in a romantic embrace. With their lips upon one another’s, the moment seemed to last forever. Ranulf stood there watching while keeping an eye out for anymore bandits. He was glad to have been some aid in reuniting the two lovers who were sharing a kiss right in front of him. Azura would have also been happy if she’d been found as well. Wherever she was, she probably hoped Elincia had found the two already. Ike and Elincia remained embraced for moments on in until Ranulf remembered the camp destruction and Azura’s disappearance and decided to politely cut in to remind his two friends of the important matters.

“Hey guys, I really hate to interrupt this heart-warming reunion, but what in the world happened to our camp? Ike, it’s a disaster!” Ranulf said.

“Oh right…that…I apologize, Ranulf,” Ike replied after he and Elincia finished. “I was training when out of nowhere bandits showed up and started ransacking the place.” Ike continued to explain that he wanted to stop them, but before he had a chance, he was slugged in the head from behind, causing him to fall unconscious. When he awoke, Ettard was gone. Luckily, the bandits had left a trail of food crumbs and then later, footprints. Ike followed them to the mountain as a result, thinking they stole his sword.

“We figured that explained why we found you unarmed up here,” Ranulf replied. “You’re going to have to find a weapon again soon. You can still wield axes, can’t you? Why didn’t you steal one from them?”

“I’m not a thief, Ranulf,” Ike said with a chuckle. “I suppose it would have the only choice if I was still on my own, but now that you two showed up, I may be fine.”

“Possibly. But Ike, we’d better go find those thieving madmen soon,” Ranulf warned. “They’ve taken Azura hostage.”

“What?!” Ike gasped, the feeling of shock running through his body at blinding speed.

“Elincia knows what happened,” Ranulf replied, motioning the former Crimean queen to tell the story. Elincia nodded and began.

“Yeah, I met her on the boat coming here and she was helping me track down Ranulf when those bandits attacked,” she explained. Elincia continued with her stabbing of one of the bandits, Azura telling her to go and continue the search for Ranulf, and then when she and the cat laguz discovered the destroyed camp. The last thing mentioned was the footprints where Azura and Elincia first met the bandits.

“And the impressions in the dirt suggested they kidnapped her?” Ike inquired, making sure he’d heart correctly.

“That’s right,” Ranulf replied.

“Then we have no choice but to take the trail those cowards took. This way,” Ike directed, showing them where the other bandits had escaped. The two followed behind him, all three very curious about what the thieves were doing with Azura.

Oh come on, I'm really eager for feedback here. xP Anyway, chapter 3, since another day has gone by.


Chapter 3: Rescue and Ruins

The trail was rather long and led to another side of the mountain. Ike, Elincia, and Ranulf hurried through the trails and passed by another town. Not having time to pick up any supplies, the threesome simply ignored the little town and went on their way, desperately trying to reach Azura before any serious harm came to her. Ike was also still desperate to retrieve his stolen sword. Rubbing his head while he went, he could feel a bit of a headache coming on from being hit over the head back at the camp, which was the cause of his going unconscious for several minutes. Ike and company soon reached what appeared to be the bandits’ hideaway, a large camp situated in a vast little valley on another side of the mountain. A large tent stood in the very back, most likely serving as the keep of the supreme leader. Ike, Ranulf, and Elincia kept themselves hidden in some rocks nearby and began to formulate a plan.

“There it is…” Ike said in a quiet voice. “I’m sure they’ve got Azura somewhere here. We’ll have to nose around to figure out exactly where.”

“How? Bandits are everywhere and only two of us can fight,” Ranulf pointed out. The laguz was far from incorrect. Wherever they looked, bandits were walking, some wielding axes, and some swords this time. They couldn’t possibly take them all by themselves.

“Hey, don’t think I didn’t learn anything from Soren,” Ike replied with a chuckle, referencing the tactician of the mercenary company he once commanded. “I’ll go—”

“Hey! You there!” a voice shouted from the distance, cutting Ike off. The threesome turned around to see the same knight whom Ranulf and Elincia asked if they’d seen Ike or Azura. He held an axe in his right hand, and accompanying him was another knight, a gray-blue haired woman, who was a lance wielder. They rode upon brown horses and had armor slightly different to that of what Ike and company were used to back in Tellius. The woman accompanying the knight from before wore blue-violet armor and was following the man up another path which headed in the direction of Ike and company.

“Shush! You’re going to give us away!” Ranulf warned. But it was too late.

“Hey! I think we got intruders o’er there!” one bandit shouted from nearby. The knights halted their horses in front of Ike and company.

“I apologize. I didn’t know you were hiding,” the man said. “I’m Marc. Leona and I were on patrol and spotted you here. You can’t possibly defeat all of these bandits on your own. Your blue-haired friend doesn’t have a weapon either.”

“The bandits stole mine, but there’s no time to talk right now. We need teach these clowns a lesson!” Ike insisted. Everyone agreed and formed up in front of the bandit camp. Ike took the rear so he could safely sneak by into the main tent and retrieve Ettard, if it was there. Elincia stood by Ranulf in the middle while Marc and Leona took the front. Being knights, they obviously had more experience with Talgrian bandits, so it was the most logical choice. Around fifteen or so bandits had positioned themselves around the area in an attempt to defend it from the group.

With the five of them teamed up, the bandits were not a serious problem. Elincia deduced them as a greater challenge than those she and Azura had met near town, but could not be positive since she had not been there very long. While paying attention to the weapons triangle, Leona went after those bandits wielding swords, known as Myrmidons while Elincia took the axe wielders, the Fighters. Marc and Ranulf backed them up while Ike safely snuck past. As Leona had plunged her iron lance into another Myrmidon bandit, Ike approached the main tent. He motioned the others to wait outside, signaling that he had a plan. While they fought the remaining bandits off, Ike entered unseen. The leader of the bandit stronghold was standing at a table inside the tent having a conversation with another bandit. Ike recognized him as one of the same ones who had infiltrated his own tent near Galden. He crept behind a crate nearby as quietly as he could and slowly rose up above it to get a look at what was on the table. To little surprise to him, the object of interest was none other than Ettard, its long, steel blade reflecting the sunlight shining through the tent doorway. Ike stayed put and eavesdropped on the conversation between the bandit leader and his cohort.

“Hehe, you men did a mighty fine job stealin’ this if what ya told me about the guy it came from is true,” the leader commended. “It’s fer sure that this blade is one of a kind. It oughta fetch us a pretty penny.”

“Oh it’s true,” the bandit replied. “That guy looked strong. We had ta knock ‘im out cold in order to git away with it.”

“Then it’s best if we be more cautious around characters like ‘im from now on,” the leader concluded. “They’re more likely ta have unique loot such as this!”

“Yeah, I kinda thought we were in trouble once he caught us too, but turns out he was easy,” the bandit replied with a chuckle. At that, Ike grimaced in anger and made a fist with his right hand. Ready to reveal himself, he leaped out from his hiding place.

“Hey, I believe you have something that belongs to me,” Ike said, pointing a finger at them.

“What?! ‘Ow did he follow us ‘ere?!” the bandit leader exclaimed.

“You left an easy trail,” Ike replied. “Now if you want to make things easier on yourselves, you’ll hand my sword over.”

“And ‘ow do ya expect ta deal with us without a weapon?” the other bandit asked, as if Ike were stupid.

“Easy. Everyone, now!” Ike shouted to the others, who were just outside the tent. Elincia and Ranulf sprung out from underneath the tent while Leona and Marc blocked the entrance. The bandit leader and his cohort simply stood there, turning around to find themselves completely surrounded. Ike soon caught a glimpse of spare axes lying inside one of the crates in the tent and immediately plucked one of the steel ones out.

“And how about that? I’m armed again,” Ike said, still retaining the skills he’d learned about using axes in battle during the war against Ashera. “Now hand my sword over and tell us where Azura is!”

“Yer not gonna know that until ya go through us first!” the leader retorted. He took his axe and clashed with Ike’s. Ettard was still on the table, nearly forgotten about over the chaos. However, because there were several people inside the not-so-large tent, it began to fall apart in no time at all due to the chaos. Elincia stabbed the leader’s assistant to death with Amiti, causing the bandit to crash into the tent walls harder than they’d already been hit, finally knocking the entire thing down. Ranulf’s opponent had nearly at the same time found himself plowing into the table Ettard still sat upon, overturning it and causing the sword to slide into a nearby cliff. It lay there unnoticed until Ike saw it, but could not grab it due to the leader struggling against him. Ike was getting frustrated by now and had trouble making sure the sword stayed where it was. However, just as he had driven the bandit leader near the crate of extra axes, Ike found himself getting axes thrown at him like there was no tomorrow.

The bandit leader was almost out of axes after Ike had moved about in every direction to dodge them. The leader tossed the last two when Ike, not realizing it, was standing in front of the cliff Ettard was laying near, and ducked. The axes collided with the rocky cliff wall and a budging noise sounded forth. The axe blade had caused a crack to form in the cliff wall, sending big rocks falling down before anyone knew it. Ike, unable to do anything because he’d jumped out of the way and forgotten his sword was there again, watched as a particularly large rock plunged right down on top of Ettard. It was so big and fell so hard, that the impact was strong enough to snap the blade right in two. Ike pushed the bandit leader aside to the ground and shoved the rock pieces away, only to find his sword in two pieces. He turned around with an angry grimace on his face.

“DAMN YOU!” Ike shouted with anger. Ranulf and Elincia stood there with frustrated and worried looks.

“Oh boy. Now they’re really in a world of trouble,” Ranulf commented, deciding to stay out of what remained of the situation.

“You can say that again,” Elincia agreed. “Stealing Ike’s favorite sword got him angry enough, but breaking it right in front of him? We’d better stay out of his way.” As Elincia and Ranulf spoke, Ike had grabbed the bandit leader by the shirt collar, grabbed the sharp half of Ettard, and drove it through his gut. Upon looking at Ike and hearing what Elincia said, Marc raised one eyebrow and gave a signal to Leona. Ike was now watching the remaining bandits, whom numbered only a few, run off in cowardice.

“Yeah, you’d better run!” Ike threatened and then turned to face the rest of the group. “Well, now thanks to these idiots, I still have no sword.”

“Sorry that had to happen,” Marc said. “That looked like a unique and powerful weapon.”

“It is. I went to a lot of trouble to get it a couple years ago,” Ike explained as he went and picked up the other half of Ettard. “In fact, it’s the only blade of its kind. I had it forged myself and had to earn so much gold for it.” Ike went on to explain that he had grown tired of using so many steel swords and silver swords that he wanted a special blade to himself. He felt more like he’d be the fighter he had come to be that way and consulted a friend of his, Daniel, who were part of a merchant convoy. He specialized in making weapons. Ike wasn’t sure he could handle the job, but Daniel replied that it shouldn’t be no trouble at all and that it was an honor to do such a task for Ike of all people, but needed the proper funding.

“Wow, sounds like a real back-breaker. Hey, by the way, did she just call you Ike?” Marc asked, motioning towards Elincia.

“I believe so,” Ike replied, not having completely heard what Ranulf and Elincia were saying earlier.

“I knew you looked familiar!” Marc exclaimed. “I’ve been hearing in town lately, mostly around the harbor, about a blue-haired man with a green headband, and red cape who became the hero of a distant land. They called him Ike.”

“That’d be me alright,” Ike confirmed. “I’m shocked at how quickly the word spread from Tellius though. I mean wow…”

“So you’re the legendary Ike?” Leona said. “So what we heard was true. I heard something about you once wielding this great sword…what color did they say it was? Golden? And I thought I heard about it being two-handed, but you could wield it with one.”

“That’s true too,” Ike confirmed. “I kind of miss that sword now, to be honest. I felt more successful with it. It was called Ragnell. It is indeed a golden two-handed sword. Information about me sure travels fast.”

“They said you’re the hugest thing ever in your land!” Leona said. “After people from Tellius started to come here, one of the first stories that were heard from them was all you.” Leona went onto explain that the whole story of Ike saving Crimea from Mad King Ashnard and defeating the goddess Ashera was passed on by tongue quickly enough to spread throughout Talgria within a month and a half. Now the tales had only recently begun to reach the nobles and royalty in the Talgrian capital of Aracion. In addition to the stories, it was also heard that Ike provoked peace between the beorc and laguz nations of Tellius and killed the wolf king when he tried to take over a severely weakened Daein after the war against Ashnard had ended.

“Gosh, Ike, you’re more famous than we thought!” Ranulf added. “But we’ve been here two months…I wonder why people haven’t recognized you.”

“Oh I bet they have, actually,” Marc corrected. “They’re just too shocked to say anything or don’t want to…well, interrupt you in your hero business.” With that, Marc let out a chuckle.

“Well, I have no desire to move up like that again, although what you all have heard is nothing but true. I’m happy being a traveling mercenary,” Ike replied.

“Speaking of mercenaries, it’s said you were the leader of a mercenary company as well,” Leona commented.

“Ah yes…the Greil Mercenaries. My father formed that company,” Ike explained. “I took command of the group after he was killed in the Mad King’s War three years ago, but now we’ve all pretty much moved on, even my sister.”

“So everything we heard was true…” Marc added. “Amazing.”

“Indeed!” Ranulf agreed. “But back to business now. Did anyone see any sign of Azura?” Ike sighed while everyone else shook their heads.

“Where could they be keeping her…?” Elincia wondered.

“’Tis beyond me. I say we split up and search this whole area,” Ike suggested. “Elincia, you and Leona come with me. Seeing as I’ll be going axe for awhile, having a sword and lance around will prove helpful in case we run into more bandits.”

“Hey, that’s right. Or perhaps you just want the women around?” Ranulf replied in a jokingly manner.

“…Yeah. Get real, Ranulf,” Ike retorted, folding his arms and remembering how some girls used to flirt with him in Tellius.

“Oh come on, I was kidding. That’s a good idea,” Ranulf said, still laughing in his head. However, just when the group was about to split up, they were interrupted by some loud voices coming from somewhere down the trail a bit. It was too far away to make out any words though, so instead of splitting up, Ike and company hurried down the path ahead to investigate. It took little time to reach the entrance to a small cave from which the voices came. One of the two sounded like a female, but before anyone could say anything, the voice rang out again.

“Oh no you don’t!” it exclaimed. “I’m not going to be prisoner to the likes of you idiots!” Ike immediately gasped when he recognized who the female voice belonged to.

“Hey, that was Azura. C’mon!” he said. The group followed Ike inside and when they hadn’t gone very far in, they spotted the red-haired swordswoman giving two bandits a hard time and had apparently broken away from some ropes they had tied her up in. Azura finally broke away from the bandits’ grip and fell to the floor. Ike and Ranulf immediately seized the two and took them out nearly instantly. Azura, wondering what had just happened and quickly scrambled to her feet to notice Ike and the others there.

“Ike! Guys!” she cried with relief. “You came to rescue me?”

“Yeah, what on earth happened with you and those bandits?” Ike inquired, telling Azura he’d heard part of the story from Elincia.

“Oh, not long after Elincia left, more bandits showed up and suddenly grabbed me by my arms. Eventually, after I grew too exhausted, I was dragged off to this cave,” Azura explained. She went on to say that the whole thing had simply been a diversion until that particular bandit had showed up in order to make her capture easier for them. Azura kept trying to break free, but she was not strong enough and had no choice but to let herself be taken to the cave the group now stood in. She was able to break out of the ropes she’d been tied in by struggling to get her sword from the sheath.

“Well, looks like we made good timing then,” Ike replied. “Marc and Leona here unexpectedly aided us. Do you know them?”

“No, but judging by their appearances, they’re knights of Talgria, if I’m not mistaken.”

“That is correct,” Marc confirmed. “I apologize for not letting you know earlier, Ike. We wanted to make sure we didn’t interrupt any of the fighting again.”

“Don’t worry about it. You did what you had to do to help us,” Ike replied.

“That, and the fact that it’s our job to protect the people living in our nation,” Leona reminded Ike with a smile.

“And it seems you do it well,” Ike complimented. “Azura, are there anymore bandits around here?”

“Not that I know of, but I need to show you something. I discovered ruins back here after I escaped,” Azura reported. “Beorc ruins, by the looks of it.”

“Ruins? That’s sure an odd thing to find at the end of a cave. Let’s have a look,” Ike replied. With that, the group made their way through the cave, which was not very long and just barely high enough for Marc and Leona to stay on their horses. The end of the tunnel was only minutes away, and when the group exited, they saw Azura wasn’t kidding. Spread out before them in a fair-sized valley were the ruins of a small town, and right away they could make out some houses and shops. Ranulf walked ahead and examined the closest building, which appeared to have been a small house.

“Yeah, these are beorc ruins alright. We laguz always build greater structures,” he concluded. “But I wonder what beorc lived here.”

“And what happened to them as well as the village,” Ike added. “Let’s take a look around.” With that, the group split up to explore the ruined village, which appeared to have been roughly the same size as the town Ranulf and Elincia had passed through to get up the mountain. There were a number of what had no doubt used to be shops, but the majority of the buildings looked like small houses. A few other homes looked like they’d been larger. For awhile, the group deemed the ruined village as not much to look at or anything of importance or significance. Nothing seemed to be particularly interesting at all and there was no clue to what could have caused the destruction of the village or disappearance of its inhabitants. Ike was about ready to give up when he fixed his attention upon a small plateau that was elevated at least fifty feet higher than the rest of the ruins. It held something not yet seen.

“Hey, come look at this!” Ike called to his companions. “I’ll bet you anything that was once a temple.” As the others approached Ike to see what he found, he pointed to the tall building sitting upon the plateau, which was half destroyed. Still, of what was left, the group could make out two steeples, a large door, and some high walls. Elincia looked closer to verify Ike’s hypothesis.

“So it is. But all temples have a purpose. What was this one used for, I wonder?” she asked.

“Well, all we can do is check it out,” Ike replied. “There’s a path to it over that way built into the side of the cliff. Who knows, maybe we’ll find a clue.” He pointed to the stairway that was carved into the side of the plateau which the front of the temple faced. Marc and Leona dismounted their horses and the group walked carefully up the old staircase, reaching the top within a short time. Once the entire group was on the plateau, they began walking towards the high doorway of the ruined temple. They hadn’t gotten very far, however, when Azura suddenly tripped over a rock stuck in the ground and let out a small yelp. As she’d lost her balance and fell, a gold pendant had dropped from her neck and landed in the rocky terrain.

“Azura, are you alright?” Ike said, coming to help if necessary.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” Azura replied, quickly snatching up the pendant. Ike easily noticed it anyway.

“Hey, where did that come from?” Ranulf asked, before Ike could say something about it himself.

“Oh, this is just a memento from my mother. She’s the only family I have left from what I know. We’re both from Galden,” Azura explained, making sure the pendant hadn’t gotten dirty. “I’ve had this pendant with me and around my neck for as long as I can remember.” The gold pendant was in the shape of a strange spiral symbol that Ike and the others had never seen before, but other than that, it looked like an average gold pendant. When Ike turned around to continue to the temple door, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

“Hey, look!” Ike exclaimed, pointing to a spot above the tall door. A large symbol had been inscribed there. The others turned their attention to it, but it was Azura who had the greatest reaction to it. When she looked where Ike was pointing and gasped with the feeling of shock running through her veins, she couldn’t believe the sight she saw before her. For when she held the pendant up next to the view she had to compare, Azura saw that the two spiral-like symbols were exactly the same.

Well over a day has passed, so now it's time for chapter 4. :]


Chapter 4: The Quest Begins

“How…how can this be?” Azura said, the feeling of shock still running through her veins. “I mean…this pendant came from my mother’s family in Galden.” Ike brought his hand to his chin and thought for a minute as his eyes shifted back and forth between the symbol on the temple and Azura’s pendant. Different ideas were coming to his mind, but he wasn’t sure which to consider first. There could be a number of possible explanations for the whole thing, and what to think first was the big question in the mercenary’s brainstorming mind.

“Hmm…Azura, what do you know of your past?” Ike inquired, hoping to gain some evidence supporting any of his theories.

“Well, not a lot, to be honest. Everything I know is from my mother,” Azura began. “I’m her only child. She said my father died in a war years ago and that she gave me the pendant when I was young. She also said it had been passed through her family for generations.” Azura continued on to say that her mother’s family had grown up in Galden and that her father was from another town closer to Aracion, but none that had been in the mountains. Upon hearing the explanation, everybody could see that it did not connect with the symbol finding. Ike decided that there was only one choice to make.

“Strange indeed. I think something fishy is going on,” he said. “The best thing we can do is go talk to your mother about this. Do you think you could arrange that?”

“Yes, that should be fine. Mother is home most of her time,” Azura replied. “I’d like to talk with her as well myself.”

“Are you sure? We’ll be strangers to her,” Elincia pointed out.

“I’m positive. Mother won’t mind if she knows I trust all of you,” Azura assured. With that, the group turned around and began to make their way back towards the cave they’d come through. The trip back to Galden was a bit of a long one since everyone had come quite a distance in the first place. At first it seemed like the trip would be a safe one and nothing of any major significance would happen. As the group approached the outskirts of Galden, however, they could immediately sense more trouble. Cries for help began to be heard coming from the streets, and when Ike, Azura, and company started into town, they noticed more ruffians attacking the locals this time. Immediately speeding up their pace, the group headed towards the town square, hoping to find the cause of all this.

“Dear gods, what has become of our fair Galden?” Azura asked when she saw what was happening in the town square. An even larger force of bandits were present there, some with axes, some with swords, and a leader was commanding them to deal with a large group of nearby locals, who were struggling to resist and fight back. Azura and Ike both decided that this was completely outrageous and cruel, and stepped up in defense of the town. Ranulf, Elincia, and the others followed. The local townspeople raised their spirits when they took note of the group’s presence.

“Azura…is this the kind of action you meant you dealt with?” Elincia asked.

“Definitely not,” Azura replied, focusing her attention on the bandits afterward. “Hey! How dare you attack our town like this?!”

“Well, well, if it ain’t little miss Redhead an’ her sellswords from the mountains,” the boss replied. “Ya may have won up there, but ya definitely ain’t gonna take us out ‘ere!”

“Oh yeah? Why don’t you try saying that to my blade?!” Azura retorted.

“Gosh, it’s like a whole organization of bandits out there,” Marc said in disappointment. “How could all of these people steep so low?”

“Who knows? Whatever it is, these morons want revenge on us for earlier,” Ike replied. “But sellswords, eh? Now where have I heard that before?” His sarcastic tone didn’t help Azura.

“Ike, c’mon, this is no time for small talk!” she said. “We need to deal with these fools.”

“Oh, I’m with you all the way. I’m only being shown that these guys are as stupid as the bandits you see in Tellius,” Ike explained. “Everyone, get ready to fight!”

Once the entire group formed up, the bandits turned their attention to their opponents and ignored the mostly fleeing townsfolk. The few locals that hadn’t run decided to stay and watch the battle. Leona stayed close to the front due to her lance having an advantage over the sword users. Elincia’s own sword would be vital for the axe ruffians and stood by the lance knight. The battle began within minutes as the sound of axe, sword, and lance clashed in the fighting. Because of his superior skill, Ike was able to take down his opponents with fair ease, though he could plainly notice that despite them being no more intelligent, they were considerably stronger than any bandits he’d encountered in Tellius.

The battle continued to go on as the group plunged their weapons into bandit after bandit. However, after every other bandit would suffer defeat, more would show up where the previous once were. Over time, Azura, Ike, and company began to sustain injuries, but would never give up. The bandits were not really all tough, surely they could handle it. Still, the reinforcements could be even tougher than their predecessors. Eventually, Ranulf decided to speak up about the situation, now having a few small gashes on himself from a sword.

“It’s like it’ll never end. How much longer do you think we can keep this up?” he asked.

“I don’t know, Ranulf, but we mustn’t give in! We have to fight to the bitter end no matter what!” Azura encouraged.

“Yeah, eventually these guys have to give up and admit they’re no match for us anyway,” Ike added. Still concerned, Ranulf continued to battle in spite of it.

Just minutes later, however, two figures emerged from a street nearby. They did not look like bandits at all, to Azura and Ike’s pleasure. One was a soldier with olive green hair who wielded a steel lance. The other was a light blue-haired young man, an archer to be exact, who was accompanying the soldier. They put annoyed looks on their faces when they saw Azura and Ike’s group battling the numerous bandit enemies. Yet, at the same time, they looked rather satisfied at something as well.

“Ah, finally! The main force!” the soldier exclaimed. “Skye, it’s time we ended this nonsense once and for all. You ready?”

“Right by you, Captain Bryan. Men! Finish these ruffians! Do not harm the other warriors!” the archer added. With that, a small squadron of foot units appeared where the bandit reinforcements normally would have and killed almost all of them. The ones who remained simply stood there in shock and fear. However, the boss remained at his post and the soldier approached him. However, neither of them looked very happy at all. The soldier readied his lance with confidence.

“Ya fool! How dare ya bring my lads ta their knees?!” he snapped in anger.

“We’ll bring down even more of them if you don’t surrender immediately,” the soldier replied. “Attacking an entire town for a single person is foolhardy!” But the bandit boss would not give in easily.

“Oh yeah? Never! Not ‘til we get what we want from that redheaded twit!”

“Then you can kiss your rear end good bye, ruffian. I will not let you harm anymore of these people!” With that, the soldier engaged in battle and defeated the boss in a matter of minutes despite the fact that axes had an advantage over lances. And even with that, the soldier did sustain an injury, but had it healed up right away by a healer in the squadron. With the fighting finally over, the soldier, archer, and Ike and Azura’s group gathered in the town square. Ike and Azura hoped to gain some info on the ones who aided them.

“Thank you so much for aiding us,” Azura said. “That was impressive battling. We might have been in big trouble had you and your soldiers not shown up.”

“No problem. It’s part of my job, miss,” the soldier replied with a smile. “Say, aren’t you that red-headed mercenary the bandits have been looking for lately? What’s up with that?”

“What? I-I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Azura stammered.

“Azura, come on now. You just got captured by them a little while ago,” Ike lectured. “I’m curious as to what the story is behind all this myself.”

“Sigh…alright, I suppose you deserve to know,” Azura gave in. “But I can’t tell you out here in public. I don’t want it to be known to anyone else.”

“That’s understandable,” Ike agreed. He turned to the soldier and archer and asked, “Now who are you, exactly?”

“Ah, we never made introductions, did we? I’m Bryan, commander of Talgria’s third platoon of soldiers,” the soldier said. “This here is Skye, my aid.”

“Pleasure, Sir Ike,” the archer said with a smile.

“Now how—oh that’s right. Anyone around here ought to know who I am,” Ike replied with a chuckle.

“Yeah, we figured that’s who we were helping. It’s an honor to meet you,” Bryan explained. “But wait, you have an axe in your hand…I heard you were a master swordsman.”

“Oh, that I am,” Ike assured. Then he explained the incident that occurred on the mountain as well as the details on Azura’s capture. Ike also told the tale of what had happened to his and Ranulf’s camp. The stories baffled Bryan and Skye, yet at the same time they also interested them. A frown formed on Bryan’s face, which indicated to the group that he had a bad feeling about the current situation. Ike asked him if there was something wrong.

“I’m not sure. It’s just that this is such a coincidence,” Bryan replied. He went on to explain that there were problems being tended to up in Aracion, Talgria’s capital city, that could possibly be related, but they were being kept so secret that not even the Talgrian Royal Knights know exactly what’s going on. All the soldiers know is that a good deal of them were dispatched to go on a search for a red-haired girl wearing a gold pendant. They had no clue why they’re looking for such a person.

“That’s…is that me?” Azura asked.

“I believe so. Though I wasn’t assigned to such a task, it’s fortunate that we’ve crossed paths anyway.”

“Indeed. We were going to see Azura’s mother about some of these details,” Ike replied. “I have a good feeling the woman will be able to give us important information.”

“Then we must speak with her at once,” Bryan insisted. “These ruins you mentioned have to have something to do with his majesty’s intentions.”

With that, Azura led the group to her mother’s house on another road in town. It was a small, quaint place, just like any average home in Galden. Azura advised most of the group to wait outside so her mother won’t feel crowded, sighed with slight nervousness, and opened the door. She looked at her pendant once more, wondering if it could possibly be more than what she thought it was. While Azura was inside, Marc and Leona conversed in their own time as they waited for the next move. Marc sighed with nervousness as well, which got Leona curious.

“This feels so weird. If this is an old woman we’re trying to get information from, I swear I’m going to faint,” he said.

“Oh stop it. Why are you always so antsy around old hags?” Leona asked in annoyance. “It isn’t like they’re going to murder you or anything.”

“I really don’t know. They creep me out for some reason.”

“Ugh. Come on. They’re just women who’ve aged.”

“Yeah, aged to the point where they look like creepy old witches.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. How come old men don’t look like creepy old coots then, huh?”

“Old men? Ha, they’re even weirder.”

“Sigh…Sometimes I think you’re the weird one, Marc…”

Azura came out just moments later and motioned Ike, Ranulf, Elincia, and Bryan to follow her inside the house. The room was nicely furnished and cleaned up, causing the five to be careful not to mess up anything. Paintings hung upon the wall while a small fireplace sat in the living room. A Brave Sword, one of the strongest forgeable weapons in existence, hung over the mantel of the fireplace as a memento while other display objects sat below it. A small couch, chair, rug, and other basic living room furniture furnished the living room in which the five warriors stood. Azura’s mother, a rather middle-aged looking woman with brown hair, walked out of the kitchen to greet them, looking somewhat surprised. Just as Ike suspected, she bore no family resemblance to Azura whatsoever.

“So these are your new friends, Azura dear? Pleased to meet you all,” the woman greeted with a smile. “I’m Lorelle, Azura’s mother. What can I do for you fine young warriors?”

“The pleasure is ours. I’m Ike, the hero from Tellius,” Ike replied. “We were hoping you could tell us something about the pendant Azura wears.”

“Oh? Whatever for?”

“We found ruins of an old town in the mountains,” Azura replied. “The symbol that my pendant takes the shape of is carved onto the temple there. Bandits have been looking for me for a long time as well. From what you’ve told me of my past, none of this makes sense.”

“My men and I also think it’s related to a situation currently occurring in Aracion,” Bryan added. Lorelle didn’t reply immediately. Instead she put a shameful look on her face and sighed with grief. Everyone could tell she had a story to share.

“I knew this day would come. Azura…I have a confession to make,” she replied. “I lied to you about your history. I’m…I’m not your real mother.”

“Wh-what?!” Azura gasped.

“I’m truly sorry. The truth is…I adopted you. That pendant you wear was never in my family either. I have no idea where it came from, to be honest.”

“I…I can’t believe it.”

“Just as I thought,” Ike replied. “Please, tell us more.”

“I’m interested as well,” Ranulf added. Lorelle agreed and began her story. She explained that not long after her late husband was killed, she found a basket on her doorstep one early morning when the rain was falling hard. Tucked inside was a baby girl who wore a strange, yet beautiful pendant around her neck. Lorelle was about to take the baby inside when the noticed the body of a young red-haired woman lying not more than a foot away from the basket. Assuming she had been the baby’s biological mother, Lorelle took pity upon checking to see if she was really dead, and brought the baby inside the house. Once she removed the baby from the soiled basket, she found a parchment note tucked in the blanket. It begged to protect the child, whose name was Azura, and the pendant at all costs, but nothing more.

“So…you suggested I become a mercenary and learn the ways of the sword so I could protect this pendant?” Azura wondered.

“Yes. I do not know more than that,” Lorelle finished. “But you’ve done well to guard it for so long. I only wish I could help you.”

“Oh, but you have, Mother. You’ve helped by raising me and encouraging me to come as far as I have,” Azura replied.

“Really? Thank you…very much, dear.”

“Ahem. I apologize for interrupting this heart-warming conversation, but his majesty will probably like to hear this information,” Bryan interrupted. “I must be going immediately.”

“Hey now, Bry—” Elincia started as Bryan went out the door without a reply. “Ugh, I’m sorry. You’ll have to excuse him, Lorelle.”

“It’s alright. I suppose I deserve it anyway for being such a liar to the closest thing I ever had to a child,” Lorelle replied with sorrow.

“Nonsense, Mother. I can see why you would keep it hidden from me,” Azura protested. “I enjoyed my life with you too much to take secrets like these. I’m glad you lied.”

“…You are?”

“Yes.”

“I’m…touched. Thank you, again.” This time it was Ike’s turn to make an interruption.

“Well, since we’ve heard what we came to hear, we may as well go catch up with Bryan,” he proposed. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Lorelle.”

“Oh you too, Sir Ike,” Lorelle agreed with a smile. “You all take care and be careful out there now!”

“We will.” After his last words, Ike and the rest of the group went back outside to rejoin Marc, Leona, and Skye, who’d stood out in front the entire time. Remembering his broken sword, Ike brought out both halves of Ettard and sighed. He spotted Bryan just several feet away up the road, and with that the group followed him onward to catch up with the third platoon captain. Azura had hopes of him and Skye aiding them some more since they had apparent ties to the king of Talgria. They halted when Bryan finally stopped his own walking. Ike stepped ahead and spoke first.

“Bryan, wait a minute,” he said. “We need to go to Aracion too. Mind if we join you?”

“Not at all. In fact, I was just about to come back and ask you the same thing myself,” Bryan replied with a smile. “And you ought to find a blacksmith to fix that sword.” He frowned upon noticing the two halves of Ettard.

“Yeah, I wanted to ask you about that too. I’d like it re-forged as soon as possible,” Ike agreed. “You know where I can find a smith?”

“As a matter of fact, I happen know a really good one who lives in a town on the way to Aracion,” Bryan delightedly said. “This guy’ll fix that right up in no time. He can even turn it into a top-notch blade for you.”

“Sounds like he’s the real deal.”

“Oh indeed. Now let’s get going. His majesty will want to see Azura as soon as he can. We’ll be your escorts if you don’t know the way.”

“Well, Marc and Leona might, seeing as they’re knights of Talgria,” Ike pointed out. “But we’d be grateful if all of you were our escorts, since bandits will obviously be looking for us right now.”

“That’s correct. We do know the way and would love to help out,” Marc agreed. “Right, Leona?”

“Of course,” Leona replied. “General Leyon wants us back as soon as possible though, so we need to waste no time. He originally sent Marc and myself to investigate Galden for clues to the bandit organization. That’s one reason we came to help you in the first place. The other reason, well, we saw you were in big trouble.”

“General Leyon? I assume he’s the commander of Talgria’s Royal Knights?” Azura guessed.

“Correct again. We ought to get started if we’re to arrive before daylight tomorrow though. That’s when he expects us,” Marc added, pointing out that it was late afternoon.

“Alright, then we’ll take your advice and leave immediately,” Ike agreed. “If no one else has a problem with it, that is.”

“Nope, ‘tis fine with me and Skye,” Bryan confirmed. “We’re used to having to do that at times anyway.”

“Same here,” Ranulf agreed.

“I don’t mind either,” Elincia added.

“Well, that settles it then,” Ike replied. “Let’s go.” With that, the group made for the paths leading in the direction of Aracion, where Castle Talgria stood high and mighty. However, no one could guarantee that there wouldn’t be any interruptions to slow them down along the way, and stayed prepared for any possible fight to come.


I'm still working on chapter 5, so it may take more than a day.

Gosh, no comments here either? No one has said anything for my other fanfics in a long time. D: I'm really hoping for some soon...

Also, here's a new chapter. I've also added a theme song at the first post. (btw, Ryin is pronounced "REE-in")


Chapter 5: A Dead End

Although by now it was around midday, the sun high in the middle of the sky, no one in Ike and Azura’s group let the approaching exhaustion from that morning’s battles get to them. The foot of the mountain range was not much more of a distance away, and all were eager to get through. However, because of the incidents that had already occurred within these mountains, the group was sure they wouldn’t be coming out peacefully. Bandits were most likely still in the area and frantically searching for Azura for whatever reasons they have. As the high mountains seemed to grow bigger in the distance, Bryan turned his attention to his comrades.

“Oh, Sir Ike, Miss Azura. There’s one thing I forgot to mention,” he said.

“Oh?” Ike wondered.

“Yeah…um…I don’t know if this would come off as problem for all of us, but my platoon is currently missing a valuable member,” Bryan explained. “He somehow got separated from the group not long before we found you and that huge group of bandits in town.”

“That’s not good…” Azura said. “I wonder what could have caused that.”

“So do I. Well, we’ll be sure to keep an eye out for him anyway,” Ike replied. “I assume he’ll have armor similar to what your men wear?”

“Correct,” Bryan confirmed. “I just hope nothing serious has happened to him. He’s one of my strongest soldiers.”

“That would definitely be a good reason to find him as soon as possible,” Azura replied.

It was only a matter of time before the group was close to the foot of the mountain range. The mountains rose up high above the horizon, their rocky peaks towering above and blocking out the sun, making them appear to be silhouettes. It would be tough hiking through the long mountain trails, going both up and down slopes and hilly areas, but everyone in the group was willing to press on. However, when they approached the nearest mountain to them, something out of the ordinary was seen in the distance.

“Hey…look over there,” Ranulf said, pointing to a small encampment situated at the foothills. Closer inspection began to reveal a group of figures, standing by the largest tent. However, one of the figures did not look anything like part of the group, which consisted of bandits upon an even closer look. It was a dark haired man wearing large armor and he had been tied to a post. Bryan’s eyes opened wider upon seeing who it was and gasped.

“Hey, it’s Morris!” he said to himself. “He’s the soldier that went missing. How could he have gotten in the hands of these bandits?”

“I’m not sure, but we need to save him, captain,” Skye replied. “I think he’s injured.”

“And a lot of these ruffians have steel axes…” Bryan added. “That’ll not do for my lance, even if I’m stronger than they are. What to do…”

“We’ll rescue him for you,” Azura offered. “It’s no trouble at all. Right, Ike?”

“Of course. This makes me wish I had my sword even more, but an axe is better than a lance,” Ike agreed.

“Oh, thank you,” Bryan replied. “Then Skye and I will go sneak around the back and see if we should find any more of these clowns up ahead.”

“Good idea. We’ll meet you up the trail,” Ike decided. With that, the group lined up at the entrance to the camp while Bryan and Skye took a small path around to the other side in order to be unnoticed. Once they disappeared further into the mountain trail, Ike and Azura discussed a strategy for taking on the bandits numbers while the group still hid from sight. Compared to how many sword users were available on the side of Ike and Azura, the bandits definitely had the advantage.

“Hey Ike, I say we ambush them. They don’t look very prepared for a battle,” Azura suggested, pointing out how the bandits were close together, seemingly not wanting to protect their territory.

“You’re right, they don’t. You and Elincia probably aren’t enough to create an advantage either,” Ike agreed. “An ambush is all I can think of myself. Let’s do it.” Everyone else went along with the plan. Since Marc and Leona were the only horseback riders in the group, they went first due to their traveling speed. Almost on instant, they plunged their weapons into the nearest bandits they could find. Ike, Azura, and Ranulf followed up behind them and attacked whoever remained. As expected, the leader of this bandit troop had his attention caught when he heard screams coming from ahead.

“Huh?! What in tarnation is goin’ on?!” he gasped.

“Ahh! We’re bein’ ambushed!” another bandit hollered just before getting struck down by Ike’s axe himself. The rest of the bandit troop, including the leader, turned their attention to their attackers. The leader smiled upon who he was facing right there in his camp.

“Well what do ya know? If it ain’t the pesky sellswords who beat Azirk’s guys back ‘n that pathetic town,” he said. “Finish ‘em off, lads! Show ‘em what we do when our buddies take a beatin’ from worms like ‘em!” With that, the other bandits immediately gripped their weapons and rushed into the battle. Ike sighed and tried to keep his cool upon hearing the word “sellsword” again.

“That sellswords insult is really getting on my nerves,” Ike said to himself as he approached an axe ruffian.

“Well ain’t that too bad fer you,” the ruffian replied and clashed his own axe with Ike’s. “Cause it’s what the lot of ya are!”

“Oh please,” Ike retorted and snuck his axe’s blade into the ruffian’s gut right after he spoke.

The battle continued on as the group cut their way through the bandits that were attacking them. A larger group surrounded Morris, who put a relieved look on his face when he saw the warriors who were there to rescue him. He started trying to break free of the ropes which binded him to the post, but it was no use. Even a man as big as him did not possess enough strength to break free. The only other thing he could do was speak to make sure the warriors fighting against the bandits were indeed there to rescue him and called out to them as loudly as he could.

“Hey! You, over there!” Morris called out in hopes he was heard.

“Hm?” Azura replied, having been closest to the captured man.

“Are you here to rescue me?” Morris asked.

“Why yes. I believe your commanding officer asked us to,” Azura replied.

“Oh, Captain Bryan sent you? Thank you! I figured he’d find me sooner or later,” Morris said with a sigh of relief. “Gosh I have a lot of explaining to do…”

“Well, save it for later! Right now we need to finish what we’ve started!” Azura commented.

The battle raged on until finally they reached the head bandit responsible for Morris’s capture. The objective was to rescue Morris and then rejoin Bryan, so if the group was lucky, they could escape before the leader could catch them. Ike quickly went for Morris’s ropes first, only to be stopped in his path by a hand axe flying right past him as he dodged. Azura took advantage of this and attempted to sneak around to the rope’s knot, but a ruffian who had been hidden jumped her.

“Graaah!” Azura gasped as she was tackled to the ground.

“Lady Azura!” Marc exclaimed, having seen what happened. He quickly tossed a Javelin right into the ruffian’s gut, piercing him critically enough for a kill. Feeling strange that she’d been called “lady,” Azura quickly rushed to her feet and drove her blade through the knot of Morris’s ropes, setting him free. He rushed to the sidelines as quickly as he could due to having no weapon on him. By now, the bandit leader was on his own, his comrades having fallen to their enemies, leaving Ike free to dispel of his life with a cut of his axe.

“Augghh… Damn you, sellswords!” the dying man said. “This ain’t the last…you’ll see of us…” He fell over and departed to the afterlife as he said his final words.

“Wow, this group was weak. How did one such as yourself managed to get captured by them?” Ike wondered, walking up to Morris.

“It’s an odd story,” Morris replied. “I gave chase to these very same bandits back in Galden, only to get separated from the captain and the other troops. They led me right into a trap, which was a larger group of enemies, and here we are.”

“Well…I have to admit, I’ve underestimated these creeps,” Ike commented. “I never thought they’d be smart enough to even know what weapon trumps what.”

“I thought the same…” Morris admitted. “Hey…hold the arrows! Aren’t you the legendary Ike? That hero I’ve heard about from Tellius?”

“That I am,” Ike replied. “But enough small talk. We need to go rejoin your captain up ahead.”

“Oh right. I’m just so surprised he’s teamed up with you of all people!” Morris said. “By the way, I forgot to mention one more thing. Those ruffians took my weapon and who knows what they did with it. I’m going to need a new sword if I’m going to battle again.”

“Hmm…that will be a problem if we were to run into anymore trouble,” Ike realized. “Trust me. I know how you feel.” He’d been reminded once again of his broken sword.

It did not take a lot of time for the group to find Bryan and Skye on another stretch of mountain trail. They started passing by the dead corpses of other bandits, suggesting the two had met more of them while the rest of the group battled to free Morris. It wasn’t hard to define the dead bodies as corpses either due to the clothing and weapons. They were ragged, torn, and appeared to be quite worn out. Many of the bodies had axes and swords nearby, the common bandit weapons. Bryan and Skye were waiting and leaning up against a rocky wall at the end of this corpse line. Ike and Azura approached them first while the rest of the group followed behind.

“Wow, Bryan. I take it you two ran into more morons back here?” Ike assumed.

“Boy, did we!” Bryan replied. “This big group was trying to go help the ones you were fighting.”

“Really? Good thing you decided to go ahead then,” Ike commented.

“You’d better believe it. I have a feeling we still haven’t seen the last of this so called bandit organization, though,” Bryan said. “We’d better get moving or else we’ll get into more trouble.”

“Agreed,” Ike replied as the group resumed their journey. “We freed Morris, by the way.”

“Ah, good. I knew I could count on you guys,” Byran said with a smile. “Morris, how did you get over here anyhow?”

“I’m so sorry, captain,” Morris replied, and gave Bryan the same story he’d told Ike on the way.

“I see…” Bryan said. “Well, next time, tell me when you’re going to go on a wild goose chase. Please.”

“Haha, of course, sir,” Morris agreed.

“He also told me that those bandits took his sword from him,” Ike added. “Are we getting close to that town you mentioned to me earlier?”

“Ah, yes. As a matter of fact, we are,” Bryan replied. “Narcoss is just down this mountain.”

“Oh, excellent,” Ike responded with pleasure. “I’m starting to miss using my sword. I just hope I won’t be delaying us too long.”

“Nah,” Bryan assured. “The blacksmith I’m acquainted with knows how to work not only very well, but time wise too.”

“Oh? Wonderful.”

The last stretch of mountain trail before the town of Narcoss wasn’t much compared to what the group had been trekking through before. Instead of rocky and lumpy terrain, they were headed down a more smooth, dirt road with trees and plants on the side. Ike was rather surprised to see such a thing, as the mountains back in Tellius were so steep, rocky, and sometimes high that no plants could grow on them at all. In fact, it didn’t feel much like he was on a mountain at all, especially when the group finally reached the town of Narcoss, which was bigger than the average mountain town seemed to be in Talgria.

Instead of just a small neighborhood with only a shop here and there, Narcoss was more like Galden. It had a little market area where the shops and inns were located. Houses here were somewhat larger than in the other little mountain villages, and obviously, Narcoss itself was more populous. People strode about the sidewalks and pathways every which way, minding their business. Whenever they saw the group of warriors arriving into their town, some gave surprised or rather strange looks, particularly when they set eyes on Ike. Ike, getting a bit red in the cheeks about it, did his best to act natural. The entire group came to a halt when Bryan led them to a blacksmith’s place near the market.

“Well, here you are, Ike,” Bryan said upon their arrival. “Go in and ask for a man named Ryin. He’s the one who will fix your sword up pronto.”

“Alrighty. I’ll try not to be too long,” Ike replied, and opened the building’s door.

The place belonged to a blacksmith alright. It smelled heavily of metal, smoke, and flames. Hand-made blades of different shapes decorated some of the walls. Several books sat on a small shelf below them, probably containing information about forging weapons. Chunks of different metals such as iron and steel sat against another wall. As Ike walked by his surroundings, he was about to speak and make his arrival noticeable when a young boy who appeared to be in his early teen years spotted him. However, he didn’t speak for several seconds.

“Ah! I…um, can I help you, sir?” the boy finally asked.

“Yeah. I believe I’m looking for a man called Ryin?” Ike inquired. “I was directed here by an acquaintance named Bryan.”

“Oh, okay. Hold on for a sec,” the boy replied. He immediately bolted towards the back of the building.

“Mr. Ryin! Mr. Ryin! You’re not going to believe who’s here to see us!” the boy could be heard shouting from another room.

“Whoa, slow down there, Kye. Who’s here?” an older man’s voice replied. The boy returned with said man, who appeared to be around the same age as Ike’s deceased father, who had been in his late thirties at the time of his death. The aged-looking light blonde hair revealed it all too well. Yet, the man was about the same height as Ike, if not shorter. The man stopped in his tracks when he saw his newest customer standing before him. His eyebrows rose upon instant. Ike could guess exactly what he was thinking.

“Well I’ll be,” the man said. “So it’s true. The hero Ike has come to Altarais. Many folks were saying you’ve been spotted in Galden.”

“Well, they’re right,” Ike confirmed. “This “oh wow, it’s Ike” business is getting old though.”

“Haha, I don’t blame you,” the man replied. “I’d bet being this famous could get annoying. I’m Ryin and this boy is my apprentice, Kye. What can I do for you?”

“I came to get my broken sword re-forged, thanks to your friend, Bryan helping me out,” Ike explained. “Take a look.” With that, Ike produced the two halves of Ettard once more. Ryin’s eyes widened upon what he saw. Cracks were all over the areas of the two halves where Ettard had snapped, and a zig-zag pattern outlined the same area, making the blade half take a shape similar to a pine tree.

“Whoa. Anyone who could break a blade like this must really do some intense fighting,” he commented. “How’d you manage to make this happen?”

“Well, it wasn’t really my fault…” Ike replied. He then told the entire story of Ettard being stolen, then Ike fighting with an axe to get it back, only to have his opponent accidentally break the sword by causing a rockslide to fall on it.

“Wow. No wonder the break looks so bad. It isn’t anything I can’t handle though,” Ryin commented. “And just for you, since you’re such a special warrior and a new friend of Bryan’s, I can do this job for free. I’ll make it an even more powerful weapon than before!”

“Oh? Great! Thanks,” Ike said with pleasure.

“By the way, is Bryan here? I’d like to see how the soldier is doing,” Ryin continued.

“Sure, everyone who’s with us is outside,” Ike replied. As he and Ryin headed for the front door, leaving Ettard’s two halves behind on a worktable, Kye began to follow and spoke up first.

“Hey, Ike! Is my big brother with you too? You know, his name is Skye,” he asked.

“Him? He’s your brother?” Ike inquired.

“Yep! Kye and Skye. We actually like our similar names!” Kye replied.

“I see. He’s with us too.”

“Awesome!”

Upon arriving outside, the first thing Ike noticed was that some of the group had disappeared. Only Ranulf, Azura, Bryan, and Skye remained. Marc, Leona, and Morris were nowhere in sight. Wondering where the rest of the team had gone off to, Ike decided to inquire about that matter first.

“Hey, where is everybody?” he asked.

“Oh, there you are, Ike,” Bryan replied. “The others went to stock up on some food and supplies. I see Ryin has come out with you.”

“Yep! How are things with you and the soldiers, buddy?” Ryin asked with a smile.

“Oh, swell. My platoon came to Galden to do what we had to and easily triumphed. Of course, then we had to clean up yet again another one of Morris’s messes…” Bryan recalled.

“Morris? Haha, isn’t he the lug who seems to get into trouble every now and then?” Ryin wondered.

“Yep, that’s him,” Byran confirmed. “We’re on another mission now, one that wasn’t actually supposed to fall to us, but even so, we’re doing it.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, we’re escorting Azura here to Aracion to meet with King Talgria,” Ike explained. The whole story spanning the events starting with Elincia and Ranulf finding Ike and Azura in the mountains to the point they were at now was given to Ryin, who listened carefully and heard every word. However, in the end, his smile turned into a frown of disappointment. At first, Ryin was reluctant to say anything, but eventually spoke up anyway.

“That’s one good bit of a story there,” he said. “But I’m afraid coming here won’t do you much.”

“What do you mean?” Ranulf asked, having been the one to explain the camp disaster.

“The path from here out of the mountains that leads to Aracion is blocked up.”

“What?!” Bryan exclaimed in shock.

“But how?” Azura added.

“No idea. Probably a rockslide. We found it like that just recently, right after we heard some crashing the other day,” Ryin explained. “And as you probably know, the mountains to the south of here are plagued with bandits while the ones up north are impassable.”

“This is just wonderful,” Bryan retorted, his happy mood suddenly turning angry.

“Well, now what do we do?” Ranulf asked. “We can’t go through bandit land or else we’ll probably be suffering unneeded casualties.”

“True…” Azura replied. “I guess we’ll have to head out of the mountains, go north through the Talgrian forests, and then into Eraghoa. Perhaps we can find some help there. It really is our only option. We can’t take a boat either because bandits are possibly looking for me in this entire area.”

“As much as I’d hate to admit it, she’s right,” Bryan agreed. “We have to search for some aid where those bandits haven’t been yet. This really makes me angry though. What’s our king going to think of all this?”

“Who knows. But he shouldn’t be upset with any of us since it wasn’t our fault we’re going to be late,” Ike pointed out.

“Also, we can probably hide ourselves easily in that forest,” Ranulf added. “And avoid as little trouble as possible.”

Upon Ranulf’s tip, everyone agreed with Azura’s idea of going to Eraghoa. Eraghoa to the north was the home of the continent’s wolf laguz, a race Ike, Ranulf, and Elincia had seen little of in Tellius. Only twice were they seen in Tellius, once when Ike took down the wolf king, and a second time when they met the queen, Nailah and one of her servants, Volug. They aided in the war against Ashera. The secret about the wolf king must have been kept a secret from Nailah to prevent any trouble, especially since Ike had directly been the king’s killer himself.

“So, I guess we’re going to stay the night here and make for Eraghoa tomorrow?” Elincia asked. “It’s getting much too late to start now, and we’ve done so much traveling already.” As Elincia had said, the time was now towards evening. No one had noticed the sky beginning to grow dark until that moment.

“Yeah, it’s best that we do that too,” Bryan agreed. “Luckily, I had my troops station a camp just outside of this town. I’ll let you all bunk with us for the night.”

“Ah, thanks. I was wondering how we’d find a place to stay on such short notice,” Ike replied. “Then in the morning, I’ll pick up my sword and we can get out of here. Sound good?”

“Works for me,” Bryan agreed. “Skye, why don’t you go inform the others?”

“Sure thing,” Skye replied. “I’ll meet you at camp, alright?”

“No problem.”

Originally Posted by Crystal

Gosh, no comments here either? No one has said anything for my other fanfics in a long time. D: I'm really hoping for some soon...

I know how you're feeling, I get discouraged too when a long time passes and no one comments on my fanfic. But you've posted a lot so far and it'll take time for your readers to get through it all (I know I'm still working my way through it). And also leave open the possibility that you may have done a good enough job so far that no one has anything to say at this point and they're waiting to see how things develop.

So keep working on the story and maybe go 2-3 days before adding a new chapter.

I do like the graphic you have at the beginning of the story.

True. I was thinking people could read some, then comment on that, read some, comment on that, you know.

I usually do that myself because it takes time to read the stuff. But you're right, I'll consider that! :]

Originally Posted by Crystal

True. I was thinking people could read some, then comment on that, read some, comment on that, you know.

It would be great if everyone worked that way. But keep up the good work, I'll let you know what I think when I catch up to what you have posted.

Alright. I haven't even started on the next chapter yet, so you've got plenty of time. Heck, I let ten days go by between the last two. XD

The rating is for a little swearing, and of course, the violent war that's always happening in Fire Emblem tales. There's also some romance and mystery present, but the main genre is action/adventure.

An FE fic with an M rating for just swearing and violence?

Seems a bit overdone in a series with child murder and incest.

Aw dang, I missed a deleted comment. Oh well. xP

Chapter 6. Time to give Ike and Elincia's romance a little more attention.


Chapter 6: An Act of Thievery

While Bryan immediately took to leading his half of the group to where his platoon’s camp was located, Skye went on his search for the remaining members. Because Narcoss was about the same size as Galden, hunting everyone down would not be an easy task. However, Skye did not forget Bryan’s saying what they’d originally separated from the group to do, so it was very likely that they remained in the market. Not long after the archer walked off, something made him get a gut feeling that he was being followed. Unsure as to exactly what it was, Skye halted in his tracks. He hadn’t been given enough time to think, unfortunately.

“Wait up, big bro!” a voice behind him called out. Skye turned around to see his younger brother running after him.

“Ugh, not now…” he mumbled. “What do you want, Kye?”

“I just want to say hi, geez,” Kye replied, brushing his foot across the ground. “So, aren’t you feeling lucky to be hanging with Ike of all people?”

“…Ike is Ike. He doesn’t wish for people to constantly praise him for his deeds,” Skye explained. “Although, I admit I was surprised to find him…”

“But? Skye, he’s a legend!” Kye pointed out. “Anyone ought to feel lucky to work alongside with someone as great as Ike. Why, I almost asked him for an autograph.”

“Oh come off it. I don’t think he’s the type to do that.”

“Fine. I guess I wouldn’t want to end up being annoying anyway.”

“Psh, you already are,” Skye muttered to himself.

“What was that you said?!” Kye snapped. “I hope you weren’t mumbling about Ike under your breath, Blue Skye!”

“No. But it doesn’t matter what I said. Run along now and leave me to my business,” Skye ordered. “And if you don’t stop calling me that every time--

“Or what?”

“Or…argh! Just go do your job! I don’t have time for this,” Skye retorted, lost in thought. He turned around and attempted to resume his mission, Kye, however, still had one more thing to say as he followed his older brother once more.

“Aren’t you forgetting something, Skye?” Kye asked in a rather sneaky tone. Skye turned back around to find the boy’s hand holding up a steel bow. Kye began to dash away immediately, having plucked it from Skye’s back while he’d been turned around.

“Why you little—! Come back here!” Skye yelled, immediately picking up the pace to chase after.

***

The camp belonging to Bryan’s platoon was uncannily similar in layout to that of the bandits during Ike’s attempt to rescue his sword, which he ever so looked forward to using once again. The tents were in almost straight lines and each bore the same orange-brown color as the one standing next to it. However, layout was the only similarity and by far. The mere appearance alone suggested it belonged to Talgrian soldiers rather than ruffians, and the entire area even had a better aroma. Numerous soldiers in golden orange armor roamed the tents and pathways, some chatting with each other while others went about their business on their own.

Bryan led his newest allies towards the biggest tent situated in the camp, which was nearly twice the size the others were. On the way, he explained that he’d ordered his men to await him in this town while the group had gone to pay a visit to Lorelle. Once everyone had settled themselves inside on the surprisingly comfortable wooden chairs situated at the long table contained in the tent, they awaited the knowledge of which tents they’d be staying in. Bryan spoke up once more after a few more moments had passed.

“While we wait for Skye to return with the remainder of our group, I’ll put you four in tents first,” Bryan decided. “You’ll probably end up sharing with someone though. We only have so much room.” Ike and Elincia exchanged glances and smiles upon hearing Bryan’s words. Ranulf immediately read their minds.

“Uh oh…I can see where this is going,” he said in a sarcastically worried tone.

“Haha, indeed. Ike and Elincia would never mind sharing a tent,” Azura laughed.

“Yeah, you’ve read us…” Ike admitted, going very pink in the cheeks.

“Just behave yourselves in there, alright?” Ranulf replied as if he were talking to young children.

“Of course, Ranulf. What makes you think we wouldn’t?” Elincia asked, giggling as if she were the most perfect angel one would ever meet.

“The tone of your voice for one thing. For another, I was partially kidding,” Ranulf admitted. “You two have had practically no time alone together since you first reunited anyway. Still, don’t overdo it.”

“We won’t,” Ike replied, giving a promising smile. “Besides, I’d rather not in a tent anyway.” The group had forgotten that Bryan had no knowledge of the relationship between Ike and Elincia.

“Wait, back up. Are you two lovers?” he guessed.

“They sure are,” Azura replied, before Ike or Elincia could. “Aren’t they a cute couple?”

“Azura, come on, you’re embarrassing me,” Ike said, getting rosy cheeks once more.

“Aw, but it’s true, Ike!” Azura argued kindly. “Even though I haven’t even seen you two kiss yet, I think you’re adorable.”

“Oh yeah, you haven’t seen us kiss yet, have you?” Elincia added, giggling with excitement. “So far, Ranulf is the only one here. Why don’t we show you now?”

“Hey, I’m sure she—wait, what?” Ike replied, having caught what Elincia said a bit too late. “Elincia, what if other sol—” He didn’t get to finish his sentence. As Ike had been talking, Elincia’s face had moved closer to his own until their lips met in an interlocking embrace again. Ike knew very well he could never resist any moment his lips touched those of the woman he loved, and this case was no exception. Somehow, the moment felt exactly as it had three years before during the first time their lips ever met. Elincia had surprised Ike during that night as well, making the current moment almost a replay. Azura giggled at the sight of her two friends.

“Aw, they really are adorable together,” Azura commented.

“Women…” Ranulf mumbled under his breath and slouched over on the table.

“I heard that!” Azura retorted. By now, Ike, since he was seated directly next to her, had pulled Elincia into his slim, but fit lap, his large, muscular arms around her rather attractive waistline. Elincia herself had her hands firmly attached to Ike’s shoulders, even though one of them had to slip underneath the single shoulder guard he wore. Ranulf was as happy as ever for the reuniting of the two lovers embracing before him, but it did get a little old too fast, especially since he could never have either of the girls he loved from the very beginning.

“Are you two lovebirds ever going to be finished over there?” he asked, having seated himself right across the table from the two. “I’d be surprised if you didn’t kiss each other’s lips off.” Azura burst into laughter upon hearing Ranulf’s words. Ike and Elincia had just then let go of each other, and while she was still in his lap, Elincia added on to Azura’s reaction. Ike simply made a smirk.

“Very funny,” he said.

“Oh come on, Ike! That was funny! I guess we did go a little overboard this time though,” Elincia admitted, still smiling. “And I know what you were going to say. Since when did you care if other soldiers were watching? Remember when you suddenly kissed me before leaving to go deal with those wolves back in Tellius? The whole Crimean Army was watching. Even Geoffrey saw it!” With that, Elincia giggled once more while Ike’s cheeks when rosy for the third time.

“Well, I…th-that was different. I…uh, had a reason,” Ike stammered, embarrassment of hearing about that moment flowing through his veins.

“Oh, really?” Elincia replied, sarcasm easily detectable in her still giggling voice. Ike didn’t answer, but simply slid his hand over his face. By the goddess, I am an idiot, he thought. Although Ike really did have a reason at that time, being that he wanted to test Geoffrey’s reaction to such a scene and thinking he might have loved Elincia at the time as well, he had still been embarrassed by the way he’d responded to it in front of Azura, Ranulf, and Bryan.

“Ahem…well, if you all are finished, I’d like to tell you what tents you’ll be in,” Bryan cut in.

“Oh yeah, sorry about that,” Azura apologized.

“It’s fine. Now, I thought you four might want to be rather close together as well as closer to town, so you’ll be in the tents I have down that way,” Bryan announced. “I’ve also decided to move some other soldiers in the bigger tents so you all get a little more room. I also figure with how much we’ve traveled, you’ll be carrying more supplies. I also have a few extra tents that I could have pitched in case we still run out of space for everyone.”

“Sounds good to me,” Ranulf commented. Before anyone else had a chance to speak their opinion, the tent cover had burst open. In came Skye, having finally gotten his bow back as well as retrieved the remaining members of the group, huffing and puffing from doing as much running around as he had. A little sweat lined his forehead while dampened parts of his light blue hair stuck to his fair skin. Skye breathed in and out a few times before speaking.

“Sorry if I took too long,” he apologized. “But everyone’s here now.”

“Nah, you’re alright,” Bryan replied as Marc, Leona, and Morris had finally stepped inside. “You all wait here. I’ll be right back.” Bryan motioned Ike, Elincia, Ranulf, and Azura to follow him. The group of five passed through the tent’s cover and back into the blazing sunlight that shown upon the entire camp site. Immediately, Bryan began showing each one to their tent, each having been emptied for them. The one Ike and Elincia had taken stood at the far end of the line of tents on the left, close to where the group had originally entered in the beginning. Azura was across from them while Ranulf was to the direct right of the red-haired mercenary. Ike and Elincia almost instantly began to settle themselves inside their tent, having not had a chance to rest in quite sometime.

“My, am I glad to finally get this bag off of my shoulders,” Elincia spoke first, removing the dirty gold shoulder bag from around her body and dropping it in a corner. “I hadn’t packed much in there, but it was getting heavy anyway, especially since I never got the chance to let go of it after getting off that boat until now.”

“Ha, if you think that’s bad, try lugging around half a suit of armor for that long,” Ike countered. Elincia figured he was probably right. That shoulder guard alone had to weigh more than twice as much as the single chest plate Elincia wore nowadays, having gotten rid of her own shoulder guards before she departed Castle Crimea. Add the weight of Ike’s shin guards and single wrist guard, and Elincia came up with a result that definitely guaranteed Ike’s statement to be complete truth.

“Yeah, you’ve got a point there,” she smiled. “Speaking of which, why are you always only half-armored?”

“To trick the enemy. If they try attacking my unguarded side, I’ll surprise them by shifting around and letting them hit the armor instead,” Ike replied. “That way, I gain speed, and I save myself extra weight that would just slow me down.”

“Oh yeah, that makes a lot of sense,” Elincia agreed. “Sometimes I can’t believe you once said you’d never surpass your father, you know that? I really think you have.”

“Honestly? I still don’t think I can ever be the man he was,” Ike admitted.

“Nonsense. You’re every bit Master Greil was,” Elincia argued with a smile. “I can see why Titania had such affection for him.”

“And your point is?” Ike wondered.

“Ike, if you’re as equal as your father, then you’re as every bit as great as he was in every way,” Elincia said, moving closer to Ike. “But to me, you’re better than any warrior I’ve ever known.”

“Oh yeah? And what makes you say that?” Elincia didn’t answer Ike’s question in words. She simply let her arms slide across Ike’s shoulders once more and pressed her lips against his, engaging them both in another long and passionate kiss. It was all the answer Ike needed, and he knew it all too well, grasping Elincia’s waist once more.

“Well, I certainly can’t argue with that logic, now can I?” Ike said in a jokingly manner when they finally let go, a somewhat wide grin on his face. Elincia simply let out a happy giggle. Ike was about to say something more when a sudden piercing scream echoed forth throughout the camp site, seemingly originating from the tent right across from that which Ike and Elincia stood in. They nearly jumped upon the feminine cry as it scorched their ears.

“...That was Azura!” Ike realized, speaking first. “Come on!” Elincia was not hesitant to follow as Ike took her by the hand. They quickly bolted out of the tent, extremely worried expressions on their faces, and had themselves quickly halt at the entrance, only to be joined by Bryan, Ranulf, and the others, as well as several of the Talgrian soldiers. Azura’s scream had been too loud not for anyone in the site to hear.

“Azura, what’s wrong?” Ike called. “May we come in?”

“S-sure…” the frightened mercenary replied. Immediately through the drapes came Ike, Elincia, Ranulf, and Bryan. The others remained outside as told to do so.

“Azura, what was the screaming for?” Bryan asked. Azura didn’t immediately answer. Her face was covered in tears, and her expression was more than fear.

“Well come on, out with it,” Ike insisted. “We’re all worried.”

“Ike…my-my pendant. It’s…it’s gone!” Azura sobbed.

“What?!” Ike gasped. “How is that possible?! You always wear it!”

“I’m wondering the same thing,” Bryan agreed.

“I…I don’t know. I took it off so I could clean it,” Azura explained, her voice clashing with her teary emotion. “It had gotten a little dirty due to all the battling. I turned my back for a mere minute to grab a cloth from my things, and then when I went to pick it up again, it wasn’t there anymore!”

“Huh? Either I’m crazy, or that just makes no sense,” Ranulf commented. “How can anyone commit a theft that unnoticed?”

“I’m with Ranulf on this one,” Ike agreed. “Only a fool would even think to make such an attempt.”

“I don’t know, guys,” Bryan countered. “Notice the pendant is not anywhere on the ground in here. It can’t simply slide outside either. The firm ground makes it impossible. Someone must be that skilled at thievery, which is not good for us at all. I’m reporting this to the others.” With that, Bryan made his exit immediately.

“Well, I still don’t get how someone pulled this off, but…” Ike began.

“Hey! Look at this!” Elincia cried, having kneeled over beside Ike to pluck something from the hard ground. She opened her hand to reveal a small, but rather dirty brown lock pick. Inscribed on its metal surface was the letter K. Ike eyed it suspiciously, wondering where it could have possibly come from. Azura also eyed it, but just merely glancing at the rust-covered piece of metal only continued to feed her fear. What was the meaning behind this theft? Why is her pendant even wanted as badly as it is by the numerous thieving bandits that have chased her? What could possibly be so special about it to make it seem like such a valuable treasure? Azura only hoped that King Talgria would be able to tell her everything she needed to know. That is, if she and her comrades ever find a new route to Aracion.

“Well, I guess that explains why our thief is so good at what he does,” Ike deducted. “Only rogues carry those.”

“Yeah…we’d better show this to Bryan,” Elincia agreed. Ike, not the one to be hesitant about such an idea, followed Elincia back through the long draped doorway of the tent to rejoin Bryan, who was consistently speaking with the other soldiers present at the site. Ike decided to politely interrupt the fifth platoon commanding officer.

“Hey Bryan, we’ve got something we think you should see,” Ike reported. Elincia held out the lock pick, both her and Ike eager to know whether or not it was a valuable clue to their predicament.

“A lock pick? Where’d you find that?” Bryan wondered.

“It was on the floor in Azura’s tent,” Elincia replied. “I haven’t the faintest idea who it might belong to.” Before Bryan could say anything more, another familiar face immediately raced to the scene to see the metal object still held in Elincia’s hand. It was Skye, and the expression he put on his face when he examined the lock pick was nothing but anger and frustration.

“Hey! This is my brother’s!” he exclaimed. “Where’d you find it?” No one answered. Instead, Bryan, Ike, and Elincia simply stared at the archer with shocking expressions. Kye, the thief?

“Wait…don’t tell me. It was in the tent, wasn’t it?!” Skye beamed, an angry tone developing in his voice.

“Well, it was, but—” Ike began. However, an enraged Skye cut him off.

“That little brat!” he shouted, wishing he could slam his fist against something. “KYE! Where are you, you little termite?! If you’re anywhere near here, you’d better show yourself or so help me I’ll—!”

“Skye! Get ahold of yourself,” Bryan ordered. “I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for this.”

“There better be, or that boy is in gigantic trouble,” Skye threatened. A crime like this was very low for even a boy like Kye to do, and the young archer knew it. However, it was no excuse to let it go unpunished. Before any other person could utter another word about the matter, a figure was spotted running in the distance straight towards the camp. It was a figure of short stature, suggesting it to be a child. Eventually, pale light blue hair came into view, and the revealed boy was easily recognizable by the time he drew close to the came. It was Kye, right there, right then.

“Kye! You little thief! You stole the pendant, didn’t you?!” Skye yelled, unable to hold back his anger.

“Skye, I can explain!” Kye squealed, nearly in fear. “Honest!”

“Where is it?!” Skye demanded. “You’d better tell me or Ryin is going to hear about this!”

“No! Don’t tell him! Please! I beg you, Skye!” Kye plead, tears forming in his eyes.

“Then give back the pendant!”

“I-I don’t have it!”

“Is that the best lie you can come up with?”

“Skye! For the love of the goddess, leave the boy alone already!” Bryan cut in. “Let him explain!” For once, Skye forced himself to back down. He knew he’d be a horrible older brother to be so violent to him, not to mention setting a bad example for anyone witnessing, including Kye himself.

“W-well, you see, I’m a rogue, and I’ve trained in thievery for years now while Skye trained in the Talgrian Army,” Kye began. “I used to steal for survival because our parents died and I was too young to go with him at the time. Skye wanted to come home to take care of me, but was forced to stay due to extremely important missions. So I lived on the streets, gaining skill each day with stealing food and money to survive on my own…”

“Go on,” Ike insisted.

“Finally, when Skye was transferred to Bryan’s platoon and Bryan heard our story, he offered to ask Mr. Ryin if he could take me on as an apprentice, which of course, Mr. Ryin agreed to,” Kye continued. “Since then, I’ve used my thieving skills only for good deeds.” He explained further that just after the very group he was talking to had arrived in town and went to stay at Bryan’s camp site, he was doing an errand for Ryin when a middle-aged looking man approached him. The man seemed to be a kind, but poor fellow, and desperately asked Kye to help him out if possible. He told him of a gold pendant he lost to a gang of rude thieves who steal for themselves, and that he wanted it back ever so much. It was his last family heirloom.

“The old man pointed me right to this camp, and the very first tent I checked had a gold pendant, so I easily snatched it without being noticed,” Kye went on. “I returned to the old man and gave it to him, only to get kidnapped by his bandit friends once I saw through their disguises. It was a pirate tattoo one of them had mistakenly exposed that gave it away. I then made my escape from them to come tell all of you, and now they’re looking for me. I tell you, I was tricked into doing this! I swear!”

“Oh really?” Skye replied. “What makes you think it isn’t possible that you took it simply to earn a little extra cash? I know you and your selfishness, Kye.”

“Skye! I’m telling the truth! Please believe me!” Kye begged. “I know I’ve acted selfish in the past, but I decided to change that after Mr. Ryin took me in!”

“Prove it then!” Skye demanded.

“I think he’s telling the truth,” Ike stepped in. “Skye, you know very well that Azura and her pendant have been the target of all these bandits. It’s just like them to fool a young boy into doing their bidding.”

“Exactly,” Bryan agreed. “Skye, apologize to your brother.”

“Psh, look at you, you sound like my mother. I don’t need you to tell me that,” Skye retorted and focused his attention on Kye once more. “Still…I’m sorry. I got angry because I knew this was a new low for you.”

“It’s alright big bro. I should learn to be a little less naïve,” Kye admitted. “I fell for their trick so easily.” Skye was about to make his reply when several sets of footsteps began echoing from the very same direction Kye had first come. The group focused their attention on where exactly the new arrivals were coming from, and were displeased to see who it was.

“’Ey! There’s the little runt!” a deep, gruff voice yelled. “Ya won’t bust us that easily, boy!”

“…Yep. I should have guessed from the beginning that they’d be involved,” Ike commented. “We have to protect Kye.”

“Azura!” Ranulf called, hoping he could convince her to join the battle. “Kye needs your help! He was tricked into stealing your pendant and he’s being chased by the bandits responsible!”

“What?!” Azura’s voice gasped from behind the drapes. “I’ll be out in a second!” And a second it seemed to be. The red-haired mercenary was standing on the battlefield, her sword gripped tightly in her hands and ready for battle.

“Ike! Azura! We’ll hold them off! Escape to town with Kye while you still have a chance!” Bryan insisted. He ordered his troops to line up on the spot, wasting no time at all.

“Got it. Kye, jump on my back,” Ike told the frightened boy. “Azura, cover me.” Kye immediately complied and was soon grasping Ike’s big body as tightly as he could, sure to never let go. Azura took her place beside Ike to make sure none of the bandits could assault him, since rescuing someone during battle could slow him down. He immediately began to take off down the path which led away from the campsite, Azura following directly behind.

“Be careful, Ike!” Elincia called to him as her lover began to vanish in the distance. The bandits instantly began to take chase, but the remainder of the group challenged them in order to keep the enemies stalled. A few here and there managed to nearly get through, but thanks to her agility, Elincia stopped them dead in their tracks with a number of strikes and slices using Amiti. Ever since the end of the Mad King’s War, Elincia’s swordsmanship improved with each secret lesson she got from Ike, as well as her own training in Castle Crimea. Even the transfer from flying on a Pegasus to fighting on foot was not so difficult for the former queen.

Ike and Azura consistently navigated their way through the snake-like path of the mountain trail leading back towards Narcoss. The bandits continued to follow, however, showing no sign of exhaustion or giving up. Ike’s growing concern was only fed more when a number more enemies appeared right before them to block their path forward. The two warriors immediately halted their tracks, having been startled by the sudden new appearances. Ike gritted his teeth in frustration as his mind now wandered to figuring out how to get out of this new situation.

“Blast! We’re trapped!” he concluded.

“There’s no stopping now, Ike. We have to fight back!” Azura insisted.

“Don’t need to tell me twice! Hang on tight, Kye!” The still-frightened younger brother of Skye was not hesitant to comply. Ike drew the slightly worn down axe he’d been using since he first attempted to rescue his sword and began to clash with his foes. Azura followed his example by assaulting the bandits behind him. They were able to feel a little relief when the others broke their way through to where the two currently were battling and aided in demolishing the bandit blockade which prevented Ike and Azura from going any further. Upon the defeat of the remaining enemies whom were attempting to stall the two warriors, they immediately raced on, getting ever so closer to Narcoss’s roads.

“Oh finally! We’re almost there!” Azura exclaimed with relief, spotting the very edge of a main road which ran through the mountain town.

“Yeah, and it looks like Bryan and the others have things pretty much wrapped up back the other way, so let’s finish this!” Ike insisted. Azura nodded her response, and with that, the two bolted into the street and kept at their pace for as long as they could. No bandits were seen at all once they’d gone deep into the market. Hoping the rest of the group had taken care of every single ruffian already, making it safe to leave Kye and return, Ike and Azura finally reached their destination of Ryin’s armory, stopping in their tracks to catch their breath. Ike let Kye off his back, which was now plagued with a somewhat aching pain due to all of the running as well as the boy’s weight.

“Thanks, Ike. You really saved me back there,” Kye finally spoke.

“Ha…no…problem,” Ike replied, constantly having to take deep breaths.

“I’m sorry for making you so tired too…” Kye added, scratching the back of his head.

“I’ll…be fine,” Ike panted. “Trust me. I’m used to it.”

“I am too, actually,” Azura added, finally able to speak instead of pant herself.

“That’s good, then. Azura, I’m really sorry for stealing your pendant,” Kye apologized. “Honest. I wish I could give it back to you right now.”

“Don’t worry, Kye. It wasn’t your fault,” Azura comforted. “We’ll get it back, somehow.”

“Yeah, we’ll be here until we find it, that’s for sure,” Ike agreed. “We need to head back to the camp now. Stay out of trouble now, you hear?”

“Oh, definitely. Thanks again!” Kye replied, waving good bye as Ike and Azura began their little trip back to the tents. They only hoped that the battle had ended or would end before they arrived. It was guaranteed that the two now didn’t have enough energy to properly do combat.

Originally Posted by Wolfen

An FE fic with an M rating for just swearing and violence?

Seems a bit overdone in a series with child murder and incest.

How did I miss this post?

Anyway, I'm going by ZU standards with my rating, not FE.

Surprise, readers of DoD! I have two new updates for you. First, I made small edits to each chapter I've posted already. See if you can find them.

Second, I have the next chapter ready to go!


Chapter 7: Lost and Found

“Har har! We finally got our hands on what we been lookin’ fer!” a deep gruff voice said inside a large tent, located in a woodland area not far from the town of Narcoss. The voice’s owner was a large man wielding an axe, and wore heavily tattered clothes. Anyone who got even so much as a glimpse of him would be able to tell he was one of the ruffians.

“So ya got the girl’s pendant, aye?” came the reply. It was a different voice, the not so deep voice of the original ruffian’s boss.

“Har har! That we did. It be right in the guard’s keep, safe and sound.”

“Marvelous. Our buddies up north are gonna love this.”

“Aye, they will! And we’re goin’ ta finally git the loot they promised us!”

“Hehe. They’ll probably end up payin’ more fer this pretty thing than what they originally said,” the boss guessed. “It’s mighty perdy. We’ll deliver it to our friends tomorrow.”

“Aye, sir!” the ruffian replied. The boss was about to make his reply to his minion when he was cut off by a deep shriek coming from directly outside. The ruffian as well as his boss rushed through the drapes of their tent to find out what the commotion was about. Outside in the wilderness, the sky had been growing ever so dark with the night since the battle earlier that day, and it was hard to see with the canopies of the trees enveloping the entire area. The ruffian and boss halted in their tracks to find one of their keep guards looking quite like he’d seen a ghost.

“Argh, what now?” the boss inquired.

“Aye, captain, someone’s made off with the pendant!” the guard replied.

“What?!” the boss exclaimed, anger now building up in his mind. “Argh! I’ll bet all my axes it was that runt kid we tricked!”

“Aye! Would ya have us go look fer ‘im?” the ruffian asked.

“In this darkness? Yer jokin’. We’ll have ta wait ‘til mornin’.”

“If that’s what ya wish. I’m lookin’ forwerd ta cuttin’ him ta pieces!”

***

The evening grew darker as time passed by. The camp belonging to Bryan’s soldiers was slowly turning quiet and restful for the morning’s events that awaited them. Fewer and fewer soldiers were seen wandering around outside as it grew later and later in time. Dinner had ended a couple hours before, consisting of whatever every inhabitant of the camp had brought along with them. There was no one particularly skilled in the art of cooking anywhere within the camp, but what each warrior had seemed to suffice. Well, almost every warrior. The lone exception was none other than the one famous blue-haired mercenary at the very edge of the camp situated closest to Narcoss.

“Wow, I wish I’d grabbed a little more to eat while we were still in town,” Ike said once he and Elincia were concealed within their tent for the night. “I’m still rather hungry.”

“Heehee, that’s just the Ike I know and love,” Elincia giggled. “Always wanting or needing to eat a lot.”

“Well, it isn’t my fault food tastes so good,” Ike replied with a chuckle. “So anyway, need me to step outside while you change into night clothes?”

“Yeah, I want to at least be as comfortable as I can on this ground,” Elincia decided. All the two had to sleep in were two pillows and a few semi-thick blankets while the ground felt as lumpy and grassy as any.

“Good idea. Just holler when you’re done,” Ike replied with a smile. He walked through the drapes of the tent once more into the night’s darkness. Ike stood there to the left of the tent’s doorway and simply focused his gaze up at the night sky. Not a cloud was floating by. The sky was completely clear except for the many twinkling specks of light shining above known as stars. As Ike focused his thoughts on Elincia as well as the silence of the night, he closed his eyes and a happy smile formed on his face. Ashunera, if anything bad were to happen to me tomorrow, the day after, or any other time in the future, please take good care of her, Ike thought to himself, referring to the goddess who watched over the entire world. I love her…I would proudly lay my own life to ensure that she lives hers with happiness. As he finished his thoughts, Ike’s attention went to the tent across from him. Azura must have already gone to sleep, as her tent was completely motionless. Ranulf’s appeared identical.

Ike began to walk around the front of his own tent a little bit, wondering when he could go back inside. He was eager to get his armor off, as it had gotten quite uncomfortable. Still, one would never know when they could be ambushed or attacked and it was best to be prepared for anything. As he slowly moved about, however, and moved directly in front of the tent’s still closed entrance, Ike found himself beginning to stumble backwards. He plunged back through the drapes back first, but managed to catch himself with his hands right onto one of the blankets. Elincia gasped in surprise, still not completely dressed.

“Ike! You jerk!” she cried in disappointment. Her upper body was covered by her knee-length gown, but she hadn’t pulled her sleeves up, which had been mere shoulder straps.

“Ah! Elincia, I apologize!” Ike replied with embarrassment. “I swear that was an accident! And I can’t see anything but outside!”

“Alright,” Elincia said, and began to laugh afterwards. “I was almost finished anyway.” She quickly pulled up her straps and circled around Ike’s body to face him. He sat himself up completely to reach her level.

“I still goofed, but I’m lucky I didn’t knock the whole tent over,” Ike pointed out. “Then we’d have an even bigger problem.”

“You can say that again. Are you alright?” Elincia asked.

“Yeah. I’d better get this armor off before I end up bruising myself.” Ike immediately stood back up and undid the straps which attached his pieces of armor to his body. He chucked them in a corner near Elincia’s bag and instantly felt relief.

“That’s much better,” Ike decided. He moved on to his cape and gauntlets next, which ended up sitting right next to the armor. Ike’s long, slim, and rather tight-looking boots came next and he seated them neatly between the cape and the set of armor, followed by the ragged headband around his head.

“Ike, you’re not sleeping in those clothes, are you?” Elincia wondered.

“Well, I have to. I did have a couple other sets, but they were destroyed back in Galden when my sword was stolen,” Ike explained. “…And actually, I usually only partially sleep in them, except when it’s cold, of course.” To demonstrate his previous statement, Ike navigated his hands to the back of his shirt and pulled it over his head. It made its way near his other pieces of equipment like before. Elincia slowly turned her head and blushed at Ike’s new appearance. She had never seen him shirtless before, and what she was now witnessing was quite a sight. His powerful arms always showed due to the sleeveless shirt he usually wore and his torso was built just as powerfully. The rippled muscles of his stomach, wide shoulders, and broad chest matched the domed muscles of Ike’s largely fit arms. He comfortably stretched himself out before noticing Elincia’s gesture.

“Why, what’s the matter? Never seen a guy without a shirt on before?” Ike joked as he flopped down on one side of the bedding set up on the ground. He pulled one of the blankets over himself.

“Geoffrey, but that was usually when he and I were going for a swim somewhere with Lucia,” Elincia replied, giggling in return. “But you, Ike, you’re much more pleasing to the eyes than he ever was.” The tone of her voice had quickly changed to a flirty one when she compared Ike’s figure to Geoffrey’s. She followed Ike’s example and descended to her half of the bedding as she spoke her words, curling up close to him.

“Alright. I get the idea,” Ike replied with a laugh. “Do you expect me to flex now?”

“Why, that would be lovely,” Elincia continued in her flirty voice.

“I had to say flex…but you know I’d do anything for you,” Ike replied with a smile and bent his right arm towards himself. His bicep grew nearly twice as high on said arm as it was initially. Elincia reached out one of her own arms and slid her hand across the same muscle, roaming it ever so lovingly.

“My, how did you ever get so strong?” she asked with curiosity, transferring her hand from Ike’s arm to his chest. Her eyes closed and a warm smile on her face she couldn’t resist letting her hand explore his muscular, well-built torso. Ike relaxed upon feeling the smoothness of Elincia’s hand steer across his own tougher skin covered muscles, from his chest to his eight-pack patched stomach. His left arm then found its way around Elincia’s body to hold her closer. The two couldn’t possibly feel any better with one another’s warmth to keep them away from the cold.

“Working out with Boyd, of course. And when he’s your work out partner, there isn’t any stopping,” Ike replied, referring to the former Greil Mercenary closest in age to himself. “He really knows what he’s doing when it comes to that kind of training. Plus, wouldn’t you think I’ve held that sword, Ragnell enough times to gain a little muscle?”

“Yeah, no wonder he looked as bulky as you,” Elincia agreed with another giggle. “You know, remember the Crimean rebellion, during the moment Lucia was about to be hung and your mercenaries came to the rescue?”

“Oh? Of course. It was thanks to Bastian that we made it there in time.” Ike began to recall the whole scene of the planned execution during that time. Lucia had been standing on the pillar, the rope around her neck and ready to be hanged. She’d been dirty and beaten from her capture, and her enemies. The mastermind behind it all had been Lord Ludveck, a man who attempted to overthrow Elincia and take the throne for himself. Ike and his mercenaries kept themselves hidden in the underbrush behind the crowd of people that had gathered around the weak Lucia. He had been waiting for a signal to ambush the soldiers who were also present. It came at the right moment, an arrow flying through the sky like a bird in a dive bomb and sliced right through the knot of Lucia’s rope. It was the work of Ike’s archers, Shinon and Rolf, no doubt. Ike, knowing his cue, instantly bolted out into the scene and rushed through the dirt to catch Lucia in his arms. He held her over his shoulder, drew his blade, Ettard, and downed four enemy soldiers using a single blow. The other mercenaries followed him and battled their way through after Ike had put Lucia down for his sister, Mist, and primary healer, Rhys to tend to.

“Yeah. When I saw you down there giving all of those soldiers a good thrashing, I thought ‘wow…he’s grown so handsome…so strong…” Elincia replied. “I felt like I was looking at a completely different man.”

“Oh come on. You’re exaggerating,” Ike accused, blushing again.

“I am not. You’d have made such a great lord if you hadn’t returned to your old life,” Elincia complimented. “But then, if we stayed together and eventually got married, you’d gain more power…”

“Yeah…I can’t really imagine myself like that, though,” Ike admitted.

“It always got me wondering. Is it a good thing that you decided to return to the Greil Mercenaries? What would have happened to you if I’d stayed on the throne and you became Prince Consort three years ago?” Elincia asked herself.

“I don’t think it would have been that much of a problem,” Ike guessed. “Of course, I still have distaste for the life of nobles, but really, what would a guy like me do with all that power?”

“Why, eat the biggest and most delicious meals he ever had, of course,” Elincia replied with a laugh. Ike went pink in the cheeks again as he tried thinking of a counter statement.

“…Well, alright, you’ve got me there,” he admitted, laughing himself and knowing that pretty much everyone he knew had knowledge of his big appetite. “But I’d never wrongly abuse such power. And I would certainly not become another Ashnard.”

“I’d hope not. Tellius doesn’t need a replay of that scenario, that’s for sure,” Elincia agreed. Mad King Ashnard was the final enemy Ike had defeated in the Mad King’s War as well as Daein’s previous ruler. He had been the one behind the entire war, right from the beginning.

“I couldn’t agree more. But well, we’re in Altarais, and far from the Crimean throne, so none of it will ever even happen,” Ike pointed out, a pleasant smile forming on his face. His gaze eventually had been fixed upon Elincia, who was returning it with her own upon Ike, unable to take her golden eyes off of him. He took his right hand and slid it through her long emerald-colored hair.

“You know…you’re more beautiful than I originally thought,” Ike complimented. Elincia’s cheeks went pink upon hearing his words. She instantly gave him a loving peck on the cheek. Ike had been a little startled, if not only pleased.

“And you’re the biggest sweetheart I’ve ever met,” Elincia replied. “Literally.” With that, she let out another giggle, having referred to how big in general Ike was compared to most other men, beorc or laguz. He really had grown a lot in just three years. When Elincia had first met Ike, she could stand on the tip of her toes and be about his height. He had been rather thin-looking for someone his age, and once a trio of years went by, he’d grown several inches in height and gained the muscular, bulky figure he currently had.

“Haha, actually, you’re probably right about that one. You really like to surprise me, don’t you?” Ike wondered with a smile.

“Hee hee.”

“Well then, allow me to return the favor.” After he’d smiled at his words, Ike grabbed Elincia by the waist and pulled her over top of him. His lips met her own within seconds and the two were embraced for moments and moments on in. Elincia had indeed taken it by surprise, but embraced the feeling of being pressed against Ike’s muscles all the same. Her arms slipped around Ike’s neck, his around her waist, life felt perfect that entire evening for both, no doubt.

When the sun had begun to rise high into the sky, breaking the next morning’s dawn, the camp’s silence carried on. It was still quite early, with just about every living soul still fast asleep. Ike and Elincia were cuddled together, with Ike’s arm around the former queen’s waist, and both were out like a candle upon their sides. Ranulf was still in a cat nap under his own blankets and drooling on his pillow while everyone else’s quarters were either completely silent or had the sounds of snoring and moving blankets coming from inside. Azura became the first to stir as she rolled over onto her side facing the tent’s doorway, and her eyelids fluttered open.

At first, the area looked completely normal. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Azura’s suit of armor sat near the tent wall in the same place she’d left it the previous night. The drapes on the tent door where closed, only letting in a little bit of sunlight where they cracked. Then, as her vision of the tent’s inside became clearer, Azura spotted a round black tiny creature crawling by her blanket on eight legs. She opened her eyes as wide as they could go and let out a terrified shriek, which woke not only Ranulf, but Ike and Elincia as well.

“Oh what is she screaming for now…?” Ike wondered, annoyed at the reason he’d been awoken. Elincia shrugged, having not a single clue.

“She’s a mystery, isn’t she?”

“Tell me about it,” Ike replied as he lazily crawled out of his blankets, let out a big yawn, and came through the drapes of his own tent on his knees. He noticed Ranulf had done the same in his tent next to Azura’s and turned his attention to Ike first.

“Hey Ike, any idea what’s up with her this time?” Ranulf asked, yawning himself.

“That’s what I’m out here to find out,” Ike replied. “Azura, what’s the big idea waking us up like this?”

“K-kill it! Kill it!” Azura cried in fright from behind her drapes.

“Kill what?” Ike asked, getting up and going to investigate. Ranulf followed as the two stepped inside Azura’s tent once more. The tiny black eight-legged creature was still crawling around in the grassy ground. Azura was trembling in the back of her tent, curled up in a ball and pointing to the creature.

“Are you serious?” Ranulf asked in annoyance. “This is what you’re screaming at?”

“Yeah, Azura, it’s just a spider,” Ike pointed out, squishing the arachnid with his foot.

“S-sorry. Spiders sc-scare me. Anything with eight legs f-f-frightens me,” Azura stammered and got up from her position. “I don’t know why…”

“Well, calm down, it’s dead now. Since we’re all awake, we may as well get suited up and ready to start looking for your pendant,” Ike suggested.

“Good idea. …Wow, Ike. Elincia is sure lucky to have a man as handsome as you are…” Azura replied, taking note of Ike’s shirtless muscular torso combined with the rest of his features. Ike went pink in the cheeks before responding.

“Heh, why thank you. Don’t take too long. If we delay anymore, those crooks will be long gone by the time we find any clues,” Ike pointed out. Azura nodded and began readying herself immediately as soon as Ike and Ranulf had departed. Within minutes, she was re-strapped into her armor, pulled on her boots, and buckled her belt. Once she was completely ready, Azura thought it best to see if Bryan and the others had awoken yet. Stepping outside of the tent, she peered around to see who she’d find to be ready. Ranulf was standing right outside of his own tent while Elincia had just at that moment emerged from hers. Marc and Morris followed that example a minute later. Ike, Bryan, Skye, and Leona were last, not necessarily in that order.

“Ah, Bryan. Glad to see you and the others woke and are set to go,” Ike said to the captain. “Would you mind if we split up in town? We’d be covering more ground, plus I need to get my sword.”

“Not at all,” Bryan replied. “In fact, I had the same idea. Anyway, I say we split into pairs or trios. Does that sound good?”

“Fair enough. How about myself and Ranulf, you, Morris, and Skye, Marc and Leona, and Azura and Elincia?” Ike suggested.

“Funny, I thought you’d want to go with Elincia,” a female voice behind them replied with a chuckle before Bryan could make his statement. Azura had walked up to them, having overheard their conversation.

“You can’t let love distract your battle strategies, Azura and you and Elincia have the most similar fighting style to one another’s,” Ike pointed out, trying hard not to chuckle himself. “If the two of you run into bandits, it’ll prove handy. Plus, it’d give her a chance to get to know you better.”

“Ah, good point,” Azura agreed. “You’re alright with this idea, aren’t you, Bryan?”

“I don’t see why not,” Bryan replied. “I’ll inform the others while the rest of you go on ahead. We’ll regroup on the path we first came to town by.”

After Bryan departed for the other tents and Azura joined Elincia, Ike motioned Ranulf to follow him and the two began to make their way into Narcoss once again. Azura filled Elincia in on the plan she, Ike, and Bryan agreed upon and the two made for town in the very same direction. Deciding not to trek too far away from Ike and Ranulf, Azura and Elincia began their search on a nearby road as the men were backtracking to Ryin’s armory. Although it took some doing and memory refreshing, Ike and Ranulf approached the heavily-smelling-of-metal building in fair timing. The two entered, careful not to make much noise due to how early in the morning it was, as the sun wasn’t much higher than the horizon at the moment. Fortunately for the pair, both Ryin and Kye stood at the back of the room and took note of them right on.

“Ah, Ike! I was hoping you’d come by soon. Your sword is ready to go,” Ryin reported with a smile.

“Great! Where is it?” Ike wondered, approaching him.

“Right here in front of me. Doesn’t she look mighty fine?” Ryin replied. “Seeing as the original was called Ettard according to you, I call this new blade Ettardios! A more powerful sounding name for a more powerful sword, no?” Ike took a look at the sword lying on the table between himself and Ryin. The blade itself was almost identical to that of the original Ettard, only slightly a different shape. The grip was also nearly the same as before. It was the guard that had been most changed. Instead of the plainness it had before, its colors screamed difference and it took a more vibrant shape. Spikes jetted out from the upper side, which had been colored like a darkened red delicious apple. The lower half curved slightly downward in its not so dark brown tone. Ike let his hand slide across the shiny new blade.

“Wow…you’re right. I can already feel how strong this sword is,” he complimented. “Its might probably rivals that of a silver blade.”

“I have to agree. You could probably take out a hundred guys without breaking a sweat if you used this sword, Ike!” Ranulf added.

“Aye, it just might, actually!” Ryin confirmed. “I used the most fine silver I had to coat what remained of the original blade’s melted steel, which hadn’t been enough for a full blade anyway. This new blade is also much more durable.”

“Seriously? Thanks!” Ike replied. “I really want to pay you for a job well-done, but if you insist on it being free, I won’t argue.”

“Nah, you go ahead and take it. You’re Ike and you’re with Bryan. It’s my treat.”

“Well, thank you once again, then.” Once Ike said his words, he took the sword from the table, sheathed it to his back, and made his way through the front door once more. Before he and Ranulf could begin their own search for Azura’s pendant thieves, however, Kye’s familiar voice hollered out to them on the road. Ike and Ranulf halted in their footsteps to see what was the matter.

“Ike! Wait up!” the boy said.

“Kye? What’s the matter?” Ike wondered.

“Oh, if you’re going to look for Azura’s pendant, you don’t have to. I have it right here!” Kye replied with a smile. He then reached into his right pocket and produced the gold pendant on the spot. Ike and Ranulf both gasped, feelings of shock running through their bodies.

“What?! But you said—” Ranulf began, but was cut off.

“I know, but I stole it back from those stupid heads overnight for you to save your group trouble,” Kye explained. “It wasn’t risky, in fact it was quite easy to nab it from them, but I wanted to make up for my huge mistake.”

“Well, I…don’t know what to say,” Ike replied, still surprised. “Great job though, Kye. It definitely will save us a lot of time and trouble, you can count on that.” He took the pendant from Kye’s hand, relieved as ever that the entire group could start for Eraghoa right away.

“You should escape town as quickly as possible though,” Kye warned. “Those guys will be looking for me again, I’m sure of it. I’ve been hiding here the whole time.”

“Yeah, I don’t doubt—” It was Ike’s turn to have his sentence interrupted.

“Ike, we need to get out of here!” a female voice rung out from down the road. Ike turned his attention to where it was coming from. Elincia was running at full speed, followed by Azura, in the direction of the blue-haired mercenary and Ranulf. Their facial expressions did not warrant good news at all.

“Huh? Elincia, Azura, slow down. What’s going on?” Ike wondered.

“There’s a whale-sized crew of bandits heading straight for town!” Azura reported.

“What?! How many?”

“More of them than I can imagine, that’s for sure. Bryan and his men are trying to head them off, but there’s no telling how long that will last,” Azura continued. “We need to escape and lose them on the mountain trail as fast as possible!”

“Alright, then let’s move. Kye, you stay hidden here in the very back,” Ike told the boy. “We’ll handle this.”

“Alright. Just hurry and be careful!” Kye replied and bolted back inside the building.


Yeah, I decided to put in some more Ike/Elincia romance, hee hee. Ike also got his new sword! Yay. ;D