Fire Emblem on the Forums: Sea of Crossroads [IC]

[Chevaleresse]

Myrdwyn approached this one slightly more cautiously than the others. She had something resembling a plan, this time: test its reach a bit, try to parry a strike, then knock it off balance with her greater mass and finish it off from there. She moved inward, jabbing at it a few times with her weapon, while grumbling audibly but mostly unintelligibly about creepy convoy men and useless teenagers.

[Zetaark]

As Myrdwyn executed her plan, she did in fact manage to parry a few strikes from the specter as it attempted to counter her jabs. However, the creature had a bit more mass than a bundle of shadows in armor would let on. As such, it held its ground, and the two proceeded to trade blows from there. The creature seemed more adept than the prior skeletons, but the shadows around it began to dissipate just a little with each passing blow. 

[Chevaleresse]

Myrdwyn waited for another attack. She added extra force to her parry on that one as to knock its weapon away (and hopefully put the entire creature off-balance,) then swung the opposite end of her own lance forward, trying to sweep the creature off its feet so she could go for a killing blow. Well, a blow that would end it, anyway, she wasn't sure that "killing" really applied to spooky skeleton wraith things.

[Zetaark]

Myrdwyn's patience paid off, as she managed to parry the wraith's blow with enough force to knock it back, causing its weapon to be knocked away. While the creature was momentarily staggered, Myrdwyn ran her lance through its feet, causing it to drop to the ground. Finally, in one quick movement, Myrdwyn drove her lance through the wraith. At first it didn't appear to react much, and it attempted to retaliate, but as it did so the shadows around it began to fade away. The wraith struggled for a moment after, before finally fading away, leaving the armor in its place. Once the creature was slain, the convoy man began to move towards the chest and open it.

 

"My my, this is..." he trails off as he pulls out a few ancient looking books and what appeared to be a scepter, which emitted a purplish glow. After carefully examining the contents of the book, he frowns. "So this is what they were looking for hmm? That's rather concerning. But that will be an issue for another day. For now, it is time to leave this place with our spoils," he says as he puts a hand on the pedestal next to the chest. After a brief moment of nothing, the room is filled by a bright light, and the inhabitants feel themselves warped away.

 

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Outside of the mansion where the others were, a bright light appeared at the door, through which Myrdwyn and company arrived through. 

 

"Gah! What the..." Madante yelled, startled and brandishing his blade before seeing who came through. "Oh, you all. What happened in there?" he asks.

 

"I will explain later. For now though, we move to Versidia. The guard needs to know about what we have found here, among other things."

 

"Alright then. Time to go then," Madante mutters as he and the rest of the crew move back to the ship, with their next destination being the capital city of Versidia.

 

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Chapter 7: The Royal Test

 

After leaving the island of Kabumu, the group made their way to the capital city of Versidia. Upon docking, Karik and his mother offered to look after the still unconscious Cadence until she recovered. In the meantime, the rest of the group went to the royal castle. After Madante explained to the outer guards of the castle who they were and their purpose, they were let inside the castle. Inside, they were greeted by another guardsman, who escorted the group to one of the castle courtyards, where he began to speak with Madante.

 

"So you are the crew sent out hmm? I'm glad to see you in one piece, considering all the things we've heard about your misfortune. Though it seems that there are a few extras that I see with you," the guardsman remarks, muttering the last line. 

 

"Yes well, a lot of things happened during our journey you see," Madante begins to explain before the guardsman holds up his hand.

 

"Yes yes, that's why you're here. Now then, I'll need you to come with me and give a full report on what has happened. As for the rest of you, you may feel free to rest here in the courtyard. Your commander here needs to give a briefing of what's happened, and then we'll determine what has to be done next. With that said, enjoy yourselves," he remarks with a half smile as he takes Madante with him to another part of the castle.

 

The courtyard itself was rather quaint, with a few trees scattered about and a fountain at the center.  Outside of the group, there were a few others simply lounging, while others were moving through the courtyard to other places.

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"Belros! Belros!" Emilee came in a sprint just after they were dismissed. On her hands she had two wooden training swords. "I need your help, I want to learn how to hit people with swords and not kill them! Please teach me your ways." 

[Chevaleresse]

 

"Ya could learn to use a real weapon, too, instead of a glorified kitchen utensil," Myrdwyn called as she witnessed Emilee's approach to Belros. "'Sides, isn't the idea to learn ta kill people with 'em? Or at least convince 'em you're good enough at doin' it that they don't want to try and find out."

[Aurorix]

Belros began to space out after the gaurdsman began to speak for the second time. He was still mulling over Randel, and was just starring off into the distance dead-eye'd. It wasn't until he noticed the two ladies in-front of him that he was dragged back into the real world. Something about kitchen utensils and... killing people? He wasn't sure what the context was but he had to say something. But what?

 

"Wait, what now? Killing people with silverware? I mean a knife is good and all but I don't think you'll be doing anything lethal with a spoon." He said shaken up trying to come up with something on the fly.

[Anstane]

 

Darius took in a large breath and exhaled it right afterwards. It has been a while since he, as well as the others, have been back in Versidia. Granted, most of his time has been spent either in the spell training rooms or the equivalent of a library (even if the amount of knowledge on dark magic was rather...limited.) Regardless, it feels somewhat nice to be in remotely familiar areas once again. He observed Emilee, Myrdwyn and Belros' actions and simply rolled his eyes a bit before heading over to the shade of a nearby tree and sitting down in the cool shadow of the tall timber. He is still fairly attentive, though, and can still be conversed with, though.

[rokubiraijuu]

Their journey has been long, and Idei is glad for the time to idle and relax, even if for a moment. The skies are clear, the winds brisk on this day in the capital city. He realizes with a surge of affection, as he looks around at the quiet bustle of the courtyard, that he's come into a fondness for this stone-walled city. Perhaps it took leaving it to see. 

 

Briefly, he toys with the idea of joining Emilee and Belros. The bow and the sword have long been tools of his people, too, and his skill with a blade has rusted in the years since his leaving Arcadia. Maybe another time. Crowds, even of three, have never been his atmosphere.

 

Instead, he ties Kite to the fountain statue fixture in the center of the courtyard and allows him to drink before making his way over to the tree under which Darius sat, sequestered away. "Do you mind if I join you?" he asks, gesturing next to the man.

[Anstane]

 

"Hm? Sure, go ahead." Darius responded to Idei's inquiry, shuffling over to give him space to sit in the shade as well. "It's been a while since we've been back here, even if we're only here for until we get new orders to move out." he sighed out. Even the journey the group had so far was enough to really make him rethink his old path of life. Maybe a conversation like this would help him get more clarity? Or maybe just distract his mind, that works too.

[rokubiraijuu]

A hum of acknowledgement is his answer to Darius' words as he takes a seat next to him. The overhead branches sway in the breeze, dappling the extended shade before him with the dancing shadows of rustling leaves. "I did not used to think I would ever like this place," he replies with a touch of humor. "Closed up and full of stone..." He glances over to the shaman after a pause. The man looked weary from more than just travel.

 

"Whose tracks are you walking?" he asks. "Or... I think, here, you say 'a vesper for your thoughts'."

[Anstane]

 

Darius looked at Idei, a little confused by the question.

 

"Could you clarify the question? Do you mean who's or what path I am following, or something else? If it's the former, then...well, I want to say my old mentor's, but I'm trying to carve my own path, especially after he abandoned me one day..." he sighs out before muttering quietly. "Though I am really beginning to see why...maybe this path I took, the path of inducing pain and agony on those that deserve such might not have been the wisest decision I have ever made, wrought of raw emotion than of any real sense."

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"I've tried defending myself on the battlefield by hitting people with my staff, but it never seems to work. Axes and spears seem heavy, I don't think I'll be very accurate with a bow, and I don't have aptitude for any magic other than healing." She then shook her head. "And I don't think weapons are made only to kill people. I've been protected by you a million times, but you didn't always have to kill. I want to become strong enough that I can defend myself without killing them, I'll heal them if I have to. And if they come at me again, I'll strike them down again until they give up. That's who I want to become." Emilee turned to Belros again, gripping the training sword harder than before. "So I ask you again, please teach me how to fight."

[rokubiraijuu]

Idei laughs softly, a rare show of outward emotion that lingers in his eyes. "I'm sorry. It is... an expression used by my tribe. I wanted to know what you were thinking."

 

But Darius' answer is more grave than he'd expected, and he recalls their conversation from some time ago, on the bow of the ship en route to Kabumu. Then, he had talked about this burgeoning struggle with his desire for revenge. "...What caused the change of heart?"

[Chevaleresse]

Myrdwyn snorted, shaking her head at Belros's response.

"I'm talkin' about your sad excuses for weapons, ya dumbass street rat. 'Sides, you think I couldn't kill someone with a spoon if I put my mind to it?" She didn't wait for an answer to that question before continuing, turning back to Emilee as she did. "Still, even if you're gonna be fightin' with the most impractical weapons known to man and manakete alike, I can help ya out too. Learnin' to defend yourself is a good thing ta do, 'specially with the rate things have been goin' lately."

[Aurorix]

"I don't see how swords are impractical by any means, they seem to get the job done just fine." The boy shrugged before turning his attention back to Emilee "I mean, I don't know why you came to me of all people to ask for weapon training but I suppose it couldn't hurt to try and help. Though I have to ask, do you know anything about how to handle a weapon or are you going into this completely blind? Better question, have you ever picked up a blade before?"  

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"Well, when I thought who to ask you came to mind Belros. I guess I think you are reliable guy!" Emilee smiled warmly. She nodded to Myrdwyn. "I wouldn't mind your help too. Please I'll take any training. I've only ever touched knives for cooking and I once helped cut the grass near the church with a scythe. A real weapon though, no never in my life."

[Swordstar]

Selia sat away from the rest of the group, staring at nothing while shuffling the cards almost without realizing she was doing it. The first battle she'd been in had been easy. And it had made sense. She'd needed to escape after all. It was that or her death. The second battle though... She winced, her shuffling faltering for a second before picking up speed again. That had been a disaster. She had been barely any use and the feel of weapons biting into her skin was not one she would soon forget. Everyone else seemed to have no problem with all of it. Why was she so different? Maybe this just wasn't something she was cut out for... Would she be slowing the group down if she stayed around them? She didn't have the answers and couldn't predict her own future. The one area she needed answers the most was always the area she was the most blind in, now more than ever.

[Anstane]

 

Idei's question left Darius in a bit of a surprise. He thought for a few moments before giving out an answer.

 

"It...was a combination of things. First of all, for the first time, I saw just how fierce and aggressive the dark spirits can be, trying to "convince" me to fully commit to their cause. While I admit that, part of me did feel some degree of satisfaction from witnessing such gruesome deaths, a larger part felt...almost like fear. But that's not the main one. The main one was that I was shown a way I could use my magic for...good purposes. For productive purposes. I was shown that, despite it all, I can still leave this path of mine that...has not really granted me much satisfaction, in all honesty. Mostly just temporary reprieve from the loathing of my past."

[rokubiraijuu]

"I see..." he muses in reply, looking out across the courtyard again. Dark spirits, he has no experience with. His interactions with magic have always been limited and, like many of the Arcadian nomads, his attitude towards it has always been a mixture of curiosity and reverence. It's no secret to the daily lives of the horsemen, but it has never been used for battle, or to kill. Coming out of the desert was the first time he had ever seen magic harnessed for combat.

 

"Where I am from, it is understood that spirits possess. It is not... frequent, but it happens enough that everyone knows the dangers if you are not ready. It attaches to your — there is no word for it here, but we call it tilaka. It is like the energy in you that makes you of the earth and air. The spirits can enter there, and then you are never the same." He idly twists the grass under himself between his fingers. "I saw you in the last fight, and how you killed that one man."

[Chevaleresse]

"I could kill someone with my boot, too, doesn't mean it's a practical weapon. Sword's got less reach than a lance and isn't as good against armor as an axe or a good solid hammer. Knives got merit, I'll give ya that, but ya shouldn't be relyin' on 'em to save you from anyone in proper kit."

"And I ain't even gonna comment on calling Belros reliable."

[Anstane]

 

"...normally it's not like that. Occasionally the spirits actually do almost forcefully take over and...almost give a demonstration of the true power I could have if I fully submitted themselves to them. Almost like...they are trying to tempt me into it with showcases of raw power. The thing is...all these shows actually are actively turning me away from wanting to do anything of the sort. The experience might be initially exhilarating, but the aftermath..." the shaman shook his head and sighed. Clearly, he's still a bit disturbed by what happened. Why did this only start recently and not back when he was just randomly wandering the lands, that is a different matter that he has no answer for.

[Aurorix]

"Me? Reliable? Nah, she must be trying to butter me up or something. Though what if she is telling me how she truly feels. A genuine compliment, haven't heard one of those in a while." Was what went through Belros' head before Myrdwyn added her own comments.

 

"Awww come on, Myrdwyn. I can't be THAT bad, can I?" There was a moment of silence... 

 

"Don't answer that."

 

"Anyways, Emilee, I think it would be best if we had you starting out with how to use a knife. Seeing as you have the most experience dealing with those and Myrdwyn here apparently doesn't like swords. Plus, a knife has more use than just stabbing any cutthroat that happens to come at ya."

[rokubiraijuu]

He's quiet, listening to Darius talk. After a long pause, he starts again, gently. "Then... if this is not what you want... what new path do you want to take?"

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"I don't want to be fighting people in the front line or in full kit I just want to be able to defend myself." Emilee dropped the training swords she had brought and with a determined look reached her hand out to Belros. "Give me your knives, I want to try."