Age of Destruction: Fire Emblem CYOA

Good.

"We appreciate it," Lily says.  "Everyone, go take a rest!  You've certainly earned it.  We'll discuss our plans further this evening."

"Mmm...  I'd love a nap."  Gale stretches, then wraps an arm around Lily's shoulder.  "But this would be a good chance for that duel, wouldn't it?  You can spare a few minutes after lunch, right?"

Lily sighs.  "Fine."

Gale grins and heads off find somewhere to curl up for a nap.  Lily's about to do the same when Gin cuts her off.

"Duel?  You're having a duel with Gale...?" he asks.  He seems concerned.

"Ah...  It's a long story," Lily explains.  "It's... nothing like you're thinking.  Just another one of her games.  To mess with me."

"Oh, good!  I was worried she'd finally crossed a line.  So you aren't, y'know... really fighting, or...?" Gin trails off.

"Oh...  Well, I'm not going to hold back," Lily promises.  "Neither will she.  She wants a fight, and I'm going to give her one."

"Are you doing this in private, or can I watch?  I feel like it'd be a good chance to learn a lot watching you fight.  I'm usually too focused on the battle during... er... battle.  It's all I can do to hold my own."

"You do fine," Lily says.  "In fact, I count on you to hold the enemy back quite a bit."

"Really?" Gin asks.  "It doesn't really feel like I'm doing much..."

"It can be easy to lose track of a single soldier's role in a large fight," Lily admits.  "But you've really been a lifesaver, quite a few times."

Gin blushes and tries to hide a smile.  "That's... kind of you to say, Princess.  Thank you."

"My praise is well-deserved, Gin."  Lily offers a small bow.  "I'll be counting on you in the future, as well."

"I... um... me?" Gin stammers meekly.  "Th-th-that's... ah...  Excuse me, Princess..."  He retreats as quickly as possible.

Lily looks after him, then shakes her head.  "He almost reminds me of Mina, but..."

"Yes?" a familiar voice behind her says softly.

Lily jumps slightly.  "Ah!  Oh.  Mina.  Hi."  It's her turn to stammer awkwardly.

"Did you call for me?" Mina asks.

"Oh, no.  I was just... saying that he kind of reminds me of you," Lily says.

Mina tilts her head curiously.

"I mean... he lacks confidence, but he's a pretty good fighter.  And you can also be a bit shy.  And you're stronger than you think."

Mina looks away sadly.  "You're just saying that."

"No, really.  You're like a whole new woman than the one that left Tartarus with Rand," Lily assures her."You could still be a better fighter, but you're really trying to approve.  And Rand told me how diligently you were watching his back.  I appreciate it."

"But..."

Lily clasps Mina's hands.  "Mina.  I mean it - I truly, truly appreciate it.  Thank you just for being there.  All I need is for you to stay by our side, and maybe give me a smile?"

Mina looks down with a shy smile.  "I, um...  OK.  Sorry.  I mean, you're welcome."

Lily smiles back, then excuses herself to rest.

---

Zenia grabs Harv by the scruff of his neck.  "You.  Mercenary."

"My proper appellation is Cap'n, thank you," Harv says.  "What's the botheration?"

"Both- why do you insist on that insipid manner of speech?"

"Ma always taught me that our clients - 'specially them high-falutin ones - 'spect a certain manner o' articulation."

"Well knock it off," Zenia orders.  She groans.  "I mean to tell you that our contract will be concluding once we return to the coast.  The Great Khan has sent a ship with some of his personal guard to meet me."

"I see.  Well, so long as I get m' payment fer services rendered."

Zenia nods.  Harv turns to leave when she starts talking again.  "Your mother... hm.  The legendary Bloody Rose.  Hard to imagine her playing tour guide and babysitter for a bunch of stuck-up nobles in her twilight years."

"Then retiring to a nice cozy cottage in the mountains with her lover," Harv adds.

"Interesting.  I can't imagine."

"I doubt you'll live that long, the way you lust for battle," Harv laughs.

Zenia narrows her eyes at him for a long, hard stare.  Finally, she shrugs.  "True."

Harv gives another laugh and walks off, glad that she didn't take his comment badly.

Zenia leaves in the other direction.  Storm stops her shortly.  "Hello, Champion Zenia," he says.  His voice has a subtle edge to it that immediately puts her in a bad mood.

"Hello again, young knight.  Is there something you need?" she asks.

"I wanted to speak with you about what you said the other day, if you've got a minute."

Zenia folds her arms and makes a subtle motion to continue.

"You asked me why I became a knight, what I'm fighting for.  I've been wondering the same of you."

"I fight for my Khan," Zenia says, blunt as ever.

"That was... fast.  What has he done to earn your loyalty to such a degree?"

Zenia glares at him silently.

Storm stares back.  He suddenly realizes what he's doing and clears his throat.  "My apologies.  Perhaps that was a rude question."

"Extremely.  Suffice to say the Great Khan has my complete loyalty."

"I see.  I'll drop the matter here, then."  Storm gives her a salute.  "Thank you for indulging me."

Zenia nods and walks past him without another word.

---

"You.  Rabbit."  Hawke drops down on the back of his wyvern.

Gale, asleep against a tree, immediately snaps awake.  "Huh?  I- AH!"  She scampers to hide behind the trunk.

"Don't think you can hide from me," Hawke warns her.  "I told you.  My job is to protect the princess."

"What!?"

"I warned you I'd feed you to my wyvern if I thought you were a threat."  He signals his wyvern and it snaps at her.

Gale pulls further behind the tree with a panicked yell.  "What are you talking about!?"

"Challenging the princess to a duel?  Did you think I would let that slide?" he demands.

"Ah!  N-no!  Not...  It's not a duel to the death or anything, just some... friendly competition!  I promise!"

Hawke pulls his mount back a bit.  "Hmph...  You certainly have a funny way of showing your friendship."

"How I choose to show friendship is no concern of yours, you... you... you lizard-loving lunatic!  N-n-now call off your monster!" Gale shouts.

Hawke moves back further.  "Fine.  But I'll be watching this little duel of yours.  You better not try anything stupid."  With that, he leaps into the air, circling a few times to make a point before disappearing behind some trees.

Gale stares after him long enough to be sure he's gone, then shakes her head.  No getting back to sleep after that.  She wanders off, soon noticing someone useful in the distance.  She takes off, running to Zenia's side.  "Hey!  Champ!"

Zenia scoffs.  "Champ?"

"Yeah, Champ.  Listen.  You were training Lily in swordsmanship the other day, right?" Gale asks.

"Not really," Zenia says.  "Her technique is fine, and out fighting styles are different enough there's little I could teach her.  I just wanted to force her to her limits to see how tough she was."

"Oh."  Gale looks a bit disappointed.  "I was going to ask if you could give me some pointers, but never mind, I guess."

"Why are you wasting time with a sword instead of your raw strength?" Zenia asks.

"To... learn new things?  Try new stuff?" Gale suggests.  "I need to, y'know, expand my repertoire so I can be more useful."

"Hmph...  I assumed you were an air-headed fool more interested in playing around than fighting, completely reliant on her natural talent with no drive for self-improvement," Zenia rattles off.  "Perhaps I misjudged you."

Gale stares at her, mouth agape.  "Wow.  OK.  Yes, I would say so.  Y'know what?  Forget this, I'll practice on my own..."

---

Alice walks a bit into the woods and lies down in a patch of grass.  She doesn't get long to relax before she's interrupted.  "Alice?" Rhett asks.

She opens her eyes to find him standing over him.  "Yes, Rhett?"

"Are you OK?"

"Well...  I'm not injured.  But I am very tired.  And I'm glad to be home.  Thankful everyone's safe.  But... something's bothering me.  I think I'm worried about that witch from earlier."

"She looked kind of like you."

"Yes, I noticed."

"Except she that weird purple-black color with all the glowing lines.  And the glowing hair.  And the glowing eyes."

"Yes."

"And she was floating a lot."

"Yes."

"And naked."

"Yes.  And there were other differences, but things I can't easily describe to someone who doesn't understand magic."

"OK.  Oh, but don't forget she seemed really mean."

"Yes...  But, she was crying, too.  It seemed like she was in a lot of pain," Alice says sadly.  Before Rhett can continue, she clarifies.  "And not just because of her injuries.  Her... aura was twisted.  Even the spirits surrounding her were crying out, even if you couldn't hear them."

"You seem sad, too," Rhett points out.  "Huh?  Oh.  You're crying."

"Hm...  Yes, it seems I am..." Alice mutters.  "I suppose I just feel sad for her."

"You're really nice."

"Thank you, Rhett.  You should go try to get some sleep."

"Alright.  Bye, Alice."  Rhett turns and leaves her to rest.

A few minutes later, she hears someone else walking through the trees to interrupt her rest.  Alice sighs.

Rand looks around for a bit before his eyes finally settle on her.  "Hey, Alice.  There you are."

"You were looking for me, Prince Rand?  Is something the matter?" Alice asks.

"That's what I came to ask, actually.  Rhett said...  Er, he told me you were out here crying?"

Alice rolls over and rises to her knees.  She sniffs and wipes her eyes.  "I... suppose so."

"What's...  What's wrong?"

Alice shakes her head.  "I don't... really understand it.  Something about that... witch."

Rand hesitates, then takes a seat next to her.  "Are you OK?"

Alice gives a single soft laugh at the repeated question.  "I'm...  I'm not sure.  Father tended to my injuries, but..."  Alice sighs and rubs her arms uncomfortably.

Rand waits patiently for her to continue, while Alice looks at him expectantly, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.  "Oh...  Um..."  Rand awkwardly sidles closer and pulls her into a hug.  "Is this... better?"

Alice sighs again.  "Yes.  Thank you, Prince Rand."

"So, do you want to... talk about it?"

Alice nods.  "She felt... familiar somehow.  And even Rhett mentioned she looked like me..."  She snuggles closer into the hug.  "And... I couldn't help but think... I could end up like that so easily.  Do you understand what a witch is, Rand?"

"Mages who... gave their souls in exchange for power?" Rand says hesitantly.

"Empty husks," Alice adds.  "Trapped...  Trapped in a prison of their own flesh, without even the release of death to look forward to...  I can't...  I can't imagine what it would be like, to be unable to... to enjoy pleasures like... like feeling the grass beneath your feet, or watching the sunrise, or... sharing a hug..."  She sniffs loudly.  "I pity her.  I can't...  It's so terrifying..."

"Alice..."

The pair sit together as the sun rises, the silence occasionally broken by Alice sniffling softly.  "Thank you, Rand..."

Once Alice has calmed down, she asks Rand if he would allow her some time alone.  He readily agrees and excuses himself, and she finally thinks she's going to have a chance to rest.

Like clockwork, just as she's drifting off to sleep, Lily comes stumbling through the trees with her bedroll, looking for somewhere quiet to escape all the people coming to ask what Gale did to piss her off bad enough to warrant a duel.

"Oh...  Alice.  I was looking for somewhere I could rest..."

"I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place..." Alice mutters sleepily.

"Sorry..."

Alice shakes her head and sits up.  "Don't worry about it, Princess.  I was resting, as well.  Would you care to join me?"

"Erm...  Where's your bedroll?"

Alice smiles at her.  "Come, sit with me and you'll understand."

Lily hesitates, then sets her things aside, unlaces her sandals, and sits beside her.  She shudders at the feel of the cool, damp ground.  "Well, this is... interesting..."

Alice giggles.  "I suppose not everyone has my taste in bedding.  What brings you all the way out here?"

"Gale."

"I see..." Alice says.  She yawns and doesn't ask for more explanation.  "She certainly seems to like you."

"She has a funny way of showing it."

"I suppose," Alice admits.  She lies back down and stretches out.  "But, do you dislike the attention?"

"That's... Well, no.  I guess I don't... really dislike it," Lily admits.  "But she's just so intense some-"

Alice her foot against Lily's and the princess jumps noticeably.  Alice giggles softly.  "You're just not used to this sort of thing," she teases.  She reaches up and groggily grabs for Lily's shoulder.

"What are you...?" Lily asks.  Alice pulls her down into a hug.  "Er...  Alice?  This is a bit... uncomfortable."

"Shhh.  Being able to enjoy... a friend's touch... 's one life's... greatest joys...  Nothing to... be embarrassed about...  Just... start small, Princess..." Alice mutters.  "It's not so... bad, right...?"

"I... suppose not," Lily says in a voice that suggests otherwise.

"Good...  You just need to... get used to it..."  Alice yawns and snuggles against Lily.  "Now please... stop talking... so I... can... sleep..."

Napping is lewd now...? I should stop doing it in public, then...
No, Alice and Gale are the magnets. Lily's just gotten herself stuck between them.

And for what it's worth, Alice is wearing her dress for once. Otherwise the bits with Rand and Rhett get a whole lot different...

"Is this it?" Suarrure asks.  He holds up a necklace with a silver figure shaped like a pixie.

"Y-yes!  Yes, it is!" Pixie gasps.

"Heh heh...  It looks like you.  Here."  He walks closer and Pixie holds out her hand to accept it.  Instead, Suarrure reaches around and hangs it from her neck.

"Oh!  Um...  Th-thanks..." she mutters.

"Don't mention it!" Suarrure says.  He stands and smiles and wags his tail.

"...W-well...  Um...  Th-thanks again..." she says awkwardly.  She flaps her wings and flies off as fast as possible.

---

Shep and the rest of the healers spend most of the morning tending to the wounded.  He finishes tucking the last of his patients into bed to rest.  He walks into the next room and immediately flops into the first chair he can find with a groan.

Kelly walks in with a basket of food.  "I brought lunch.  You OK?"

Shep looks up.  "Huh?  Ah, yeah.  Just a bit tired."

Kelly fishes out some roasted fish.  "Don't push yourself too hard.  'Physician heal thyself' or whatever the saying is.  You're useless to us if you pass out from exhaustion."

"Your concern is heartwarming."  Shep accepts the fish and starts pulling it apart.

"Sorry," Kelly says.

"Mmm.  This's a good fish...  Thanks."

"I've also got some fruit."  Kelly passes him an apple.  "You're going to take a break after lunch, right?"

"I need to keep checking up on everyone.  Can't slack off just because I'm tired.  Besides, this is a great opportunity to learn from an old pro," Shep says.  "By the way, how's that injury?  From the other day?"

"Meh."  Kelly lifts her shirt to show a small scar.  "Not so bad as you made it sound like it would be."

"Eh, you've just got nice skin, good self-healing.  You're good to practice on."

"That sounds... kind of creepy," Kelly mutters.

"Yes, yes.  I'm just teasing you," Shep promises.  "I'm glad to see you're better.  And continue to see.  Unless you want to put your shirt down?"

"Oh.  Yeah."  Kelly quickly covers herself.  "So, uh...  How about this.  You finish eating and take a nap, and I'll watch over all those injured guys.  I already got a bit of rest, so I'm good."

"Well...  Promise to wake me if anything happens?"

"If any of them ask for a glass of water, I can probably handle it.  Much more than that and sure."

"Alright, I'm going to take you up on that..." Shep says.  He yawns and hurries to finish his meal.

---

"This tea is delicious, as always.  Thank you for your hard work," Hyun'ji tells Eun'ji.

"Of course, Master."

"Now, please, go rest yourself."

"Of course, Master."  Eun'ji bows as she's dismissed.  She finds Isana waiting around just outside his room and eyes her suspiciously.  "You... are Zenia's servant."

Isana nods.  "Technically I'm the Great Khan's, but I'm more or less Zenia's."

"I assume she didn't send you to spy on us," Eun'ji says flatly.

"Zenia didn't send me at all.  I just wanted to see what sort of relationship you have with your... master."

"And what have you learned?" Eun'ji asks.

Isana closes her eyes and sighs sadly.  "I suppose I've learned I'm a bit jealous."

"Huh?"

"The two of you seem very close.  Friendly.  Almost... like a family."

Eun'ji physically recoils.  "A-are you daft!?  He's...  And I'm...  That's...!"

"Ah, sorry.  I mean no offense.  I just..."  Isana pauses and scratches her head.  "I don't know what I'm trying to say at this point."

"I... suppose you're just saying you want her to acknowledge your efforts.  Understandable."

"No, I...  She knows how skilled I am.  I wish she were a bit more... affectionate.  Like your master.  Perhaps you would like to trade for a few days?" Isana teases.

"I refuse," Eun'ji says bluntly.  "But...  Hm.  Here."  She hands Isana a small bag.  "This is my special blend of tea leaves.  It's designed to promote relaxation.  Try preparing some for Zenia some night before bed.  Forgive me for saying, but she seems like she could use it."

Isana looks at the bag.  "Hm...  Well, I suppose it's worth a try.  Thank you."

---

A sizable crowd gathers as Lily and Gale prepare to face off early in the afternoon.  The two draw their swords and adopt fighting stances.  Gale is the first to move, rushing at Lily with a wild slash.  She catches the blow with her rapier, flips it to the side, and has her blade against Gale's throat in an instant.  The battle is over in a matter of seconds.  The majority of the crowd seems disappointed, but Hawke certainly looks satisfied.

Shortly after, Lily leads an unenthusiastic Gale out to the woods where they can have some privacy.  "So, ready for our actual duel?" she asks.

"Huh?" Gale cocks her head to the side.

"Don't tell me you were satisfied with that.  I know I'm not.  No offense, but you're trash with a sword."  Lily tosses down her sword and tome.  Her cloak, circlet, and sandals soon join them.  "Come on.  No swords.  No transforming.  I didn't want to do this in front of everyone, but here it's just you and me."

Gale's ears shoot up.  "Wait, really?"

"Yep.  I'm going to stomp you into the dirt and prove myself once and for all."

"Oh, yeah!  You're on!"  Gale drops to all fours.  "You remember our bet, though, right?"

"Hpmh.  If you can beat me, you may do as you please.  But that isn't going to happen."  Lily takes a wide fighting stance.  For a moment, Gale can't help but notice how much Lily resembles her father.

Once again, Gale makes the first move, with a diving aimed at Lily's legs.  Lily hops over her as she passes, grabbing Gale's own leg in the process.  She manages to throw Gale to the ground, only to be kicked off in an instant.  The pair trade back and forth, the advantage shifting several times.  Lily manages to pin Gale multiple times, only to be thrown off.  The pair eventually begin to reach the point of exhaustion, panting heavily.  Finally, Gale manages to seize Lily's ankle and wrap her legs around Lily's waist.  "Hehehe...  Looks like I've won, Lily!  And you know what comes next, right?  Any last words?"

Lily pants a few more times, holding up her finger to signal she does have something to say.  "Haaa...  Alright.  As promised.  But just give me a minute to catch my breath, OK?"

"Wellll, OK.  You've been such a good sport about this, I can show you a bit of mercy."  Gale grins and loosens up a bit.

"Hey...  So...  Why we wait.  Why are you like this, anyway?  Always so... y'know.  With me."

"Really?  Are you just stalling, or do you actually want to know...?" Gale asks.

Lily nods.  "A bit of both."

Gale is silent for a moment.  "It feels a bit silly saying it out loud, really..."  Lily gives her a curious look and waits for her to continue.  "It's just... how do I put it?  When we were kids, Rand and I used to play together all the time - we still do - but you...  You always locked yourself in the library or in court or something.  And even the few times you did join us, you were... distant?  I guess I just... feel like you missed out."

"...I see...  I mean, I enjoy attending court, and studying and all those things.  But preparing to be the next queen is..."  Lily smiles at Gale.  "You actually seem to realize it's not all sunshine and rainbows.  But it's my duty.  I can't turn away from it."

"I know.  But, still...  You may be able to fool the others, but Rand and Mina and I can all see right through that fake smile of yours.  I just...  I think you need something to really pull you out of yourself from time to time, y'know?  C'mon, admit you're enjoying yourself.  Am I wrong?"

The pair slip into an awkward silence.  Finally, Lily nods.  "Fine.  Yes.  The tickling, the pranks, they can obnoxious sometimes.  But... this has been... fun?  And good practice.  I wouldn't mind doing this sort of thing more often.  You're... a strange friend, but I can tell your heart's in the right place.  So... I guess I'll just put up with the rest of it."

Gale grins.  "As if you have a choice!"

---

Alice, Rand, Storm, Nevyn, and Lily sit down with Hyun'ji and Zenia to discuss escorting them home.

"You only need to take me as far as the ruins of Mala," Zenia says.  "The Great Khan's sent an escort to bring me home.

"I agreed to be your escort, so it's my duty to see this through," Storm says.

"I want to check out what happened in that town," Kurt says as he appears from the aether.

"Gah!  Kurt!  I've told you not to do that!" Storm yells.

Zenia hides a chuckle.

"That should be a short mission..." Lily says.  "Whichever of us takes her should be able to turn around and head home soon.  I'm worried about what's going on at court."

"So am I," Rand admits.  "Taking Hyun'ji back to Valm could take a few weeks."

"You don't need to come all that way personally," Hyun'ji assures them.  "Once we've managed to charter a ship, we'll be fine."

"Considering the last ship you were on got blown up..." Nevyn mutters.  "I'd like to err on the side of caution."

Alice stares off into space.  "The spirits are calling to me again...  They're telling me I must go to Valm."

Everyone turns to give her a curious look.

She continues to stare into space and speaks in an unusual lilt.  "It is too late to prevent what has been set in motion.  But all hope is not lost.  There will be great pains and trials ahead, that much is inevitable.  But we may yet decide what awaits us on the other side..."

Rand pats her on the back.  "Alice...?"

"...Hm?"

"Are you alright?" Lily asks.

"Yes...?  I'm fine.  Why?"

"Do you... remember everything you just said?" Rand asks.

"Yes?"

"It almost sounded like you were possessed," Lily tells her.

"It happens sometimes.  So, who's going where?"

---

Drake left the party.

---

Valm Team: Hyun'ji, Eun'ji, Nevyn, Alice, Allune
Ferox Team: Zenia, Isana, Storm, Kurt, Harv

Divide your remaining troops between the two.

Rand and Lily must be on separate teams.

Lily - Dark Mage Lord
Rand - Great Wyvern Lord
Mina - Soldier
Gale - Myrmidon
Shep - Bishop
Kelly - Paladin
Hawke - Wyvern Lord
Fei - Warrior
Judoc - Halberdier
Sylvia - Grandmaster
Rhett - Fighter
Suarrure - Dancer
Sorina - General
Carin - Valkyrie
Rakim - Hero
Quinn - Tactician
Keith - Paladin
Gin - Halberdier
Stella - War Cleric
Pixie - Thief

Valm Team: Hyun'ji, Eun'ji, Nevyn, Alice, Allune

Rand - Great Wyvern Lord
Mina - Soldier
Shep - Bishop
Kelly - Paladin
Fei - Warrior
Gin - Halberdier
Sylvia - Grandmaster
Rhett - Fighter
Suarrure - Dancer
Pixy

Team Ferox: Zenia, Isana, Storm, Kurt, Hawk,
Lily, Gale, Stella, Hawke, Quinn, Judoc, Carin, Keith, Rakim, Sorina

wat X sed

Ties put stress on CDM.

Stress puts wrinkles on your face.

Do you want wrinkles on CDM's lovely face?

CDM IS A GOOD BIRD WHO DESERVES A BABY-SMOOTH FACE, MYSTIC!

No bad Just. Slaps Just with a ferret. A wrinkly crow is a sad crow.

Gin is on the right team besides we already have a Halibred on the team.