Cherreads

Chapter 102 - Fire Emblem Part 1 Claire interlude

.

Fire Emblem Path of Radiance.

Fire Emblem Path of Radiance. The set up here was crazy. An ancient Daen Prince. Half Beorc (Human) and Laguz(Dragon) AzuI and a few others left Daen and moved to Serene's forest and rested there. For blasted centuries at that. Mother and Father died no siblings. He was directly related to Ashnard. Who was just a young cousin. A crest on his hand that marked Azul as Daen royalty. The funny thing, it was just a Sword, Lance, and an Axe. Azul in this place survived the blood purging that Ashnard orchestrated.

The other Azul was in Begnion causing mischief there. With the Thessia sisters nearby in the Forest with the new Heron Queen. Traveling out of Serene's forest was easy for him. He basically just followed a path through it or used trees to teleport around.

Which he was doing now. He was trying his best to not run into someone. But that was just not gonna happen. She was his sister in law and he guesses she needed to be saved.

"Over there Azul." Claire said pointing. He should have known she would be the one to find her. Pulling in her Heron wings she stared back at him expectantly. "I can not believe you have that little one as your sister-in-law. And the Thessia sisters are all Heron's here. Maybe I am not needed after all."

"Ok.. ok. I am coming." Just his luck, Kasumi decided to go with the other group again. Walking up, they came across the Heron Leanne, sticking his hand out Azul communicated with the Forest letting it know he was not gonna hurt the child. "I can leave her right here if you cause trouble."

"Nonsense, take her with!" Claire exclaimed. "Better she meets up with her sister."

System: Repopulate the Herons. Protect princess Leanne

Rewards: Herons will follow you as loyal retainers. Racial ability will boost the growth rate of animal abilities. Holy Magic becomes stronger.

"I accept. Of course there would be a catch." AzuI watched as the trees part and Leanne was free. He looked to Claire with a forced smile. "She is your responsibility. Be careful though, normal Herons dont fight remember. See if you can cast something on her to hide the wings."

Looking around AzuI watched as a few corpses of the race appeared. Encircling them in biotics, they were cleansed. He watched the remnants of their souls flow towards him. Absorbing them all, he sent them all to his NetherWorld to strengthen. He could feel the Thessia sisters getting to work with the ones that were strong enough already.

AzuI didnt know Claire was watching everything he did. Hearing a noise he turned seeing her cast a spell. It was on Leanne, not a spell to hide her wings but something else instead. The young heron looked healthier all of a sudden. More stong somehow. Claire approached him slowly and very focused.

"What is it? It better not be any more of that crap you pulled before."

"Are you not attracted to her?" She said pointing behind her.

"Her. Hell no. She is a child who do you take me for?" AzuI looked at her like she lost it. 'What all happened to her in the future? She is asking the same thing Agria asked. I do not sense any thing really different. I might be over thinking things.'

"Age is nothing to men in power." Claire said this a little accusingly. AzuI would have been offended but her biotic strands were so hectic. In a dash, he grabbed and hugged her. "You could take on so many others. Why not do it?"

The image of Agria overlapped her a bit. The hair was longer and a bit of a weathered look, but it was there.

"I have done you a grave disservice. I have forgotten you were from a monastery before everything happened. You were one of the first to come with me and change your whole world. I need to remedy that. Tell me how I can help you?"

Claire waited for a while then leaned back into him. A small breeze showed Claire's hair sticking out. The weird pink shaking his senses. The overlay faded.

"Shit! Sorry, Claire. You looked so close to her. I almost couldnt tell the difference." Azul said apologizing.

"No problem." She stared deep into his eyes and he could see and feel her insecurities. "Treat me like a woman. Not like her. Not like a battle nun or as a daughter of the emperor. Look at me the way you do the others. The way you did in the future. I was your knight. I was your sword! I killed you and you are not even angry about it!"

"Because I ask you to. To protect the others. Nothing to be mad about." Azul shrugged not knowing what else to do. "You are here now and strong. I will not ask you do that again of course."

"But I can do it!" Claire pounded against Azul's chest. "I can do it! Trust me!"

"Huh I do. I was just trying to be respectful. I do fail at that a lot usually. Considering your vows, I tried to be at least mindful of that." AzuI then remember that kiss. "Considering the way you kissed me, I have no idea what the hell you are thinking most times. I mean do not get me wrong, you are hot but I am not really sure.. how to proceed actually."

"My vows? Haa haa haha. That is hilarious." Claire started to control her laughter when she saw Azul's face. "Sometimes I wish you did not respect our privacy. You havent read the charter for the sisterhood have you?" Azul shook his head. "Neither the one I started up to huh?"

"No. Mileuda is in charge of that still. Is there something I am missing?" She completely disregard the kiss statement. "Just tell me. No need to be rude about it." Azul felt Leanne stir a little to the side.

"Remember the last Sisterhood you had?" Claire smile was starting to irk him a little.

"Ummm yes and no. A lot was changed this time. So not really. The notes I received had no changes in it." Azul thought it over and rechecked his messages. "Yeah, nothing there." Claire walked over showing her Omni-tool. "I do not get those messages. Not part of my need to know."

"It means you have seen the Sisters as a means for your job to get done. That is very rewarding in its own right. Not as sexual chattel to went your frustrations." Claire smiled happily and shook her head coming to an answer about something AzuI didnt know about. "You are a powerful man. You will get stronger as time goes by again." Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled herself close. "I want you as a man. Am I desirable enough for you? Or am I to ugly, I know how you do not like pink?"

"I am surrounded by beautiful women all day. You are defintely one of them." Seeing her unblinking gaze AzuI rembered how silly they were acting. He leaned in and kissed her. Seeing her unperturbed face, he pulled back and looked again. This time using his Pather power to help convey his feelings and thoughts to her directly. He felt it then. She had two souls inside her. "You are carrying someone with you."

Her eyes dilated and she held him tighter. Her wings came out in full glory and lit up Serenes forest. It felt familiar holding her. Like he had done it several times before. The same as when Agria did it.

"That was good. I am content now. Knowing you actually feel for me is good enough. Let us take care of this World, my King. No, my Overlord." Claire smiled brightly as she pulled her wings back in. "Hmm, I won the bet."

"What bet?" AzuI was a little confused to say the least.

"That you would react like this. Soon I will have a surprise for you. But it is not ready just yet." She gave a wink moving back a little. "Just need to be patient."

"Well if .. no, you are right." Pulling her closer with a biotic Pull, Azul gave her a deeper kiss. He felt the Laguz blood getting restless. His title as King of Serenes Forest started pulsing slightly. Giving him additional power. Letting her go, AzuI realized his dragon tail had wrapped around her. "Claire... just remember you opened this door between us. For better or worse I won't stop. Unless you tell me to."

"Mhm ok." Claire said with her cheeks flushed a little. "As long as I am getting what Quistis is getting, I won't complain." She looked at the ground taking a sudden interest in it. Her pink hair shining in the light. "Later.. I will show you something. Do not be mad at me. It is nothing bad."

"That is good to know. Grab Leanne and come with me." For the next two hours, AzuI collected the souls of the departed Herons. There was a lot of them. Also a few others as well. Soldiers that died over the years. 'Haa at least the feeling is just her playing around. Better than the original Claire from the series.'

Right as they head back to the gate for the forest, Galtea made her presence known again.

Galtea: I am back Azul.

'Good timing. We just made it back inside the ship.'

Galtea: Glad you are ok.

'About as good as I ever will be. We have some Herons and a few others added to the Nether World now. As well a new quest. Take a look.' With that, he gave her access to the new mission log update. 'Oh yeah, that excess power I have I want you to take a portion of it.'

Galtea: Alright but why..

'I need you to use it for when I am done here. I am going spend a great deal of time in Final Fantasy X World as well as finishing stuff Mass Effect. I want to completely finish those two. Before I end up having to deal with Magic the Gathering.'

AzuI felt it would be best to end both of those. He didnt know what that would do to Final Fantasy X-2 this time. He also didnt really care. A sense of urgency came over the last time he wanted to finish that place and not let it fester. But when he popped to update the him there, Anima said everything was fine.

Galtea: That sounds like a plan. The other Worlds timelines are a little off anyway. Warhammer defintely won't have any issues time-wise. Neither will Tactics considering how you left it last. As for a few of the others you can pop in just to solve a small thing or to. I will coordinate with the others.

'Sounds good.' AzuI looked to Claire who was working on something. Her biotic strands were in complete control. He couldnt read her. Only difference he notices were her eyes were white now. 'What in the blazes is going on with her?'

"I am fine you know. Just working on something small. Oh, King of Daein." Claire smirked. 'Why is Galtea so distant though? Those two were all over each other at times. Maybe something happened recently?'

Galtea: I will get started on that. Hilda should be connecting shortly.

"Alright." Azul answered gruffly.

Hilda: Alright the other's have gathered outside the entrance. The ones who survived. Like you, they have full control of their Laguz state. They can pass as human no problem. A portion of your points were spent explaining to them what has transpired. I spoke to them as a Goddess and told them they will be sealed away if they didnt follow you.

'Nice. Well, you kind of are a Goddess. So your not lying.'

Hilda: Thank you. A few personal forces have been created from your Nether World. They have been given the soul of those you connected in the forest. So they will remain here as natural people of the World. As for their levels, a good portion was spent to make them at least level two. You have 150 Destroyers as well as 150 Valkyries to defend the Herons. To keep up appearances anyway. All in Daein armor to represent you of course.

'Yeah that will do fine. With all the killing they will do.. they should become elites quickly.' AzuI had a weird bit of thought and changed something up right quick. 'Create five Heron's and five Dragon Laguz for Claire. As well as five Squires to act as attendees for me.'

Hilda: Very well. Wait! How bout sending Tiffany to act as your personal bodyguard? She needs to get out of your Nether World. Kasumi Primary Soul is also interested in coming back all of a sudden.

"Answer yes to both." AzuI waited for them both to appear. He was not expecting the other suprise. Alita was completely separate from Kasumi. Not with Tiffany either. She looked at Claire and the two shared a strange look. Claire just smiled and nodded. "Ok.. that was weird."

"Good day betrothed." Alita said walking over and biting Azul's neck. She marked him with her scent. "There, now we match." A little blood was licked from the mark and Azul could feel she grew stronger some how.

"Yeah.. we do." Azul then rembered the time he bit her throat. Looking to Kasumi her neck was fine it healed. "Blasted Deja Vu." But when he looked to Alita it was still there. "Why did you keep it?" AzuI said running his hand along the scar. He could feel her shiver to his touch. His Dragon was happy as can be.

"Because you beat me once. I needed it to happen. Even with out me being a fully powered dragon I still have my instincts. I just need to be tamed." Alita ran her hand down his side and cut a little at his clothes. "Besides if you disapprove, I will set us free as well as try to kill you for being weak."

"Us?" Azul head rocked to the side a bit. He had know idea who she was talking about. "Nahh, that ain't gonna fly. You are mine!" His Dragon had seeped in and wanted to make sure she understood. The grip around her arms awarded him a look from her. "No take-backs." She nodded and licked his face. A different spot then others did.

System: Medium Pull.. target found. Ogre Battle 64. Magnus ??? has agreed to follow User. Request only he returns to his World in the future to help change things.

'Sounds fine by me. Freeze his World for the setup can work better. I am claiming it as my own.' Azul felt the System go to work as his request was honored in an instant. 'Inform Lettie as well Hilda. This will be a world the two of us will go to claim.'

Hilda: Very well. I like this place. I will mark myself as your Operator for there.

"Alright lovebirds let's go." Claire said with her hand next to her chin. She watched with a small twinkle in her eye. "Or is it little lizards?" She would not tell Azul what happened to Alita in the future. 'I doubt it happens here anyway.'

"Pft, they are some really big lizards." Kasumi laughed as they left the ship. Those on the outside just saw the trees part. It closed up once they arrived. 'Haa near his side is much fun. The others are just to hollow. I can not believe I miss the killy killy him though. It might have been bad receiving those memories from Claire.'

"Alright listen up." Claire said. She took charge with practice ease. "We are headed to the area close to Crimea and Gallia. Our Sanctuary will remain in the Forest there. Some of you will remain near it to guard. The rest will engage the enemy. They are our misguided Daen soldiers. Try to subdue them first. If they dont submit, we will send them on their way to the afterlife!"

"Woooo!" The soldiers cheered happily to her. She was good at inspiring people. Much more than before.

"Alright, another small group will help secure the Princess of Crimea." AzuI said as the spell started to activate taking them from the forest. "Me, Kasumi, and Alita will make contact with Ike dealing with the bandits."

"Wait what about me?" Tiffany asked.

"I want you overseeing the Sanctuary." AzuI felt her become a little apprehensive. "Look, I want you to talk with those Herons as well as talk with the one's that are getting reborn in the Sanctuary. You have fought a lot in Warhammer already and back in your World. Consider this a break for you. If that doesn't work consider it a direct order."

"Very well. I will obey." She closed her eyes and walked off. The new Honor guards assigned to her following suit.

"Hmm." Azul sent a message to Hotshot and the others in the Sanctuary. They were to give her a little disciple and check her over. 'They were able to do a lot for me. They should be able to do the same for her.'

"Hey!" Claire poked Azul's side. "She will be fine. I will spar with her when we get back. I know something about breaking in Daemons."

"Alright then." Azul nodded. They turned to deal with the next part. The Biotic strands from his people were all happy. Which was a bit of a first. 'Hope the me in Begnion is doing ok.'

.

-Begnion Capital-

.

"I think they are stupid." Azul said to Shun. The two were in a meeting talking things over. Several members of their House was getting restless.

"Well people like using others to feel important." Azul leaned at the head of the table. The other family members griping and groaning. He told them they can leave if they want. He would not stop them.

Azul had cracked down hard on Laguz slavery. None on his lands were shackled. They were allowed freedom and lived good lives. The Nobles that visited causing trouble were dealt with. The spy's they sent in were killed in gruesome manners. Shun had warmed up to the way things were done. Azul killed those who trespassed and caused problems for the Empress. Nothing more really.

The relationship the man had with Riku was not discussed. Azul did not want to know at all.

"My Overlord! The Senators are here again!" A scribe ran in. It was a male Crow Laguz. He heard Selvaria call him that once before and it spread like wildfire. "I told them you were in session but they refused to leave. The guards had to restrain them once they started attacking."

"Haa, gues have to kill a few more." Azul sighed getting up. "Come on Bastion, I know you like it when the idiots get punished. The Crow Laguz wings flapped happily. He was a third-generation Laguz slave. His grandparents and parents cried the day Azul found them running away.

"Of course." Bastion followed along. Shun remained behind to continue the meeting.

Outside at least 200 Begnion guards were on the ground. Several guards composed of Beorc and Laguz had them pinned. The cried and grumbled indignant.

"Let us go you filthy bastards!" A senator yelled. "I will have you skinned for this!"

"Oh really?" Azul was suprised at the man to have the sheer balls to threaten on his lands. "You know the rules. Sting him up and remove his clothes. Do an investigation on him. If he has acted up, we will give punishment accordingly."

"Of course!" A guard said. The senator was then strung up to the side. Gagged as Azul questioned the others.

"What bullshit do you have for me now?"

"A summons by the Senate." A guard that did not cause problems said. He handed the scroll over unbothered. He was use to this everytime he came. The others just refused to listen. "Not with the Empress signature. I assume you will ignore as usual?"

"Of course I will." Azul answered with a smirk. "I am not like these fools Kincade."

"Very well." Kincade saluted and left. He stopped right before leaving. " Word has spread about Daein making a move. Heard they are planning to attack Crimea. My master thought you would want to know."

"Thank you. It is appreciated. You make take them with you. Minus the one of course." Azul pointed to the one senator strung up. "If I find bad stuff, I will peel his hide and burn hi at the stake." Kincade nodded as the others were picked up from the ground. Minus armor and weapons. Just trousers. "I thank you for the continued weapons."

The biotic strands from the disgraced soldiers and senators made Azul giddy. A lot of them would strike out in rage, which was fine. Azul would kill them in retaliation. Cleaning up Begnion one scumbag at a time.

More Chapters