The others had secured the princess with Ike and company. During the few days, AzuI trained with Kasumi. As well as spent time with Alita fighting as Dragons. Claire had snuck away from him the first night. They didnt have that talk. It was frustrating but he left it alone. Especially after Lluvia sent him the reason why. A few of the others had arrived and they left the Sanctuary.
Lluvia: Claire has gone to capture Micaiah with Tiffany. The two are wearing your Daein colors to help spread your name. She will come by force if necessary. I know how much you wat to take care of some things in one go. So after obtaining her, Micaiah will be brought to Begnion.
'Very well. Makes sense.' Azul looked over to Magnus. He was dressed a little like Ike. A quiet stalwart demeanor drew the attention of some of the mercenaries to him. 'Haa, need to speak with him later. But he seeems content right now.
Standing in the Compound AzuI, stood in front of Gawain. They were going to fight. Which something Azul seriously needed. He wanted proof that AzuI was capable of doing what he said. AzuI just looked at the quest that was visible to him.
System: Quest: Defeat Gawain. Spread your name.
Reward: Recognize as the heir of Daein. Gawain's loyalty.
Failure: Loss of personnel, loss of respect.
'Of course, that would happen.' AzuI thought as he waited. He then felt Hilda tug at him. So he entered his Nether World mentally for a bit. "What's going on?"
"The Serene forest that bonded with you has given you some things." Lluvia said appearing as well. "That title is something else. I cannot get over all the benefits. It is doing something to protect you though. Something in this World has set its sights on you. I can not tell what."
"Helping to clear your minds or at least contain it for you. It is unusual to say the least. No records of any User or Operator reporting this still." Hilda looked over the files annoyed. "She better come her and get off her ass!"
"Who?" azul asked in wonder.
"Me." A voice came from the side. Unlike before her hair was purple. It was tied in the back and reached down pass her knees. She was lightly armored with most of her clothes purple and silver. "What, do not like my new look?"
"Nope." Azul answered honestly. "You other was better."
"Humph, whatever." Altina pouted. "Result of breaking from the Goddess. I am your Follower now so do not cause me any trouble." A World shard floated over to Azul. "Your reward ahead of time fas well as payment for the Heron's you created."
System: Altina Begnion has agreed to be your Follower. World Shard has been awarded. 2 more to collect to have full control of the World.
"Thanks. What are you going to do now?" Azul sent the shard to his Neth Heart for safe keeping. He could feel Mira grab hold of it and secure it with the others. Right now, he was not strong enough to take in its power. Even more so with him planning on doing a few other crazy ideas.
"To watch and wait. And visit my descendants with you of course." Altina smirked seeing Azul face twist uncomfortably. "Not anytime soon. A want to talk with these people." She pointed to Zelda and Dyshana that came over.
"It will dispate in a while but it is odd." Hilda said looking at a tree that had appeared in Azul's Nether World. It was much bigger than the one he received last time. "It has also given me some knowledge. Some kind of Galdr and a way for you to absorb Lehran's medallion better. I have no idea why that is. It knew you were planning to do it."
"You remember what that is?" Lluvia asked. "Oh! Claire is already on her way back. Lettie had joined up with Tiffany to help her. She should be there around the time the fight starts. Lettie is really excitied to fight in that World.
"A medal that has been absorbing the madness and some other thing's of this World." AzuI said looking at the tree. A few spirits flickering around it. The Nether World increasing the strength slowly. "If it is a purple-haired woman it is Ike's mother's spirit. If it is a blond woman, then most likely a Heron. If either causes trouble. Let me know and we will kill them and be done with it."
"That is understandable," Lluvia said. "But you are ok as long as they dont cause trouble right?"
"Yup. I dont care if they are doing god knows what. As long as they are not causing trouble for me. Hmmm, screw it." Azul spent the mana to give the women shape. "Later!" He left right after.
Meshua, Yoram, Misaha, and Elena appeared. The three were naked which caused Altina to freak out. She rushed over covering them up. She did not notice that Azul was not there.
"Haaa he is so petty some times." Hilda sighed. A sigh on her face made her happy though. Azul sent her information on what to do with them. "A few priests to train. Not bad at all."
"Fwoosh!" They were wrapped up in magic clothed. Each received a mark of indoctrination on them. Considering they would be close to something that cause him trouble, it needed to be done. It would also resist the call from the Chaos Gods. Especially Nurgle who marveled at the purity of their souls.
"A small drop of the World's power," Lluvia said looking at them then the tree. "But why Azul? he doesn't match the ideals of the race of herons or the forest spirit anyway. I still believe that."
"I think it is biding it's time for something that is connecting to the World." Hilda said pulling her hand from the statue. "We will find out eventually." She started to sing to the statue. It echoed throughout the Nether World. It felt calming to Azul on the outside. He put his main focus ahead for the fight.
.
-A showdown-
.
"Your people have proven to be fine warriors. Honorable if not brutal at times." Gawain said. "Can the same be said for you?"
"Heh, the people make the man. And the ruler makes the people." AzuI said placing Ostia on his shoulders. It generated from the Growlanser ring he currently wore. The name was fitting to name it that anyway. "Come Gawain, show me the reason why you were called the Divine Knight!"
"Cocky!" Gawain said as he swung his axe. AzuI turned Ostia to match against him. 'Strong!' Gawain saw behind Azul's swing. The force was pure power no magic involved.
"Ching!" The weapons hit making a beautiful sound. AzuI had the upper hand in strength. His Dragon was happy. This was someone it wanted to fight against. Gawain flicked his axe downward breaking free of the clash.
Azul was ready for that.
"Swish!" As the axe cut through the air right above the ground before coming up. AzuI stepped to the right and back sideways. The base of Ostia hit against Gawain's hands.
"Ugh!" The force was enough to make the man grunt. A knuckle was broken. Gawain gritted through the pain and righted his posture. "Hah!" A full swing that looked like a critcal was coming at him.
AzuI watched as the axe passed right by his face. Gawain turned it in the air and spun on the ball of his feet. "Rah!" Gawain yelled as the axe came across with blinding speed to a normal person.
"Heh, slow." AzuI looked at him directly in the eyes.
"Tut!" He used his left foot stepping back and kicked off it. Coming up to his side with his left fist. "Bam!" AzuI punched him hard enough that it broke a few ribs.
"Kuk!" Gawain coughed up some blood. He buckled a little and came down to a knee. That's what it looked like anyway.
'That feint again' AzuI thought. He was right as the axe came down next. 'So skilled and tough.' AzuI grinned as he stepped away.
"Tut, tut, tut, tut!" The ground did not fair well as Azul was falling back. "Thump!" He watched the axe bury into the ground. With a push of force sound boke.
"Boom!" Dirt went flying everywhere.
"Swish!" The sound of another axe swing. It cut into the dirt, sending chunks, bathing the area in dust.
'That is some fast movement. Different than last time. Maybe from his special skill that let's him chain movements like that?' AzuI fell into thought with his third mind as the primary kept track of the fighting.
It took only two seconds before he came barreling through the dust. Like a rampaging bull that would scare a regular man. A throbbing memory that was pushed away instantly.
'A nice warrior.' Magnus thought. He kept firm eyes on the fight.
"Thump, thump!" Azul hearts thumped and activate Adrenaline Rush. His axe came down faster than his eyes could track before. But not this time or faster than his senses. AzuI dropped Ostia. Reaching out, he grabbed Gawain's wrist.
System: Athletics Check 35 Pass
"Powerful. Very powerful and skilled." AzuI said as he stared at him. He tried to move the axe from his grip. Azul was not gonna let him. "Lv7 Misty Fist." The water wrapped around both of his hands. Denser than ever had before. "You left yourself open."
"What?!" Gawain said slightly shocked as his eyes left the area where his axe met Azul's hand.
"Crack!" AzuI broke the axe.
"Wham!" He punched him in the gut lifting him off the ground. He held him up in the air for a bit. His Dragon took a better liking to him even more. 'Maybe I should go all out on him. No, that wouldn't be right, he is a Swordsman, not an Axeman. I need to heal him first.' Looking around right quick, he caught everyone's attention and smiled. "I could kill him right now. For treason, for desertion, for abandoning the country to that monster Ashnard."
"Ha ha ha.. why don't you then?" Gawain looked at Azul defiantly. A bit of fire in his eyes. "Tell me, prince!"
"Because you were the people's hero. More then anything, the Daein citizens need that. Not Ashnard or a man like me. Someone like you with heart. You left for all the right reasons. I cannot fault you for that. However, I can fault you for the way you did it." AzuI shook his head slowly. "Better minds at work is the reason as well."
He dropped to the ground as AzuI stepped back. His hand went down to grip the dirt. His other hand holding the axe pommel still.
"You and I both know you have done a poor job on Ike. A fine warrior template but... lacking in other areas." AzuI said smiling at the man. "He needs more training from you. Not this half-ass shit you are teaching him with crippling yourself. How stupid is that? You limited yourself to atone for what you did. Yet you forgot about all the different enemies you have in waiting. You forgot about the stupid medallion you took with you." AzuI snarled as he towered over him. "Elena would be appalled at this!"
"I thought... I thought it would be enough. I still. I still felt.." Gawain said a little depressed. "Running was the best option!"
"Not in the least. Running eventually comes to an end. More dangerous then anything." AzuI outstretched his hands toward him. The waters was already healing Gawain wounds. "Mental Cleasning." This cleared the mental fog from his mind.
"Thank you." Gawain said with a little more strength in his voice. "My obligation.."
"You felt obligated to your people. To the Daein citizenry by running." AzuI started smiling. "Hah! Then why not help take back Daein. Help me punish the corrupt nobles of Begnion. Cut off there overreaching hand. Lend me your sword to restore peace and prosperity to Tellius. When the bloodshed is over, you and the other Four riders can elect a leader to rule."
System: The world is revolting against your plan.. Serenes Forest has intervened. Processing..
Reaper Node: Mission: Restore Daein to a standard kingdom. Rewards based on the population at the end of the war.
Gawain looked shocked. "You do not wish to rule?"
"No. That is defintely not my place. At least the way I currently am. I will come back to defend it or kill whatever monster threatens it." AzuI let out a small sigh of regret. He remembered Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. As well as what Altina showed him. 'That other threat will be a problem. She is not needed for the Daein I am going to build. That and I dont like her still. Valid reasons. Micaiah is such a pain... why did I have to do that stuff with Begnion the way I did?' Azul almost slippe dinto deep thought before focusing back again.
"You ok?" Kasumi asked. Azul gave a nod.
"You will be electing a ruling Monarch. I will be King still. Or I will take a Wife to help govern. She will not be a puppet, do you understand?" He nodded. "Stuff for down the line, nothing for right now anyway. AzuI looked at the others. Any of you want to be Queen?"
"I.I...I. no!" Kasumi said flustered. Her biotic strands said otherwise.
Alita looked puzzled for a moment. She thought about it, then shrugged. "No need. I am already bonded to you. That is a useless title."
"Sigh.. gonna need a blasted queen. Ughh more things for down the line." Not much I could do with all my relationships just odd to say the least. "Maybe Tietra wants to be queen?"
"I.. agree. But It will be my axe arm. Not my sword arm." Gawain said with a wain smile.
"No, it will be your sword arm." With that, I grabbed his wrist and sent a burst of rune magic into it.
"Aaah!" Gawain screamed in pain. Ike started to charge over before he was lifted in the air from a shoulder throw from Claire.
As soon as he landed, she had her foot on top him. "Stay! Do not make me get serious child." Claire said chillingly. "He is healing him."
Gawain started to calm himself down. In a few minutes, he rotated his wrist and felt relief. "It is healed.. how did you. No, it was magic that is good enough, for me."
"That is good." Seeing him kneel in front, AzuI knew what he was doing. He channeled some magic into another Growlanser ring. A pitch-black axe with a dragon head appeared on the pommel. Along the spine of the shaft was a heron chained up. Azul placed it in Gawain's hand. It reverted back to normal.
"Hmm." Azul pulled back out Ostia. While this was going on, Claire watched closely. "Look up Gawain." He obeyed and stared at Azul resolutely.
"Will you return me my title for I can ride at your side?" A powerful steel in his voice.
"Of course, but first you need to know. There will be killing. A lot of it. In my right hand is the peaceful path. In my left.. the path of bloodshed. Choose which you think is best."
Gawain knelt for awhile his hand looked to the axe then towards Azul's opened palm.
"You cant make father decide this!" Mist said speaking with tears welling in her eyes. "Please stop."
"Mist.. step back," Gawain said with fatherly tone in his voice. "You are not a baby anymore. You have to grow up now. I am sorry I was not a better father for you. I broke my oath in the past. This is a chance for me to do the right thing now." Turning to the side he cut his cheek on the axe.
System: Magic Check 45 Pass
AzuI felt happy about his decision, so he spoke with as much regality he could muster. "The blood you spill in my name. Each body that drops.. each .. person you take from a loved one, it weighs on me. I trust your judgment. Now rise Gawain, First Rider of Daein." With that, AzuI activated the Heaven Seal and channeled it through the weapon. Even though it didn't exist in this Fire Emblem it would work still.
Gawain was adorned in light. Standing up his cape and armor were mended. A healthy look on his face and his eyes very clear. No longer plagued by doubt and uncertainty. The stress lifted from him.
"Thank you, your majesty. I promise to not fail again."
Observe: Gawain ???? Class: Hero Lvl 20 Second Class: King's Knight Lv5
Specialty: Bodyguard, Mercenary
Relations: First Rider of New Daein
Status: Optimistic, Worried
"I know you will do your best. Now for the love of the people, do me a favor and talk to Titania there. That woman loves you something fierce." AzuI really wanted them to get togethor. The possessive part of him wanted her but.. this was way better. Nurgle grumbled a bit. "I will leave you to it. After this, we will deal with the princess of Crimea."
Getting up slowly, Gawain looked at him. AzuI stared back puzzled. "You are not going to kill her are you?"
"Huh, hell no. The little pigeon is fine. I just thought you wanted to keep your old agreements with her people or something." AzuI couldn't help but smile. This man was still of the righteous sort. Something that could keep Azul from going off the deep end while he was here. "We are escorting her to Gallia still. Unless you decided against it now?"
"No. Not at all. I am glad we are doing so. This is the Daein I wish to be a part of." Looking over to Mist he walked over and started talking to her. AzuI looked at Ike. He beckoned him over. Titania watched from the side until he called her to join them.
"What is it.. your majesty?" His voice was awkward as hell.
"Ugh, just call me Boss or Commander. That is an order." He was shocked at the words but nodded his head. "You want to be strong right?" He nodded. "Then never stop training and never stop being who you are. I have someone I want you to train with. Actually, several someones at that." I signal Lighting to come over. "This is... Claire. I call her Lighting more often than not. She will spar with you from time to time."
"Right.. thanks... Commander." Ike then looked to Lighting who gave him a nod as she sized him up. "Well how about tomorrow when things calm down after we make camp?"
"Sounds good." Lighting's answer came out plain. She looked at Azul. "We can spare right now, right? Your not to winded from fighting Gawain are you?" She was taunting him for some reason.
"Right... I am not. So let's do it." AzuI felt a desire to beat her. "So we calling this fight part of the previous ones?"
"Works fine with me. No draw this time." Lighting said with a little mirth in her voice.
"Hah, you only lasted that long because I wasnt serious yet." AzuI said as he put Ostia away. "I will show what I have achieved here and now. "Misty Fist Lv7." Claire smiled as they started to fight.