This has been in the works for a while. I started this story two years ago with intent to have it done before 2019 but life does not always go according to plan. In the downtime I had, I went back to the chapters I had already finished and published, and saw how much retouching there needed to be done.
This is just a work-in-progress, and I doubt I would be able to fit the actual chapter into a single post due to the character limit on Reddit. But your feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Here is the original draft of the first chapter I had published.
Thank you. Please enjoy.
—White. As far as the eye could see.
Silence. As far as her ears could hear.
Blank.
Emptiness.
Void.
The flesh-scorching heat, the piercing clash of swords, the vile stench of death. Every fiber of her body remembered each sensation vividly without fail. Her skin still crackled from the intense flames. Her arms ached and her ears rang from the thunderous cacophony of clashing blades. Her stomach churned as death raked at her scent.
Yet here, in this place, there was nothing.
Nothing. Not even death.
Gone. Everything was gone.
But she did not have the time to ponder why she was there or what brought her here. A deafening explosion collapsed the white world she was an encased in. Like shattered glass, the world crumbled away along with her thoughts as it was swept away by—
An eruption of dust, a pillar of cloud, a blinding light.
Marth found herself in a daze and an unfamiliar place as she stumbled off of an altar-like pedestal that still hummed with otherworldly magic. A quiver in her step, Marth hesitantly climbed down the marble steps trailing down from the altar, a single question plaguing her thoughts ceaselessly.
Where was she?
Had the goddess Naga sent her to this realm or was this some cruel, divine jape that she was torn from her world of utter destruction and madness and taken somewhere that felt so… peaceful?
From the slits of her mask, she could that the plumes of smoke and fire that ravaged the lands were replaced with robust trees and lively flowers, in full bloom, full of life. The altar was at the center of some sort of garden, filled with magnificent flowerbeds, and gigantic white marble columns that climbed high into the sky. There weren't many of these back home. They had been all but turned to ash, just like everything else that remained of the old world.
But everything here was vibrant and alive, a stark departure from what Marth had always seen for as long as she could remember. She continued walking across the empty garden, her lone footsteps echoing against the paved stone beneath her feet.
The garden was bathed in warm light, casting her long shadow across a bed of beautiful flowers as the winds gently caressed the weary warrior's coarse and scarred skin. The sun's light almost hurt her eyes, which were used to only living in the shadow of dark clouds beneath a crimson, ashen sky. Among the flowers that lay before her, a single blue one caught her eye, its azure colors making it stand out from its softer-hued brethren. She slowly reached it, her fingertips grazing its silky petals as it danced along her hand in the gentle breeze. Marth caught the faint scent that wafted from the cerulean flower.
Though the sweet-scented fragrance of all the unrecognizable flowers gently drifted by her, all Marth could still smell mostly about her was the reek of death. It clung to her, burrowed in her skin like a parasite, reminding her she did not belong in this peaceful land. Her place was at the battlefield, smothered in blood and death. Though her hand now softly rested against the defenseless flower, Marth still felt the weight of the sword in her gloved hands, and the smell of death it always gave off.
That smell that would never go away.
"Uh, hello there!"
A friendly voice broke the garden's silence, another foreign sound to the masked warrior. Just as natural as breathing, Marth quickly reached for the sword that hung untouched for too long at her side and unsheathed it just as swiftly, its silver blade flowing out the scabbard like water, and shimmering just as brilliantly in the radiant sunlight of this land. She held it before her, vigilantly, searching for the owner of the voice that spoke out to her.
"A-ah... please! I mean no harm! I-I come as a friend! A really, really friendly one!"
There was a brief rustle of leaves but whoever spoke to her hid from her sight. Its previously cordial tone was now colored with fear. Instantly, Marth regretted acting so brashly. This wasn't the battlefield; it was the furthest thing from it. She knew she was acting on instinct but was this truly the place to wield her sword about? What was she thinking?
Sighing, she retreated her sword back into its sheath, the blade sliding smoothly back into its home. She rested her hand along the pommel.
"My apologies," Marth announced loudly, cupping her hand against her mouth. She hoped the voice would hear her and see that she meant no harm. "I was... startled." She explained poorly.
Marth's eyes darted along the columns and arches that lined the garden's walkway, trying to see if she could spot out whoever had called out to her. The voice hadn't replied back to her yet, so she wasn't able to use sound to judge where it had come from but her time on the battlefield gave her a keen set of eyes. She could track the slightest movement as long as she focused. And before long, Marth saw an orange tuft of hair peeking from behind a hedge, and it immediately ducking back into the green as soon as Marth laid eyes on it. She sighed.
While still feeling sorry for her unwarranted brashness, Marth had no desire to play along with whatever the voice's antics were. "I can see you, you know." She pointed out, the orange tuft visibly flinching at her voice.
"Aw, drat."
The voice had finally replied, and upon a closer listen, Marth realized it would have belonged to a young girl. And in a moment, she was right.
The clump of hair moved away from the foliage and out of the hedge came a petite young girl. She couldn't have been less than a year into her maidenhood and now meekly stood before Marth, arms and hands wrapped together, like a child being scolded. From her body language, Marth could immediately tell that the girl had meant what she said. She truly meant no harm. Marth may not have been the most intimidating warrior around but even she would look like a vicious ruffian when put up against the little lamb of a girl before her.
The girl was fair-skinned and dressed rather modestly, wearing but a simple apricot-colored dress hemmed in blue at the wrist and feet, golden embroidery running along the waist. The girl also had a plain blue ribbon wrapped on her head, most likely to keep her orange wool-like hair in check. A small wooden staff was slung on one of her shoulders, with the other shoulder occupied by, curiously, a sleeping, snowy-white owl, perched snugly on her tiny shoulders.
A pang of guilt struck Marth's heart. She had nearly used her sword on the defenseless girl.
"I-I didn't realize you were a child..." Marth muttered, apologetically. "I'm sorry... for acting out of line."
Instantly, all the fear on the girl's face fell away, as if a mask had pulled from her face. Puffing her tiny cheeks out, she put her hands on her hips. "I'm not a child!" She pouted adamantly.
A brief, awkward silence filled the air between them. Marth stared at the girl, dumbfounded, half out of shock at the girl's eccentricity and half out of sheer whiplash.
Seeing that her reaction did little to alleviate the situation, the girl smiled sheepishly. "O-oh! I guess I came off a little too heavy-handed," the orange-haired girl giggled heartily, tilting her head, as she nonchalantly closed the distance to Marth, her previous fear-induced stiffness all but gone. "Sorry about that. I was working on news ways to approaching and greeting new people. Guess I have to rethink this one."
What is she going on about...? Marth thought to herself as her eyes twitched slightly from beneath her mask at the girl's bizarre demeanor. The first living person she sees in this unknown place, and instead of any assurance, all Marth was got was suspicion and a growing headache.
She instinctively pushed the mask closer to her face, trying to maintain her distance from the strange girl, and composure, as much as she could unnoticed. She cleared her throat.
"I-I see... and you are...?"
"Oh, dear me!" The girl exclaimed as she dramatically shook her head side-to-side, drumming her knuckles on her temples, her puffy hair swatting the owl awake, much to its chagrin. "Where are my manners? I am getting way ahead of myself here."
The girl cleared her throat in a similarly dramatic fashion before she introduced herself. "My name is Genny, I'm a member of the Order of Heroes and the official guide for new arrivals such as yourself. I welcome you to Askr!" Upon finishing her introduction, Genny held the sides of her dress and did a little courteous bow while standing beneath the arched walkway. Beams of sunlight slipped through the slits that lined the archway, enveloping the young girl. To anyone else, the girl looked as if she had been pulled straight from a painting, the sun's rays reflecting off of her arms like the extended wings on an angel.
But Marth could not fully appreciate the scene with her war-weary eyes, not with all the unanswered questions that ran through her head. How could she possibly?
"Askr? Order of Heroes?" Marth blurted, speaking her clouded mind aloud. A burning headache flashed across her brain. "Wh-what does this all—? "
"Ah, ah," Genny tutted, catching onto Marth's bewilderment. She waved her hands before the utterly baffled Marth, trying to console her. "I know you're confused about… everything, but that's natural. I'll walk you through everything one step at a time. Okay?" she assured, her voice gentle and friendly. "Now, breathe in and out, slowly."
Despite her suspicions, Marth surprisingly found herself obliging the strange girl's orders and took a deep breath before exhaling slowly. She did this a couple more times, eyes closed, to ease her mind, to ease back the dull pain that pulsed around in her skull. She only focused on breathing in. Out. In. Out.
"Now," Genny beckoned, resting her hand on Marth's stiff shoulder, "Ready to get started?"
Marth exhaled sharply, bracing herself for the things yet to come, as she reopened her tightly shut eyes from behind her masked visage.
"Please."
No amount of bracing could have prepared her for what she saw when she stepped outside the garden's gigantic double doors.
This world was nothing like Ylisse. In the small amount of time she walked with Genny, Marth felt like this place was something she could only hear in children’s fairy tales and see in her dreams. Townspeople peacefully walked the streets as they went about their business, giving pleasant greetings to the two as they passed along the neatly paved road. Children horsed around the wooden pike fences that lined the street, as innocent and carefree as can be, without as much as giving even a cautionary glance at the masked Marth. Shops were open and packed with business, the occasional food stall wafting a rich, mouthwatering scent down their way.
After having fought and toiled for so long, Marth forgot what peace had looked like.
It was so much a welcome sight for her sore, battle-worn eyes, Marth briefly forgot of the pain that crept in and out at the back of her mind.
This town, everything about it, was what she envisioned for her future back home, where people would not have to live with their eyes constantly over their shoulder, living in constant fear of a knife or arrow to the back. A future where people no longer had to feel the ravages of war and could live in peace, just as the people were doing here. That was what she was fighting for...
Fighting for…
Was it?
An uncomfortable sensation of disconnect set on her nerves, like cold, thin needles entering down her spine, which only exacerbated the throbbing in her head. Although the sun shone on her, Marth felt none of its warmth. A growing chill had set root deep within her.
"Um, hello~ Earth to our mysterious hero~"
Genny's voice pulled her from the dull throbbing in her head, shaking Marth awake. She stopped in her tracks and blinked a couple times, trying to gather her bearings.
"Did you understand all of that?" Genny asked, peering over at the masked swordswoman, hands behind her back like a child would when trying to get an adult's attention.
"Understand... what?" Marth asked blankly.
Genny's shoulders immediately drooped, hanging her head with the same dramatic flair she had since the two had first met. The snowy owl hooted loudly, flapping its wings in the air to avoid Genny catapulting it to the stony ground before returning to its perch on her shoulder.
"I thought you wanted to find out about this place you've been called to." Genny announced sulkily. "If you don't want to—"
"This place... I've been called to?"
Genny sighed, shaking her head like a disapproving teacher. "That's exactly what I was trying to explain before you zoned me out."
Marth scolded herself under her breath for not being so callous. It would only make things harder her for her if she got on the bad side of the only companion she had in this strange, picturesque world. And the strange feeling that was began plaguing her was not helping.
"But I'm in a good mood today," Genny rebounded, grinning charmingly. "I'll let that misdeed slide this time."
Marth sighed with relief, thankful that Genny overlooked her rudeness. Small talk conversations were not her strong suit, and apologies with strangers no less. Casual conversation had no place in the world she had come from. Idleness meant death.
"Do you see that?" Genny asked her suddenly, as she turned her gaze away from Marth. "Over there." Following Genny's guiding finger, Marth could see in the distance the silhouette of a great many spires that rose above the clouds, guarded by equally impressive waves of walls that stood between her and the magnificent castle. It towered over all the other structures that dotted the city along the setting horizon and was shaped like a gathering of swords protruding from the ground itself, all pointing heavenward, as if they were saluting the worlds above. It was a breathtaking sight.
“That’s the capital city of Askr, Sverdspyre.” Genny proudly announced as she folded a small note and handed it to owl on her shoulder. It took the letter in its beak and flapped its wings with enthusiasm, setting flight towards the gigantic castle until it became a tiny speck in the early sunset sky. “It is home to the Askrian royal family that governs the land and to the Order of Heroes, the cause that you have been summoned for.”
Marth suddenly felt the hairs at the back of her neck stand on end. What did she just say? Summoned? As in summoned by magic? The word sent an uneasy chill down Marth’s spine for some strange reason, and with it returned the dull pain that had been hounding her head.
“S-summoned, you say?” Marth repeated questioningly back to Genny, to see if she had misheard the young girl’s words. A part of Marth prayed that she had misheard, hoping that the pain had made her mishear.
To her dismay, Genny nodded earnestly, unaware of Marth’s inner thoughts. “Sure did,” she followed up without missing a beat. “And it’s all thanks to Kiran, the Order’s summoner and tactician. He’s responsible for summoning new heroes to the Order, so he’s the guy that brought you here. We’re actually on our way to meet him now.” Her voiced was full of reverence and excitement.
But Marth couldn’t care less about a summoner or a necromancer. Her main concern was that she was pulled away—summoned—from her world. The place where she belonged. The place that needed her most. Her being here, what did that mean for her world back home? It was now without its leader and its princess. She needed to get back to…
… Where?
Where did she need to be again?
The same strange feeling of disconnect from before hit her again, this time like a battering ram. She was no longer standing next to Genny and overlooking a grand castle. The beautiful sun that was setting in the orange sky disappeared along with everything else.
All there was a vast white nothingness that went on endlessly. For a moment, Marth a sense of familiarity in the expanse she floated in.
Then her head erupted in an indescribable, burning pain.
The painful surges ripped and tore at her memories unrelentingly. Moments of her life, past and present, blindingly shot past her as still, glass-like images.
And for a moment, everything stood still. The pain halted. She saw everything about her, her companions, her family, her life, simultaneously. They were suspended before her eyes like a colossal glass mural, and she saw her life up to now minutely and wholly all at once.
Then they all shattered.
Like roaring thunder, everything, every memory, shrieked in agony as each still image shattered into thousands of shards, accompanied with the earsplitting screech of shattering glass that plunged its ice-like daggers into her head and ears. The sharp jagged fragments flew towards her like a ceaseless hail of arrows.
Marth tried bringing her hands to her ears to shield them from the ear-piercing onslaught but her arms would not budge. She tried to run but could not move. She tried to scream but could not even breathe.
“H-hey, are you going to be alright…?”
The white world disappeared, along with the hail of thousands of splintered glass. The torrent of deafening noise had ceased entirely. Instead, all Marth could see and hear now was Genny’s face and her worried voice. The little girl brought her hand to Marth’s cold cheek, the warmth of her palm doing its best to the thaw its chill as cold sweat dripped down Marth’s neck. But her mind was dwelled on only one thought.
What the hell was that just now…?!
Everything that she had just seen felt… real. As if she were taken to some otherworldly plane and brought back. The white world. The vision-like scenes of all her memories. She could still remember everything so clearly.
And just as clearly, the pain was still ringing loudly in her ears, her body still feeling the tremors of shattering glass. Although Marth’s feet were firmly planted on the ground below, the world began to unfurl before her eyes.
Everything began to swirl into a muddy cloud as colors bled into one another, forming a garish and ghastly whirlpool. The outlines of Genny, the sunset, the trees, and people all whirled into a flurry of indiscernible nothingness. The corners of her vision began to fade, as did her strength.
Marth knees gave out from below her. She collapsed onto the stone floor trembling. The pain had returned and was far more intense than before. Like a hammer striking hot nails into her head, the once dull pain was now pounding her skull as if a demon were at work.
Marth let out a choked cried as one hand clutched her head and the other clawed from her throat to her chest that burned with pain. The pain that echoed in her head now tore through the rest of her body. Gritting her teeth, Marth prayed the agony would pass but her pleas fell on deaf ears.
The darkness clouded over her eyes as well as her consciousness. But before it fully enveloped her, Marth saw an orange cloud amidst a sea of black standing before her, its voice trying to claw its way into her ears. She could not tell what the voice was saying.
She felt something rock her but Marth was already too far gone to respond.
Against the protestations of her heart, Marth succumbed to darkness, sinking into its murky waters.
For someone who bore so much, she weighed very little, Genny thought to herself quietly, carrying the unconscious warrior on her shoulder quiet capably as they trudged along the cleanly paved stone road. A few odd glances were tossed their way, some tinged with fear, but it was understandable.
Who wouldn’t be a little curious and suspicious at the spectacle?
Ignoring all the wary eyes that came their way, Genny carried onward to the Merchant Manor, the closest Order outpost by the summoning grounds.
As its name suggested, the manor was not really intended for full on military operations. It was mainly used as a trading and communications hub for merchants and scouts alike. Merchant wares would be out on display indoors while informants briskly walked about to turn in their reports.
But on occasion, the Merchant Manor could double as an emergency hospital.
Other heroes who had been summoned into Askr also went through shock and minor pain moments after coming to this world. It was to be expected. No one in their right mind would be able to digest the thought of being magically pulled away from their worlds to another and be okay about it. On rare occasions, some Heroes went into shock.
The Manor was the closest place to seek medical attention, and just as it doubled as a hospital, Genny doubled as its main doctor. Healing and care were her specialties after all, even more so than greeting new faces.
But in her time of taking care of the newcomers, Genny never had a patient who experienced a degree of madness this severe. While many Heroes were treated for their discomfort after arrival, no one suffered from a complete and utter breakdown.
Perhaps there was some trauma involved, something that rattled the poor swordswoman’s mind so much it caused her to collapse.
Genny was much too intimate with that sort of pain.
Once the two were a stone’s throw away from the manor, the posted guard there took notice of their arrival, briefly leaving his post to alert someone. Immediately, from within the manor, a messy haired rogue strode their way, gliding effortlessly like a leaf in the breeze. He began to reach to help Genny carry the unconscious woman.
“It’s okay, Matthew,” Genny assured with a forced smile. “I can handle this much.”
The rogue, Matthew, a fellow Order member and friend, nodded, a wry grin on his ruggedly handsome face, and backed away from the two as they began their ascent along the wooden steps of the large manor. He had been in Askr for as much as, if not longer than, Genny had.
Despite that, the two had only recently become friends. The cleric division and the spy corps rarely worked together but the two were able to hit it off when Matthew returned from a mission one day and was more banged up than he would have liked. Since then, he always came by her to “return the favor” as he phrased it. Genny found his demeanor obnoxious but endearing.
“You still holding that against me, eh?” He remarked at her insistence, his grin still plastered to his face. “You’re only proving what I said.”
Genny rolled her as eyes as she opened the door to the manor. She was met with the outpost’s roaring fire place that she had come to love and the din that sailed over from the small bar in the manor. “I’m not being stubborn. I’m just plenty capable enough.” She glanced at him playfully. “If anyone’s stubborn it’s you.”
Matthew laughed, shaking his head. “Touché.” He smirked sardonically as he followed the young cleric inside the busy outpost. “It’s almost become natural to see someone slung over your shoulder nowadays.”
“Aren’t you going to ask about who it is?” Genny asked, beckoningly.
Matthew shrugged his shoulders as he raised his arms slightly to his side. “What, so you can say 'doctor-patient privilege to my face again?”
He's learning, Genny thought to herself, amused.
“But I’ll just leave it at that,” Matthew continued, “do you need any help at all?”
Genny eyed the outpost. It was busier than she would have liked but it was less crowded than expected during this time of evening. And for that she was thankful. Glancing by the staircase that led upstairs, Genny saw no one moving back and forth like they normally would if the rooms upstairs were taken for the night. She turned back to Matthew who also began eyeing certain things that lined the manor. Genny would scold him later but she actually did have a task for him to do now.
“Can you go check upstairs and see if any rooms are open?” Genny requested, motioning to the staircase with her head, careful not to shake too much in case she disturbed the masked girl. “Preferably a big one.” Matthew nodded immediately. “I’ll see what I can find.” And just as quickly as he answered, he set off to do what she requested.
As aggravating he could be sometimes, Matthew was perhaps one of the most diligent Heroes in the Order she knew, and very reliable to boot. If he could be as mellow as he was being today, she would have actually found him quite charming. Genny shook her head and scoffed at the thought.
“Genny.”
An equally stern and gravely called out to her over the din of the manor. Genny gulped. She knew the owner of the voice quite well. He was her commanding officer after all. She slowly turned to face him.
“Hello, Captain Raven.” She said as respectfully as she could. But her words did little to unknit the furrowed brows that hung over the irritated man’s eyes. Those sharp eyes that always accompanied his scowls never ceased to intimidate Genny whenever she spoke with the man, and the Captain was always scowling.
Genny was already quite petite, so standing next to the imposing ex-mercenary made her seem and feel even smaller. While not as physically impressive as the more prominent officers in the Order, the Captain still exuded a daunting presence, one that demanded utmost attention and respect, and maybe a little fear. His previous, and turbulent, ties with the belligerent neighboring kingdom and fearsome skill on the battlefield did little to remedy that reputation. “I didn’t expect you to be here.”
“I could say the same.” He replied snappily, causing Genny to flinch. “Don’t you have somewhere else you need to be right now?”
Genny bit her lip. Captain Raven was right. She had an assignment coming up and was actually supposed to be attending the mission briefing with the rest of her squad before they departed later in the week. Instead, here she was, doing what she always did best: meddling.
“I was told that you were at the summoning grounds today.” The Captain said to her, folding his arms and refusing to take his eyes of Genny.
“I was there to fulfill the duty Kiran assigned me.” She answered, a quiet yet resolute strength in her voice and words.
“Does he know?”
“I sent him an owl.”
Captain Raven became quiet. He closed his eyes, mulling over the situation.
“I was going to ask what was so damn important for you to not attend to your duties,” he remarked. His gaze then moved from Genny to the unconscious swordswoman on her shoulder.
“Seems I don’t have to.”
A sigh of relief escaped Genny’s lips. As intimidating as Raven was, his eyes and words were never laced with malice. He was a capable and attentive officer, doing his duty in taking care of his subordinates. And as stern as he was, Genny knew that he did care greatly for their well-being as well.
A similarly relieved expression crossed the Captain’s normally icy face.
“So after all this time, Kiran finally managed to…—”
“Captain?” She asked.
He opened his eyes and looked at her, shaking his head. “Pay it no mind.” He pat her shoulder firmly, but still enough to make her nearly wobble on her feet. “But don’t you have something else to be doing right now?” His scowl relaxed, a rare sight for even the most privileged individuals. Genny could see the corners of his lips rose slightly, just for a moment.
A smile spread across her own face in response.
“I’ll overlook this incident,” the Captain announced, “but just this once. I don’t want you going AWOL without telling us what you’re doing first at least.”
“Yes sir.” She replied, nodding earnestly.
“Then what are you waiting for?” Raven asked, gesturing with his chin towards the stairway where Matthew was now standing at, waving at her. It seems he found an available room. “Go on and do your duty.”
Genny bowed gratefully. “Thank you, sir! I won’t forget this.”
He simply scoffed and turned away. “Hurry up before I change my mind.”
But Genny didn’t need any further persuasion. She hurriedly went over to the stairway where Matthew still waited for her. The rogue glanced over at the Captain before looking back at her.
“Did Cap chew you out over somethin’?” He asked curiously.
Genny shook her head, beaming. “Almost.”
Matthew didn’t ask any further. He didn’t need to. The smile on Genny’s face was enough proof of that. And it was quite infectious.
“Jakob let us use the room at the end of the second floor. It was the only large one open.” Matthew reported, matching Genny’s pace as she climbed up the stairs with the unconscious hero in tow. “Medical supplies should already be prepped and ready.”
“Thanks,” Genny answered. “For getting the room, and dealing with Jakob.”
Jakob was a steward serving the Order with a tongue as sharp as his attitude. His dedication to his work was truly admirable but his personality was a far cry to his work ethic. Although she was no pushover, Genny was no match for him.
“How did you convince him so easily?” She asked as she climbed up the last step.
Matthew chuckled dryly, scratching his cheek. “Perks of working in the spy trade. People have lots of secrets. It’s all about using the right dirt.”
“You have to teach me sometime.”
The rogue laughed aloud, amused at the girl’s response. “That’s cute. What are you planning on learning next? Infiltration? Assassination? Or—”
“Matthew.”
A voice suddenly called out to them. Turning around, Genny saw a certain blonde archer approach them from the opposite end of the hallway, his long pony tail trailing behind him. There was a sense of urgency in his step.
“Fancy seeing you here, Jeorge,” Matthew greeted, raising his hand. “That cushy promotion treating you well?”
Jeorge sighed, rubbing his eyes, a departure from his normally regal behavior. “I’d rather be on the field with the rest of you, to be honest. Courtly affairs can really drain a man.”
Matthew laughed heartily at his longtime friend. “Hear, hear.”
“Hello, Jeorge.” Genny greeted warmly.
“Genny.” He replied, with a nod.
“What brings you out here?” Matthew asked, steering the conversation back.
“I’m sorry for cutting this date of yours short,” the dashing archer apologized, glancing between the two. “But General Hector needs to speak with you. As in, right now.”
Matthew nodded without a shred of hesitation. “Tell him I’ll be there right away.”
Satisfied, Jeorge took his leave, briskly walking past them.
Matthew looked down at the small statured Genny. “Seems the young master has some business to discuss with me,” he said, trying to pass of the situation nonchalantly. But Genny knew that whenever Matthew had “business” with General Hector, it involved him getting hurt. Genny used to speak her mind against Matthew’s willingness to jump headlong into danger but he shot her down every time. He was fiercely loyal to his liege.
Matthew was among the handful of Heroes that came to Askr along with other Heroes from their same world, coming to this world with Hector and other noteworthy Heroes from the land of Elibe.
Kiran had told her that summoned Heroes often came alone, just like today. Instances like Matthew’s were rare and were not normally supposed to happen. And as if the world was trying to correct that mistake, those groups suffered losses as time went on, with those Heroes falling victim to the ravages of war or disappearing entirely.
As a cleric, Genny found herself saying goodbyes far more often to the people she grew to care for. Genny feared that Matthew would end up just like them, especially in his dangerous line of work.
She did her best to conceal what she felt, but Matthew saw right through her. He was much more perceptive than his aloof appearance suggested. He could make out the worry that was painted on her eyes. He gazed at her warmly and rested his hand atop her head, ruffling her hair.
“Don’t worry about me,” he assured her. “I’ll be alright.”
“Will you?”
He smiled at her, his eyes sincere. “I have the best doctor to take care of me afterwards, right?”
A stifled giggle escaped her lips, his words easing her worries ever so slightly, but that was all she needed. She shook her head. “You still have to come back in one piece for me to treat you, you idiot." She went silent. "Just... don’t hurt yourself to bad, okay?”
He grinned like he always did. “Yes ma’am.”
And with that, he vanished in the blink of an eye. Genny couldn’t even hear his footsteps anymore. She slowly reached for where Matthew had pat her head. She still felt his warmth from where his hand had been. Her own hand barely fit the imprint he left behind. Reluctantly pulling her hand away to her heart, Genny prayed quietly, a practice that she had fallen out of practice as of late.
She was trained in the holy arts before she came to Askr, which relegated her to clerical duties, but her training was far from complete when she… arrived. As such, and as blasphemous as it sounded, her faith was a wavering pillar. Even now, she did not know to which goddess she prayed to, if she really prayed at all.
All she cared was that her friend returned safely, and hoped that any goddess willing be able to hear her pleas.
Genny sighed and took a deep breath, doing her best to revitalize her morale. She trudged on to the room he had left her with, carrying the unconscious girl. It wasn’t far now.
She arrived at the door without much difficulty. But just as she was about to reach for the door knob, the slumbering girl stirred on her shoulder. Genny yelped at the sudden surge in strength the masked girl displayed as she moved about in her sleep, and nearly fell over. She knew what these erratic movements were: the girl was having a nightmare. Genny held onto the girl as tight as she could, praying that she would calm down and not injure herself.
The girl’s shaking slowly ceased. Genny sighed with relief and opened the door to the room.
“My… my name…”
Strained words crept from the masked girl’s lips. Her coarse voice struggled to speak. Genny could only guess what kind of nightmare the girl was going through.
“My… name…”
Genny pressed her cold, slender finger against the girl’s lips and hushed her, as the two quietly went inside.
Her heart ached for what the girl had gone through.
“You’re name is Marth.”
And what was yet to come.
What a formatting nightmare this was. But there it is. A rough rework of the chapter that started this journey for me. I would love to know your thoughts.
Thanks for reading.
Submitted June 02, 2019 at 10:46PM by samsationalization https://www.reddit.com/r/FireEmblemHeroes/comments/bw1e56/wip_make_me_a_hero_chapter_1_revisited/?utm_source=ifttt
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