~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Featured: Conquest (Ablaze)

Fire Emblem Awakening

© Nintendo

If this tune sounds familiar, it should. This is the ablaze version of Conquest featured in chapter 15, which plays while in combat animations and the original Conquest plays on the battlefield overview.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

~2 years later

Merric tightens his grip on my neck as we gather out in the practice field. He has been clinging to me a lot lately, ever since we held that meeting a while back with the King after he helped me search through my tomes. He is now watching his grandfather closely as he approaches me. It has been a while since Papa has spent time with Merric and Lance like this. Oscar, Boyd and Ralf are next to me on my other side, bickering back and forth as usual.

"You have grown so much, boy. Your strength is shining brightly, like your mother's,"

Merric gives a soft smile, "She used more than her strength to teach me. Mama is very strong," He repositions himself in my embrace, "I still feel like I have a way to go. She still has much to teach me,"

I softly chuckle to myself. Little do you know, boy, you are stronger than me now.

As if Papa is catching onto my thoughts, he chuckles as well and gives Merric his large grin while crossing his arms, "You believe that, boy? Knowing your mother, she has already taught you what she knows. She learns from you now,"

Merric shifts in my grasp once again, looking up into Papa's gaze, "Wha—What? But mama is super strong! How can that be so, Papa Greil?"

Papa chuckles again, "Where do you think your strength comes from then, boy?"

Merric looks down for a moment, with the look of deep thought engulfing his eyes. He swiftly looks back up to Papa's gaze with determination in his eyes, "How about you, Papa Greil? You taught mama too before, right?"

That boy. He cannot just stop there now can he? He seems to love improving and cannot help but to try harder when he knows someone can teach him more.

I hear Ike chuckle a bit from behind me and whispers something softly like he is only saying it to himself, "I know he will become stronger than all of us some day,"

Papa looks stunned for a moment before he puts on his proud look in his eye, "Ho, ho, ho! I like you, boy. You think you are ready for me?" Papa continues to look back at him for a moment, and Merric keeps his gaze steady and unyielding. A grin spreads back onto Papa's face, "I accept,"

I feel Merric's emotion erupt with excitement and determination when he nestles himself back into my embrace, tightening his grip on my neck. Papa smiles at me from over Merric's head.

"You were great back there, Star! Always two steps ahead of me!" Boyd exclaims during the small silence between himself and his brothers.

"She's always two steps ahead of you, idiot meathead!" Ralf quarrels back, "It takes skill to be! It obviously does not take much to have more of that than you!"

"Hey! What did you call me, squirt?" Boyd replies with his signature grunt, while ruffling Ralf's hair, "Didn't I say that power is clearly more important than skill?" he says as he raises his free hand's index finger into the air.

"Yes, and you are wrong! Skill does much more! Higher ability for critical hits and higher hit rates!"

"No, power! It is pointless if you hit them but cannot hurt them!"

I chuckle again and shake my head. I find this argument hilarious considering the types of weapons these brothers use including bows and axes, whereas one excels with high skill and the other has higher physical force. Bows are great when you pair them with high accuracy and hit the target where it hurts with a single motion, no hesitation. Axes have high flat damage rates and are very powerful when paired with high strength.

Oscar, Boyd, Ralf and Myst have improved greatly within these long recent years of on and off random battling with the forces of Daein. Oscar has been promoted to the Paladin class, from lance knight, with Titania as his lance skill has improved greatly, by at least triple-fold. This gives him the ability to wield axes as well, nailing him a rank E, with the ability to use a bronze axe. His lance technique is now incredible, you can see it in the way he wields them and in the way he expertly knows when and where to use it. He is showing he is close to earning a rank up with his lance mastery, which will promote him to rank B.

Boyd is coming along nicely as well, with a firm rank D in axes. Soon he will be a rank C. Boyd has also been promoted with his continuous practice with Oscar, placing him at a Berserker class, a seasoned Fighter class with expertise with axes. This gives him higher strength rates and much higher flat damage from his axes.

Myst and Ralf are similar, with strong rank Ds in bows and staves. Myst has yet to be promoted to a Sage, so her tome practice is not as useful yet. However, she is now skilled with the use of staves. She now knows how to use many different staves, including Physic and Recover staves, which give her the ability to heal from a great distance away from her target.

Oscar chimes in, "Speed, obviously! So I can outrun you and make you both look like fools!" He exclaims with his huge grin. When he gets a grunt sound from them both in response, he chuckles and punches them both playfully in their arms, looking satisfied, "Just kidding! Both skill and power have their uses! As a good mercenary knows, both should be considered in battle,"

Ike gives a small grunt in amusement as he steps beside me, holding Lance. Like he's one to talk! Ike has improved to the point that my feelings that struck me during our practice match those years ago are legit and real. When I first met him, he was much smaller and less built than he is now. The swings from his blade were with less accuracy and strength and the blade he used to use was a smaller one than Ragnell. Now he swings with more power and confidence, a larger two-handed blade as a matter of fact. Not only that, but he uses this blade with high accuracy with one arm only.

Just one!

The sounds Ragnell makes when Ike swings it are deep ones. These slow swings use the momentum to build through the swing and by mid-swing to the climax of the swing, there is so much force that Ragnell causes gusts of wind to be felt when you are nearby.

Mind my rambling.

These are just things I have been noticing. I have known Ike for so long now, these things are natural. But I am just now realizing how much he has changed without me actually registering them while they were happening.

Ike has been promoted to the Hero class a while back, and now he is showing the true strength of a fully experienced Hero. Hero classes have high expertise in swords with high skill and defense. But Ike in particular, is different, because he wields a large two-handed blade, which alters his skills greatly to a normal Hero class. Ragnell is used offensively and defensively, which requires different skills than a smaller blade with a shield.

He can almost also be considered a Swordmaster class, which is another seasoned Myrmidon or Mercenary class that are skilled in swords with high skill.

I am enticed from my thoughts by Papa's voice once again, "How about you, Lance? You have grown much as well, boy. Looking more and more like your father,"

I see Lance's face light up, "Really? You think so, Papa Greil? I want to be just like Pa! I'm going to learn everything he knows and someday I will! Pa is the best!"

Ike chuckles with delight. It puts a smile on my face hearing it. I do not get to hear this laugh often. This chuckle is slightly different as he gazes at his son, "You're getting there, boy. Ragnell will be the ultimate test for you,"

Lance's face lights up again, "I get to use Ragnell? I have been wanting to forever, Pa! I cannot possibly be just like you if I do not!"

Ike chuckles that amazing laugh again as he gives me his smile of delight. He has developed this peculiar smile when he's with Lance. It is like Lance gives him this smile and he is the only one who can cause it to show up on Ike's lips.

Not even I have made him smile like that. The smiles he gives me are even different than that one.

"Just like old times, eh Greil?" Titania asks while she softly chuckles, "I remember Ike saying something like that when he was a boy,"

Papa smiles and nods while watching Ike and his grandson, "Yeah, good memories,"

"He was a quiet one though. He kept trying, without a word," Titania smiles at him when Ike turns to look at her, "And look where he is now,"

I like to think Titania is just like Ike's mother. I never got to meet her, so I picture her like Titania but with blue hair similar to Myst's. I wonder how much Ike thinks of her. Titania acts motherly, so it would only seem natural. She sometimes speaks of the past like she did just now, so I know she knew her.

I am immediately thrown from my thoughts as sounds of an approaching group of knights are heard faintly in the direction of Castle Ylisse. Papa spins around and locks his gaze towards the castle with a stern look in his eye, "Greil Mercenaries, prepare for battle. The King requires our assistance. Our goal is to protect Castle Ylisse, now GO!"

Papa immediately begins charging down the path back towards Castle Ylisse with Titania right behind him on her armored horse. I feel a rush of dread fill me for some reason. I have never felt this before while rushing to Chrom's side.

Is this one different than the rest? Where is Donnie and Ronnie?

I spin around to look Ike in his eyes and he looks at me for a moment before turning to take Lance back into camp. He appears at my side again and Merric climbs down from my embrace, "I'm coming too, Mama,"

I glance from him to Ike, then back and nod sternly, suddenly I feel myself being filled with nervousness. Dread is still lurking around and I force it away, "I feel a sense of dread, Ike,"

He gives me a grunt of agreement, "Me too. It has to do with what Donnie told you before, doesn't it?"

I nod, "Come, let's go catch up to Papa,"

"Do not worry, I will protect you from him. Let's go,"

I just hope I do not need protecting from him. I can only hope I am doing the right thing and following my heart. If you really are my son, Donnie, then why are you acting like you are my enemy? Why must you make me second guess myself and make me feel bad about protecting my King, the one whom we share our trust? This is why I do not wish to believe your words.

I feel Merric tighten his grip on my hand as we run close behind the rest of our mercenaries. I quicken my pace and keep up with Ike as he catches his father to join him on the front lines. Myst and Ralf trot beside me, staying in the rear and out of immediate danger as Oscar and Boyd keep to the sides.

As we clear the small forest path to the Castle, my stomach drops and my mouth opens wide as I scan the battlefield set out below me on the plains surrounding Castle Ylisse. On the attacking side, I see the main Daein Army lead by the Sorcerer Commander himself, fiercely provoking the defending side. They have already started the confrontation and is already eagerly swinging their weapons down on the Royal Army of Ylisse under the command of Vladimir.

On the defending side, I see Chrom's Royal Guard has assembled into their complete Royal Army with the assistance of other mercenary bands and Lycia's forces. I know this because they are not of colors or faces I recognize.

Lycia is here. I scan their forces given away by their color of red mixing in with the blue of Ylisse. I see a young red-headed amongst them with a golden blade. Roy. Prince Roy is leading them. Chrom has called our allies this time. This really makes dread threaten and invade my emotions. But Roy is here!

I catch the gaze of Vladimir and he immediately gives me an eerie smile before his voice fills my mind. There you are, my dear. I am glad you have come.

My mind throbs through his words and I feel Merric tug me to rush down with the others already rushing into the fray down below. I realize I have been delaying and quickly follow Merric down to catch back up to my mercenaries.

I look up to see Vladimir turn away from me and his gaze falls onto the King in the middle of his Royal Guards. He raises his hands and he begins to summon some kind of dark spell.

No! The King!

Luckily it is deflected by Roy's men and it is sent up above them to harmlessly dissipate. I watch as Ike leaps into the air and slams down Ragnell in his wake, knocking several of Daein forces out of his way as he makes his way through. The look in his eye is pure hatred as he looks up towards the Evil Sorcerer. Knowing Ike, he will give him no mercy and Vladimir knows this.

I know he does not, but I wonder if Ike has ever held thoughts of resentment towards me for being a dark sorcerer like the one who is enemies with us now.

I quickly shake the thought from my mind. I know he has never, because not all Sorcerers are evil. I know deep down that Vladimir should not be as well.

Merric breaks from me a bit and sends some basic attack dark spells from between his hands and they shoot from there towards our enemies. They strike the Daein forces close by and forcefully knocks them away.

Further away, I see Myst heal Boyd with her stave and one of the enemy Cavaliers approaches her swiftly with their lance raised. She turns, falls back onto her side and slips out a squeal as an arrow shoots through the weak point of their armor with a sickening thunk. They fall off, away from her and the horse runs away, back towards the rear of the battlefield on the side of Daein. I turn to see Ralf has improved his skills of accuracy with his bow as he quickly aims it again towards another Cavalier approaching. Nice shot, kiddo.

Ike turns back towards Vladimir. I assume he is satisfied his sister is safe from harm, thanks to Ralf and continues his path through the men of Daein to Chrom's side, blocking with Ragnell and tossing Ragnell around with ease.

Oscar and Titania gallop through the sidelines, slicing away with their axe and lance, thrashing through the archers on the sides. Papa is forcing his way through the center with Ike, swinging his large silver battle axe slowly, knocking down any Daein soldier that gets in his way.

I leap in next to Boyd, and assist him with pushing back several Fighters. My dark magic encompasses my eyes and hands as I allow my emotion to flow freely through them.

As I get very close to King Chrom, I turn back and see Vladimir smiling widely towards me, then to him. He raises his hands once again and summons a spell I do not recognize between his hands up above his head. Deep purple snake-like energy beams swirl around it and meet in the center were an energy ball is forming.

Save him, my precious Star. I know that is what you will do. Do it or Ylisse will perish.

My head throbs harder this time with the rhythm of his words inside of my mind as I feel panic erupt from within me. Chrom! I must get to him and protect him, now! Vladimir is targeting him!

As I teleport myself towards him, I brush past Ike and he catches my gaze. He notices Vladimir's spell and rushes with me. He must understand what I am doing because he leaps before me and clears my path towards Chrom, stepping to the side slightly as I pass, using Ragnell to shield me.

Chrom looks over at us and gives a small smile before noticing the danger approaching him behind me. He raises his blade in a defensive stance as I approach while a wave of worry fills his eyes. I turn in time to see Vladimir's spell has been released and is barreling its way towards Chrom at an alarming pace.

"Father!" A worried voice fills my ears as I see Lucina rushing over here from her place in line. But she will not make it in time. I have to do this!

I spin around and prepare my defensive shield, allowing my emotion to envelope King Chrom and shield him from the upcoming attack with me between him and the Sorcerer's spell. This is when I lock gazes with Donnie as he angrily storms towards me with his dark magic surrounding him completely.

Donnie...

"I told you not to do it, Star! You are forcing me to stop you..."

With his words, I feel myself being pushed away, by Donnie's spell, from between Chrom and the dark spell thrashing towards him. I am tossed to the side easily and my magic spell does not respond when I call upon it to shield Chrom.

I feel anger fill me to the brim as I helplessly watch the spell collide with Chrom's blade, pushing him back slowly from the incredible force. I watch as the spell breaks through his pose and absorbs into him like it was being sucked in. It dissipates when it hits him.

As soon as I feel the spell lift from me, I rush over to Chrom's side. Luckily he does not look physically in pain. I spin around with anger sparking in my eye as I glance to Ike who looks angry as well then to Donnie who is now staring me down. When Ike turns to see who I am glaring at, his anger is immediately taken from me and onto him as I watch him glare through him. I have never seen Ike glare like this before as Donnie does the same, his dark magic slapping around him like it is being controlled by anger.

Drat! That boy... This is not the end, my dear... He is not supposed to be here...

My head throbs as I raise my hand to hold my temple, dropping my glare from Donnie's.

W—What does he mean by that? Did I fail? Chrom does not look in pain... what spell was that?

I hear Vladimir command his forces to finish their attack and fall back. Why? What is his purpose to send attacks like this and then retreat? Was he trying to hit me, or Chrom? Did I fail or not? Vladimir disappears within a blink of an eye, through the use of his dark spells.

Because I feel like I failed, but Vladimir acts like I did not. Donnie... Why did you disobey your orders? How do you expect me to trust you now? You lost your second chance... That was it. Sorry... Now I give you no mercy...

I turn my glare back up to his and his anger seems to have died down a bit as he looks back at me. Daein troops retreat around us as I cannot break my gaze away from his.

You helped my enemy... There is nothing left for me to do now, sorry.

I do not drop my magic as everyone rushes up to us with confused looks in their eyes, darting between mine and Donnie's. He looks as though he is a little worried as his defenses begin to fall. The steely look to his eyes drops as he looks back at me.

What is he doing? What is wrong with him? Do not think I am a fool, boy...

He takes a step closer to me after he softly lands on the ground in front of me with Chrom standing beside me and Ike on my other side. Ike has materialized there. Donnie looks up into my eyes and his green eyes soften a little bit.

A small smile tries to creep onto his lips as he whispers something softly, words I never expect him to say at this moment of betrayal from him, "Sorry, my Lord Chrom... I am so glad you are unharmed, Star, and that I did not fail this time..."

A semi-long part.

So, did Donnie save Star again or did he betray her like she believes?

Do not say I did not warn you. Donnie might be close to revealing his secrets...

Tell me what you think!