67 Path of Radiance Part 3

The others had secured the princess with Ike and company. During the few days, I trained with Kasumi. As well as spent time with Alita. Agria had snuck away from me the first night. We didnt have that talk. It was frustrating but I left it alone. A few of the others had arrived and we left the Sanctuary.

Standing in the Compound I stood in front of Gawain. We were going to fight. Which something I seriously needed. He wanted proof that I was capable of doing what I said. I just looked at the quest that was visible to me.

System: Quest: Defeat Gawain. Earn your name.

Reward: Recognize as the heir of Daein. Gawain's loyalty.

Failure: Loss of personel, loss of respect.

'Of course, that would happen.' I thought as I waited. I then felt Zelda tug at me. So I entered my Nether World for a bit. "What's going on?"

"The forest that bonded with you has given you some things," Galtea said appearing as well. "You received a title that is locked. A power that is locked as well. It is doing something to protect you though. 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."

"It will dispate in a while but it is odd," Zelda said looking at a tree that had appeared in my Nether World. "It has also given me some knowledge. Some kind of Galdr and a way for you to absorb Lehran's medallion. I have no idea what that is. It knew you were going to do it."

"A medal that has been absorbing the madness and some other thing's of this world," I said looking at the tree. "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," Galtea 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." I shook my head and returned. The two just talked over somethings as I did.

"A small drop of the world's power," Galtea said looking at it. "But why Azul? he doesn't match the ideals of the race of herons or the forest spirit anyway."

"I think it is biding it's time for something," Zelda said pulling her hand from the statue. "We will find out eventually." She started to sing to the statue. It echoed throughout my Nether World. It felt calming to me on the outside. Iput my entire focus ahead of me.

"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." I said placing Ostia on my shoulders. "Come Gawain, show me the reason why you were called the Divine Knight!"

"Cocky!" Gawain said as he swung his axe at me. I turned Ostia to match against him.

"Ching," the weapons hit making a beautiful sound. I had the upper hand in strength. My wolf was happy. This was someone it wanted to fight against. Gawain flicked his axe downward breaking free of the clash.

"Swish," it cut through the air right above the ground before coming up. I stepped to the right and back sideways as he moved. I watched as the axe passed right by my face. He turned it in the air and spun on the ball of his feet. "Hah!" Gawain yelled as the axe came across with blinding to a normal person.

"Heh, slow." I looked at him directly in the eyes. "Tut," I used my foot that I stepped back with and kicked off it. Coming up to his side with my left fist. "Bam," I punched him hard enough that I broke a few ribs.

"Kuk," Gawain coughed up some blood. He buckled a little and came down to a knee. That's what it look like anyway.

'A feint?' I thought. I was right as the axe came down next. 'So skilled and tough.' I grinned as I stepped away. "Tut, tut, tut, tut," falling back I watched the axe bury into the ground.

"Boom," dirt went flying everywhere. "Swish," I heard the axe swing. It cut into the dirt chunks, bathing the area in dust.

'That is some fast movement. Is from his special skill that let's him chain movements like that?' I fell into thought with my second mind as my primary kept track of the fighting. It took only two seconds before he came barreling through. Like a rampaging bull that would scare a regular man. I felt my scar throb. He reminded me of the chaos demon.

"Thump, thump," my hearts thumped and activate my adrenaline rush. His axe came down faster than my eyes could track. But not faster than my senses. I dropped Ostia. Reaching out, I grabbed his weapon.

System: Fortitude Check 31 Pass

Health -51

"Powerful. Very powerful and skilled." I said as I staredat him. He tried to move the axe from my grip. I was not gonna let him. "Misty Fist." The water wrapped around both my hands. Denser than I ever had it before. "You left yourself open."

"What?!" Gawain said slightly shocked as his eyes left the area where his axe met my hand.

"Crack," I broke the axe. "Wham!" I punched him in the gut lifting him off the ground. I held him up in the air for a bit. My wolf 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, I caught everyone's attention and smiled. "I could kill you 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 me 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." I shook my head slowly. "Better minds at work is the reason as well."

He dropped to the ground as I stepped back. His hand went down to grip the dirt. His other hand holding the axe still.

"You and I both know you have done a poor job on Ike. A fine warrior template but... lacking in other areas." I 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." I snarled as I towered over him.

"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." I outstretched my hands toward him. "Mental Cleasning."

"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." I 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..

Cerebus 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." I let out a small sigh of regret. I remembered Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. 'I am defintely just going to kill Macaih or whatever her blasted name is. She is not need for the Daein I am going to build. That and I dont like her. Valid reasons.' I looked to Gawain. "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. I looked at Agria and Mileena. Either of you want to be my Queen?"

"I.I...I. no!" Agria said flustered. Her biotic strands said otherwise.

Mileena looked puzzled for a moment. She thought about it, then shrugged. "No need. I am already bonded to you. That is a useless title, my Khan."

"Sigh.. gonna need a blasted queen. Ughh more things for down the line." Not much I could do with all my relastionship 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 Mileena.

As soon as he landed, she had her foot on top him. "Stay! Do not make me get serious child." Mileena 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 of me, I know what he was doing. I channeled some magic into my Growlanser ring. A pitch-black axe with a wolf head appeared on the pommel. Along the spine of the shaft was a dragon. Had no idea why that was there. Drawing my Eldar sword, I pointed it at him. I was able to have Slannesh slumber to help regain his/her strength. While this was going on, the sword lost its psyker abilities but was still a very powerful weapon. "Look up Gawain."

He obeyed and stared at me 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 the sword.

"You cant make father decide this!" Mist said speaking with tears welling in her eyes. "Please stop."

"Mist.. step back," Gawain said with fatherly steel 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.

I felt happy about his decision, so I spoke with as much regality I 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, I activated the Heaven Seal and channeled it through the weapon. Even though it didn't exist in this Fire Emblem, I hoped it would work as me and Galtea believed it would.

Gawain was adorned in light. Standing up his cape and armor was 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: Divine Knight Lv1

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." I really wanted them to get togethor. The possevive part of me wanted her but.. this was way better. "I will leave you to it. After this, we will deal with the princess of Crimea."

Getting up slowly Gawain looked at me. I 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." I couldn't help but smile. This man was still of the righteous sort. Something that could keep me from going off the deep end while I was here. "We are escorting her to Gallia still. Unless you decided against it now?"

Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click www.novelhall.comfor visiting.

"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. I looked at Ike. I beckoned him over. Titania watched from the side till he called her to join them.

"What is it.. your majesty?" His voice was awkward as hell.

"Ugh, just call me Sunstrider or Commander. That is anorder." He was shocked at my 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 me. "We can spare right now, right? Your not to winded from fighting Gawain are you?" She was taunting me for some reason.

"Right... I am not. So let's do it." I felt a desire to beat her. "So we calling this round two?"

"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," I said as I put Slannesh away. I fought only using Ostia the axe. The world gave her an advantage since she was wielding a sword. But I didn't care. My psycho power wanted it this way. As well as my self.

-A day or so later-

We had heard about a town of Daein that was going through some weird troubles. Moving along the border we went to check it out. The others would keep prepping for the move. Gawain and a few others traveled with me and the soldiers I had.

System: Unique Quest: Clean the water supply. Upscale task.

Rewards: Increase loyalty of Daein citizenry. Increase in Gawain and his views of you.

Failure: Doubt and declared usurper by the populace. It becomes harder to move forward.

'This quest is making it very hard. I am a fighter. But then again these people have been trying there hardest. Unlike those useless Crimeans.' I looked to the sky and ran my hands through my hair frustrated. I was forced to stop helping after I gave all the people a wash and healed them a little from a few poisons. I was tempted to switch to somewhere else but Galtea stopped me. "Uggh ready to go already. Come on already." I was getting restless now.

-Another hour passed-

"We are moving as fast as we can! Relax already!" Agria yelled. She was directing the residents to move furthur out the way. "You have to remain here to keep from going out and killing people. It's a smart idea."

"Lord, Azul," Gawain said coming up to me. "The back residents have been moved out of the way. All that is left is the main people right here." He gave his report and stood to my side.

"Thanks for the update." I gave him a glance and noticed his collar was messed up a little. Looking back I saw Titania with the princess to the side. "Gawain your collar got scuffed while you were helping." I empathized the last word as I focused my attention back forward.

"Ehem right. Thank you." A little shuffling behind me. He fixed his collar I assumed anyway. My thoughts went back to Agria.

"We are finished, my Lord," Agria said coming up. I stepped forward and looked at her. "What? Is there something on my face?" She looked at her clothes and her hands.

"No. You just look really amazing out there giving orders. You definitely care about each of them. As if they were yourown." I couldn't help it. My hand reached out and cupped her face. "Why do I feel like we have done this before?" She flinched a little. I used my other hand to pull her toward me. " I do not want to let go. So do not ask me." My Soul Power was growing stronger as my wolf started growling happily.

"I .. cant say. Not yet." Agria looked at me then around us at the civilians and the troops nearby. I didn't need my power to tell me she was embarrassed. "I want you to let go."

I did the moment she said it. My wolf was unhappy. So was my psycho power. A sense of lost washed over me. I didn't like it.

"My Lord," Gawain said. "I think we should proceed with the task at hand."

"You are right." I stretched my hands out and pulled at the magic in the air. Slowly at first then I activated the seals. The contaminated water floated in the air up above. Bit by bit I shook everything that was not water loose. Weapon's armors and bodies dropped down.

The wyvern riders hauled the nets onto the shore and to the side. This continued for an hour until all that was left was the poison. A few civilians who knew how to handle the poison helped out clean and separate the weapons.

The priest moved forward under Agria's command. Bathing the area in light, the ground loss the traces of dark magic. A yellow substance remains all across the lake bed.

Lighting and the mages stepped forward next. One by one they cast fire magic scorching the ground.

"There is some left," Kasumi said looking at the ground. "Increase the firepower.

"Arggg," the mages grunted. Lighting started sweating heavily. Next thing I know fire bursted around her. The weirdest pink-red flame I have ever seen in my life.

"Hah," she yelled out as she shot a big ball of fire into the center.

"Shields up," Agria said. One by one, a light shield went up blocking everyone. Only a few seconds, then the fire was all gone.

"Heh," Lighting exhaled moving backward. "I did not mean to do that."

"Obviously," Agria said coming up to her. "Next time a little less umph." She was smiling.

"Well.. it will take more water to fill it now," I said keeping a chuckle at bay. I lowered the water back down. Using the remaining power from the seals I created more water to fill the hole. "Actually I wonder if this work. Kindness Drops!" I dropped a good bit of my mana into the runic spell. In less than three minutes the lake was filled.

"Wahh there is magic in the water." A young mage said.

"I will test it." walking forward I took a drink and felt a little soreness leave my body. "Slight healing properties. How nice."

Observe: Runic lake. Properties of Healing and Purification.

The kids ran to the water first and started drinking then the adults. One by one they sipped till they were full.

"I am glad you did this," Agria said from my side. "Seeing your people happy is always good."

"Aye," I just gave her that. Reaching my senses out I felt Daein troops pass the outskirts of the area. "Agria defend the citizens. Gawain take some troops to do a patrol. Kasumi I want you to scout the area to make sure I didn't miss anything." I stepped forward and was stop by one of the mages.

"Overlord we need to get some fighting in. The troops are restless." He said looking at me determined.

"Fine. With me.." I paused to remember his name. I didn't want to cheat with observe. "Lohan, get those who need it most to come with me."

"Wait! What about me?" Lighting asked.

"Stay and rest. Get ahold of your power. In case something happens they will need help here.

"But I am your personal guard, if you die.."

"Whoa there, it will be fine. Just relax. I will try to get them to surrender. If not .. well yah know."

"He is right Claire," Agria said stepping forward. "You need to get hold of your power first and foremost." Lighting nodded and sat down in the grass. I had no idea how they all formed these different structures of influence. But at least they weren't fighting. That was my job to fight with them.

'Woah where did that thought come from?' I needed to take a break soon. But not now as I rolled my shoulders a little.

"Right,' Lohan then turn to the others. "Skull squad 3 and 6 let's move." He said as he was already behind me again.

"Efficient." I looked at them all and smiled. Releasing my magic as an Overlord they all turned into Laguz wolves. Transforming myself, we took off. Only a few tumbled before they got in a rhythm.

System: Unique Quest: Clean the water supply. Complete .. Upscale task... Protect the citizens from the enemy. Convince the soldiers to surrender.

Rewards: Increase loyalty of Daein citizenry. Increase in Gawain and his views of you.

Failure: Doubt and declared usurper by the populace. It becomes harder to move forward.