Fire Emblem Fan Fiction / Fire Emblem Fan Fiction ❯ My Duty Is To Protect You ❯ My Duty Is To Protect You ( Chapter 1 )

MY DUTY IS TO PROTECT YOU A FIRE EMBLEM FIC     NJB : This is my first run for a Fire Emblem fic. It involves Kent and Fiora (they're just so cute together !). Anyway, this is also a long one shot so please bear with it (also involving an OC, though it's like a random villain.). Heere we go !     Also, since Fiora is the only Pegasus Knight with a nameless Pegasus, let's just say its name was made up.     Disclaimers : Except the OC (whom you’ll know later), everyone else belongs to Nintendo and Intelligent System !     xxxx     Two months has passed since that day, whereas Eliwood, Hector and Lyndis worked together with the Archsage Athos to defeat Nergal and stopped the Fire Dragons to ruin Elibe and the world. Right now, the group that fought alongside them are moving on to their lives, back to their homes.     xxxx Castle Caelin... xxxx     Kent, a Paladin under Lyndis' (or Lyn in short) command, was performing his duties as usual, training recruit soldiers of Caelin. This red haired young man was known for his strong sense of duty. And with his prowess and the fact that he mostly wore red armor granted him the nickname 'The Crimson Shield'. However, ever since he participated in the battle against Nergal, he seemed to find a newfound feelings other than duty.     "Sir ? What's wrong ?" a new recruit's voice awakened Kent from his silence in the afternoon. He immediately let out some small coughs.     "I'm sorry." Kent replied slowly, "I was thinking about... another matter. It's about Lord Hausen's planned birthday celebration..." Kent bit his lips, half lying. True, he was thinking about the birthday celebration that was planned tomorrow. However, he was thinking about someone else. In fact, for the birthday of her grandfather, Lyn sent out invitations to all of her friends during the quest to defeat Nergal, which of course included Eliwood, the Marquess of Pherae, as well as Hector, the Marquess of Ostia. However, Kent was thinking of someone else... But he tried not to think about it, as he knew that his duty as a Knight takes priority.     Just then, a shadow loomed on Castle Caelin's training grounds. It wasn't an ominous shadow of evil, thankfully. It was a shadow of... "A Pegasus...?" Kent remarked as he approached the shadow.     As he approached the shadow, with his hand on his sheathed sword, preparing to strike if it turned out to be an enemy trying to put his men in harm, the shadow slowly enlarged, as the Pegasus slowly landed, gushing out several winds from its slowly flapping wings. Kent looked above and saw a familiar face riding the Pegasus. It was a young woman, probably a little younger than him. She has a long aquamarine hair and a white string tied on her forehead, and by the look of her clothes, it would seem that she hailed from Ilia, the country where Pegasuses live.     "Fiora...?" Kent let out the name of the woman, removing his hand from his sword as he knew it wasn't a hostile one. Instead he approached her and offered his hand, trying to help her dismount her Pegasus.     "Kent..." Fiora let out as she slowly reached out his hand and dismounted her Pegasus, and continued with a grateful smile on her face and a grateful voice as well, "Thank you."     "I take that you are going to attend on Lord Hausen's..." Kent continued, before he stopped. Fiora then continued     "Yes, but...." She stopped again, but Kent didn't interrupt this time, and thus she continued, "The truth is... on the journey here, Ven got a little sick. I'm afraid that I have to borrow a space in the Caelin stables several for him to recover..."     "Of course you may. I'm sure Lord Hausen and Lady Lyndis will allow it, but... Ven ?" Kent replied and asked, "Is that... the name of your Pegasus ?"     "Oh... You're right, Kent... I guess I wasn't as open as Florina or Farina..." Fiora said, with a slight blush on her face, which she quickly dismissed with several coughs. Kent would like to continue more, but as he looked behind, he saw the soldiers training under him staring at them. However, when he talked with Fiora, he felt calmed, and he was quite tired on training.     "... I think we can talk more inside. You may stay until your Pegasus recovered..." Kent offered. Fiora let out a small nod, agreeing with him. As they walked inside, Kent stopped beforehand, and she stopped as well. Kent then looked at his soldiers and said, "... Sorry about the interruption before. It's afternoon now. I guess this concludes today's training session. You are dismissed from the training." With that, the soldiers saluted, followed by Kent. After the salutation, the soldiers went their own ways, as Kent entered the castle with Fiora.       xxxx The next day… in the night, in the royal dining room... xxxx     Lord Hausen’s birthday party was set for the night. And as Lyn planned, every of their friends attended it, except Nils who went to the Dragon Gate alone. Among the guests are Eliwood, Hector, Ninian, Florina, Heath, Priscilla, Erk, Sain and many more. Even Nino came as well, and this also triggers Jaffar’s arrival. And of course Kent and Fiora were among the guests, and coincidentally, they were also sitting next to each other, on the chairs set near the long U-formed table for the guests.     Before the dining time began, Lyn stood up and raised a glass of water, as she set it up, realizing that some of the guests were still underaged (especially Nino), and she sternly said, “A toast… for Elibe… for Caelin… and especially for my grandfather ! Cheers, everyone !”     “CHEERS !!” All the audience, except Jaffar, who kept silent even though he still drank the water, exclaimed in reply. And afterwards, the dining time arrived. Some people are eating like crazy, like Wil, Dart and Sain, which of course embarrassed Kent. But most of them ate in a proper etiquette. Even Hector was eating like a true noble, despite his usual attitude, and shortly after, he was helping Florina to drink when she choked a food to her throat.     Kent and Fiora were eating slowly, and eventually they felt thirsty. Kent looked at the bottle of water, and slowly reached it out. Unknown to him, Fiora was acting the same and she reached the bottle first. Kent knew he should back down, as it’s a duty for a knight as well to prioritize ladies, but a certain force was forcing him to move on. He couldn’t resist it, and thus his hands approached the bottle slowly, and before Fiora could pull it away, Kent’s hand were in contact with Fiora’s.     Fiora let out a small gasp as her eyes looked to Kent. And he did the same. Both were speechless, not knowing anything to say. Slowly, their faces formed a light red blush. It was then until Sain, who’s sitting next to Kent, spotted the tension. Spontaneously, he let out, “Way to go, Kent ! See ? My advices work ! And now you’ve got a fair lovely lady on your side !”     Several other guests, especially Nino, Rebecca and Wil, immediately bolted their eyes to Kent and Fiora, with curiosity. Eventually, both drew back their hands, even though their blushes stay in tact. However, she was feeling a little embarrassed with the previous commotion, but she also felt certain heat within her body. Eventually, Fiora stood up and moved to Lyn. She politely bowed and said, “Forgive me, Lady Lyndis… I need to get some fresh air…” Lyn nodded in response and she quickly left. In return, Kent gave Sain an annoyed look.     ‘What an embarrassing mess…’ Kent thought. However as he sat more, he felt a certain emptiness… Fiora wasn’t with him and even though the attractions presented by the party were enough to make the audience smile or laugh, Kent didn’t feel the same, as Fiora wasn’t with him to share the happiness. Kent stood up and approached Lyn and bowed as well, “Milady… if you’ll excuse me.” And just like what she did to Fiora, Lyn nodded and Kent took his leave.   xxxx Meanwhile, on the balcony… xxxx     Fiora was standing there, looking at the night sky. It was calming, but she wasn’t quite enjoying it. Instead, her mind was occupied with someone else… As she put her hand on her chest, she could feel her heartbeat, throbbing quite hard. ‘Could… could it be…?’ She thought, ‘Am I… actually falling for him…?’     “There you are, Fiora.” A man’s voice from behind caught her attention as she turned back. It’s none other than Kent. “What are you doing here ?”     “Oh, Kent…” Fiora sighed weakly, “I… I’m sorry about before…”     “No. I should be the one to apologize.” Kent assured her, still resisting a mysterious pressure to do something. “That act was…”     “It’s all right. If I was in your position…” Fiora said, “I would do the same… I don’t know why.”     Fiora was still blushing, and now Kent was also blushing. Moved by emotions, Fiora lay her head on his armor, and Kent embraced her with a hug that she returned afterwards. They looked at the starry sky, and as they did, they started to forget about time… and their duties. But… even though they won’t admit it, they were enjoying it.     “Kent…” Fiora started, “I wish things would be different on us…”     “What do you mean ?” Kent asked back.     “I know you have your duties as a Knight of Caelin and your sense of duty… is one of your strong points, but…” Fiora continued in a bit of sad tone, “That would mean…”     “Yes… my duty is with Caelin.” Kent answered, “But… I know that you are also bound to your duties with Ilia. But that is why I am fond with you. Yes… I do feel the same like you. If we could meet in a different circumstances…” Just after he said that, Kent felt a bad premonition. “Fiora…?” Kent called her name, but she didn’t answer. He looked at her, and she looked as if she was sleeping… ‘I have to admit that she looks adorable when she’s sleeping…’     However, suddenly, her arm felt hot. This is no normal heat. Kent proceeded to hold her forehead and realized that her body temperature has risen from the normal temperature. Fiora has fallen ill and unconscious. Kent remained silent as he carried Fiora’s body back to the castle, to a place where he can tend to her illness. It was just minor one, but he didn’t care. In his heart, he felt a strong urge to protect her…     xxxx     Fiora felt a warm feeling on her back as she slowly opened her eyes. She was lying on a bed, only without her breastplate. As she looked around, she was inside a room, and entering the room was a certain red haired man with medicines… Kent.     “Oh, you’re awake.” Kent said as he drew closer, “This is good” Slowly he put the medicines on the table.     “Kent, what happened ? Why am I here…? Fiora asked, but she couldn’t move very well, as her sickness prevented her to.     “You fell unconscious that time.” Kent explained, “I think it must be hard on tending your Pegasus when you are getting here. But don’t worry… with the medicine, you will get better this morning.”   “I guess so…” Fiora sighed, “So I have to miss out the party. But I don’t mind it at all… You may go back there…”     “No.” Kent said sternly, “I’m staying here.”     “Eh ? But… why ?” Fiora asked in a bit of disbelief.     “… I suddenly lost interest. If you don’t mind, Fiora…” Kent continued, “I’d like to stay here. There’s another bed nearby, so you don’t need to worry on that… ‘Policy’.”     “I know that you got worried about me, but shouldn’t you be with your liege ?” Fiora asked again.     “Yes, but…” Kent let out some more, “I was the first to see you fell sick. So my duty for now would be to protect and take care of you until you are well.”     Hearing the word ‘protect’, Fiora blushed a little, but she quickly dismissed it and she smiled instead. “Thank you, Kent.” She said, and Kent returned the smile.     As Fiora slept, Kent continued to stay awake, to guard her. However, his mind was thinking of something else, “Duty… to protect…” Kent mumbled, and he looked at Fiora who’s sleeping peacefully. ‘Fiora…’ Kent thought as he looked at the sleeping aquamarine haired beauty…     xxxx In the morning… xxxx     “Kent ! Hey, Kent !” Sain exclaimed as he ran to Kent who’s preparing to patrol, now picking up his sword in the barracks, “Did you hear about it ?”     “About what ?” Kent replied back, “If it’s about how everyone is preparing to leave today and you fail to flirt on the girls, forget it.” But as he said the word ‘leave’, he started thinking again, ‘That would mean Fiora will also leave… Wait, what am I thinking ?’     “I’m serious, Kent !” Sain said, now showing his unusual serious self, “There’s a bandit who broke free from the prison last night !”     “… Bandits, huh…” Kent said with low interest. So far as long as he’s around, there’s no criminal that can do whatever they like in Caelin. “There’s nothing to worry about… With both of us, he won’t stand a chance.”     “Well… yeah, I guess you’re right !” Sain exclaimed happily, assured with Kent.     “Okay, now I’m off to the morning patrol.” Kent said as he picked up two steel swords and put it on his sheaths. As he left, he turned back to Sain and said, “You better don’t slack off, okay ?”     “I will not ! Don’t worry about it !” Sain exclaimed too and he picked up a Steel Lance. But as Kent was nowhere to be seen, a gorgeous looking young girl passed by the barracks and Sain immediately eyed her.     xxxx Caelin stables xxxx     After the night, Fiora has fully recovered. She headed to the stables and went over to her Pegasus. “Are you well now, Ven ?” She greeted as she stroke the Pegasus’ hairs and patted its head. The Pegasus neighed, as if it’s telling her that it’s feeling okay. Fiora smiled in return. However, her smiling face quickly turned into a sad face.     ‘If Ven is well, I should be going now. But if I do that… Kent…’ Fiora thought, her heart aching, enough to make the Pegasus let out a worried whimper. ‘What should I do…?’     xxxx Outside the Caelin gates xxxx     Kent has been patrolling the whole outskirts of Caelin on his trusted steed. However, his mind sensed a forthcoming emptiness… ‘Fiora… if you leave today… then I…’ His mind was interrupted when suddenly he saw a hand axe thrown to him. He managed to dodge it just in time and as he looked around, with his sword ready, he saw someone…     He is a well built big man covered with armor and breastplate. Some of his muscles could be seen, and his face has quite a short thick beard as well as curly hairs. By the look of it, he could be some sort of warrior. He let out a raspy voice, “It has been awhile, Kent the Crimson Shield…”     “Who are you ?” Kent asked.     “I am the bandit fighter you captured several times ago. My name is Banga !” The warrior exclaimed. “You will pay for putting me into the prison !”     “So you are that escapee Sain was talking about.” Kent said, preparing his sword, “However, you will not do as you please again. I’m taking you back to the prison where you belong.”     “Say what you want, but I’m now stronger than before !” Banga said, “Prepare to die, Kent !!”     Banga brandished a bow and shot several arrows to Kent. The paladin rode through, busting through the stream of arrows and eventually as he reached the warrior, he brandished his steel sword and landed two blows on the warrior. Banga didn’t falter and yelled, “Is that all you got !?” He roared as he lunged to attack Kent, but Kent dodged them perfectly and landed another blow to Banga.     “How predictable.” Kent said, but it didn’t quite affect Banga. The warrior lunged once more with another axe. Kent was shocked when he saw what kind of axe he was wielding… it’s the Swordreaver Axe !     ‘How could I be so reckless that I didn’t bring a spear…!?’ Kent cursed as he tried to dodge the attack. However, Banga’s attack was accurate enough to wound Kent’s shoulder, and made him lose the grip of his steel sword as he let out a wounded hiss.     “Ha ! Now look at yourself ! Feeling a little mighty here, eh ?” Banga taunted Kent as the paladin breathed heavily. Apparently the axe hit him quite hard. “Now you die !!” Banga shouted as he rushed to Kent, trying to attack again, “This time I’ll have your head !!”     ‘No way… it can’t end like this…!’ Kent cursed under his breath. The Crimson Shield, known for his keen sense of duty, defeated and killed due to a small recklessness !? But he knew one thing… he cannot give up this easily. With just one hand active, Kent readied his other steel sword, hoping that he could block the incoming attack…     “URGH…!”     Banga found himself stopped running, and a pain was piercing his shoulders from behind. He looked behind and he found two javelins struck behind his shoulders ! And from behind, he saw a Pegasus flying to him, with its rider on its back…     “Fiora…?”     “ Kent ! Are you okay ?” Fiora asked as she rode her Pegasus to approach Kent. Her face shown an extreme worry.     “I’m fine. Just got a little wounded on the arm.” Kent tried to be strong as he said that, “It’s my recklessness… I didn’t bring a spear and he was carrying a Swordreaver Axe.”     “Who is he…?”     “Banga. A former bandit that I caught before the whole quest against Nergal… He has grown into quite a warrior… but he has a grudge on me now.”     “Then let me help you.” Fiora said as she turned to Banga, readying her Steel Lance. “I will not let you hurt Kent anymore !”     “Grr…” Banga growled in disappointment, knowing that with the Swordreaver Axe, he stood no chance of the spear, and if he used his normal axe, Kent would no doubt come to her rescue. He then put down his axe and said, “You got lucky this time, Kent ! But next time, things will be different ! Remember that !” With that, Banga turned back and ran off.     “You are not getting anywhere…!” Kent exclaimed as he prepared to pursue Banga, but his wound in the shoulder stung him again. “Urgh !” He hissed, holding his other shoulder.     “Kent ! No !” Fiora blocked his way and pleaded, “Please, you must rest now. You can’t continue on like this !”     “But I cannot let him escape…!” Kent protested, “I have a duty to put him back to the prison where he belongs.”     “Kent, did you forget what you said to me before ?” Fiora said, “You taught me that there is a difference between duty and recklessness. In Dread Isle, I was sure to fulfill my duty to avenge my fallen friends. But if you didn’t remind me before, I would’ve…”     “I know the rest. You’d become a prey of Uhai’s nomad archers, right ?” Kent finished, his face showing a not-so-duty bound expression. He then let out a little smile and said, “You’re right, Fiora. A recklessness of not bringing a spear should be enough for me. I have to ask Sain to take over for me.” With that, Kent started to head back to Caelin.     “Kent…” Fiora said slowly as she followed Kent back to Castle Caelin.     “Fiora…” Kent also mumbled. His mind raced back to the fact that everyone would leave to their respective homes today. He braved himself to ask, “So… you are leaving today ?”     “Yes. I can’t let everyone in Ilia worry about me.” Fiora answered rather sadly.     “I…” Both of them let out in the same time, and by that time, their faces were turning red and their hearts were beating fast. And eventually they finished their sentences in the same time     “… hope you have a safe journey.” That was Kent’s sentence. And in the same time, Fiora also said her words.     “… hope that you will always be well.”   And as they continued to go, they felt a certain heartache that struck them. ‘I was foolish…’ Kent thought as he tried to soothe the pain within his heart, ‘Even someone as goofy as Sain has the guts to declare love, even though he was just goofing around. Why can’t I…? I am not the type to joke around, and am known to be brave. But in front of this ‘thing’ why am I such a coward about it…? And just when she’s about to leave… Fiora…’     And in the same time, Fiora was also thinking, ‘I admire Kent’s duty-bound attitude, as that is what makes him Kent. I also have my duties and I know I must uphold it. But… what am I feeling ? Sometimes, especially, I just wish I could release myself from the chains of duty and start to love. I know I can’t go away from my duties, but I wish I just can…! It makes my heart pains… and I can’t say the thing I want to say, especially when I’m about to leave him… Kent…’     And in the same exact time, these three words went through the two serious knights’ mind.     ‘… I love you…’     xxxx In the afternoon xxxx     Fiora was sleeping in her afternoon nap in a room on the first floor of the castle. It was planned by her that she would leave Caelin for Ilia, her homeland, at that time, after she woke up of course. Unknown to her, however, a black hawk was watching over her from the outside, looking at her through the window. It flew away as the door opened and a figure in green entered.     “Good day, Dame Fiora !” Sain’s voice woke Fiora from her nap.   “Good day to you too, Sain…” Fiora replied as she got up from her bed.     “It’s such a beautiful day, isn’t it ?” Sain continued, as his tone started to get to his usual goofy flirtuous self, “So beautiful that it matched your beauty… But your beauty puts the beauty of the day to shame !”     Fiora just sighed hearing that. Of course, that trait is what makes Sain. However, soon after, Sain quickly changed his tone to his serious self, “So… you’re leaving now ?”     “Y… yes…”     “Poor Kent. He’s going to miss you…” Sain said, as his tone was half goofing around, half serious. He knew that Kent is having quite a feeling to the Pegasus Knight, but he just had to say it. He also knew that his buddy would be sad, even though he might not show it at all, if she left. Fiora sighed sadly as she knew that she would be leaving Kent. However, her thought was interrupted with a noise outside.     “Who are you… urgh !”     “What was that…?” Fiora asked in suspicion.     Sain then turned back to his goofy self and said, “Fear not, fair lady ! I shall take a look on the outside in your place !” Sain then headed to the door and opened it. But as soon as he opened it, he saw a fist thrown to his face,. “Oof !!” he let out as he fell to the ground. The impact was quite hard that he fell unconscious.     “Sain !!” Fiora shrieked as she tried to head to him, in order to check on him if he’s okay or not. But she stopped as she looked at the figure that entered through the door. “You…!”     It was none other than Banga. And he has knocked unconscious all the guards that got in the way against him. “Gwahaha ! We meet again, Pegasus Knight…” He beckoned Fiora, who seemed a little panicked as she left her lance in the barracks and around her there’s nothing that could be used as a lance or javelin replacement.     “No…” She whimpered.     “I need a bait to lure that fool Kent.” Banga continued, “And you would make a fine damsel in distress for that !” And before Fiora could scream, Banga already rushed to her and clamped her mouth, preventing her to scream.     “HMMMPPHH !!” Fiora tried to scream for help, but Banga clamped her mouth tightly that only muffled screams came out. Eventually, she felt like a blow landed on her stomach and her world was starting to fade out as she fell limp to the ground. Before she completely lost consciousness, a name flew through her mind…     ‘Kent…’     xxxx Cael in stables xxxx     “So, that is your decision ?” Kent said to the green haired Wyvern Lord, Heath, who has deserted his country of Bern.     “Yes. Forgive me.” Heath replied, patting the head of his wyvern, Hyperion, “I appreciate and admire the opportunity from the Marquess… but I can only live by the way of Wyvern Knights. And if I join, I will be the lone Wyvern Knight in Caelin with no soldiers under my squad.”     “You mean… I get it.” Kent confirmed, “It takes time to breed wyverns and wyverns aren’t abundant in Caelin compared to Bern. I understand.”     “Still… it was very good to know you and your Marquess.” Heath said, “It is an honor.”     “Wait… So, what will you do now ?” Kent asked again. Heath sighed in response.     “I might just become a mercenary… in Ilia. They could use another flying knights’ service there.” He said as both of them moved outside along with the wyvern, “But I am different than the others. I won’t use my skills and services for the country… I’m using it for the people.”     “… That is indeed an honorable move, Lord Heath.” Kent complimented as he nodded, “I wish you luck.”     “Yes… Anyway, there are two rumors that I heard about.” Heath said as he saddled into his wyvern, “You should be aware that the Marquess… doesn’t have long to life.”   “… I understand that.” Kent said sadly, knowing that the one he respected a lot will soon leave the world. But he was prepared for it. No one lives forever, and he has witnessed quite abundant of deaths of good people.     “Yes. But I also heard that…” Heath continued, “Lady Lyndis planned to abdicate Caelin under Lord Hector of Ostia in case that happened.”     “…” Kent was silent. He began thinking back to Fiora… If it’s true that Lyn would give Caelin to Hector, he would be given another position for it. But it’s his only chance… He has seen enough Caelin, perhaps he could see more about the vast world outside Caelin. And also… he would be free from any duties and can be with Fiora. But as a knight, he quickly dismissed the thought, as hoping for the death of his current Marquess would be shameful.     “Another rumor… well I don’t know if I am in the position to say such thing but…” Heath stopped for awhile, before he continued, “They say you and Lady Fiora has been involved into several affairs. Is that true ?”     Kent was shocked to hear it. He gasped in surprise, but he quickly coughed back and said, “Well… who knows.” However, his mind was saying something else, ‘Lord Heath is speaking the truth… I DO love Fiora…’     “Well, I’m sorry I asked.” Heath said as he pressed his knees to his wyvern, and it began flapping its wings, “Then I’ll take my leave now. Take care of yourself.” With that, Heath rode through the skies as Kent watched. After Heath was no longer in his sight, Kent moved back to the castle, and as he entered, his face expression was filled with shock.     “What is happening here !?” Kent let out as he witnessed the castle front hall in a mess, with a lot of unconscious soldiers. ‘Who could’ve done this…?’ Kent thought as he checked room to room, until eventually… he found a familiar unconscious fellow on the ground.     “Sain !!”     xxxx Somewhere north of Caelin xxxx     Heath has traveled quite far, but he had no reason to left. He just wished he could get an Ilia and start his mercenary career. Just then, he spotted an abandoned coliseum below him, surrounded with the forests.     ‘Is there danger…?’ Heath thought as he ordered his wyvern to stop. He took a little more observation about the forests surrounding the coliseum. ‘But I think I spotted people in there… I’ll check it out’.     Heath then glided downwards, yet slowly to see what was inside. He saw Banga sitting down in front of a rock, as if he’s writing a letter. ‘What kind of person choose to write a letter in a forest ? He could have used the coliseum nearby…’ Heath wondered, but as he looked around him, he was shocked, ‘Holy…! Isn’t that…!’     A woman was lying next to a rock, unconscious. Her arms were bent behind her and tied on her wrists and above her elbows and below her shoulders with strong ropes. Her legs were tied together on her ankles, knees and thighs. Her body was tied on her shoulders and her waists, between her breasts, with the same ropes, each forming three circles, as well as tying her body to her arms, pinning them together. And this woman was none other than Fiora.     ‘Fiora…! I have to… but she’s in a forest. It would be a hassle to barge in like that…’ Heath thought, trying to figure out a strategy to snoop and snatch her. However, when he looked around and he saw Banga looking at him and readying a bow, he was shocked, ‘I’m busted ! Damn, it wasn’t supposed to go like this !’ Heath cursed as he pressed his knee to his wyvern again, signaling it to escape.     However, Lady Luck wasn’t on his side today. Shortly after he flew several meters, he felt like his left arm was pierced. “ARGH !!” He let out and as he looked at it, he saw a letter attached to it. Heath then ordered his wyvern to land.     As he landed, he didn’t care for the pain he received as he tore the arrow from his arm. He then read it silently before folding it again and putting it back to his pocket. He then tore some of his sleeve and used it to bandage his wound, before getting back to Hyperion’s back and flew back to Caelin instead.     xxxx Castle Caelin xxxx     The Erturian Princess, Priscilla, was walking to the stables, trying to get her horse. “I guess this is good bye…” She mumbled. “It’s been fun, I won’t forget this.” However, before she entered the stables, she saw a figure on the sky. Priscilla gasped as she said, “Isn’t that… Sir Heath !?”     Indeed, it was Heath. As he landed, the wound on his left arm still stung, and as he held it, he moved to the castle, and in the same time, Priscilla came to him. “Sir Heath ! What happened !? Are you… all right ?”     “Lady Priscilla… I’m all right.” Heath said as he kept moving, “But now I have to meet Lord Kent…”     “But… the wound…!” Priscilla protested, “Shouldn’t I heal it first…?”     “Not now…” Heath refused as he continued, breathing rather heavily, “There is… an emergency message I have to bring. I will return to you… but you have to wait…” As Heath moved inside, Priscilla can only wait in worry.     ‘I hope nothing bad happens…’     xxxx Abandoned Coliseum xxxx     ‘Where… am I…?’     Fiora thought so when she opened her eyes. She found herself inside an empty room. However, she wasn’t exactly lying down in the ground. She was sitting on a chair instead, bound in the same way when she was unconscious, except that there are two more ropes tying her body to the chair and another rope bound her ankles and thighs to the chair as well.     ‘This hurts…’ Fiora thought as she tried to move her bound arms with no avail, which ended up with several futile light struggles, as the ropes started to hurt her body. ‘Who could have done this…’ Suddenly she gasped and remembered what happened recently, ‘That Banga…! It has to be him !’     Just then the door opened and a figure entered… Banga. “So you have awakened, eh, sweet little Pegasus Knight…?” He looked at Fiora victoriously as she struggled a little while looking at him with an angry eye.     “What do you want with me ?” She bolted angrily.     “Well, didn’t I tell you before ?” Banga said, “I am making you a bait to lure Kent here so I can personally kill him !”     “You only won because you have a Swordreaver Axe.” Fiora answered coldly while now she’s struggling for her legs, “He won’t repeat the same mistake.”     “Ha ! But that’s what you, hostages, are for !” Banga said as he approached Fiora. He stroke her soft chin skin as he said, “I will arrange his equipment myself, and if he didn’t do as I say… I will kill you ! Ha ! He will never win ! Hahaha !!” Banga laughed victoriously, and Fiora was quite sick to hear it. In disgust, she moved her legs in whatever limit she has due to the ropes binding her and stomped Banga’s feet, interrupting his laugh into a scream, “OOWWW !!!!”     “You are despicable !” Fiora let out angrily, “Death is too good for you ! Mark my words… Kent is strong, he’ll never lose to the likes of you ! I am sure he will defeat you and save me !”     “The same lines used by hostage girls…” Banga said as he pulled a thick white cloth from his pocket, “Shut up !”     “Get away from…” Fiora couldn’t continue as Banga circled the thick cloth around her mouth, gagging her and the rest of her words became, “Mmmph !”     “Stay like that until that fool arrive !” Banga said as he went outside, but he turned back and gave a scary look, “But don’t worry… I will let you see him die by my hands !”     “Mmmmmppph !! Mmmmmppph !!” Fiora continued to scream at the leaving Banga as she struggled against the ropes that bind her. But no matter how hard she struggled, she couldn’t break free.     ‘How could I let this happen…?’ Fiora wondered sadly as she gave up struggling, ‘I’m sorry, Farina and Florina… It’s my fault that you have to delay your returns to Ilia…’ Remembering her sisters, she could only let several tears dropped from her eyes. But as she thought something else, she became even more saddened and more tears dropped from her eyes.     ‘Kent… I don’t care what happened to me. But, please just be okay… Kent…’     xxxx Castle Caelin xxxx     “Sain, get a hold of yourself, Sain !!” Kent shouted as his buddy as he continued to pour some water to the unconscious Sain. It was a slow progress, but eventually Sain woke up.     “Uh… What…? What happened ?” Sain wondered.     “I found you unconscious. What actually happened ?” Kent asked him back, and suddenly Sain gasped, remembering what happened… Talking with Fiora and him getting knocked back by Banga.     “Oh no !” Sain said, “Something bad must have happened to Dame Fiora !”     “Fiora…?” Kent said in a worried tone and he then asked as if he’s pleading, “What happened to her !? Is she all right !? Tell me, Sain !”     “Whoa, calm down, Kent !” Sain tried to ease his friend, but Kent only breathed heavily, still worried about Fiora, “But… truth to be told I’m hardly calming down… A big brute barged in when I talked with Fiora. He knocked me unconscious and I… don’t know the rest. I hope she’s okay…”     “Actually… she was kidnapped.” A voice rang from the door, and when Kent looked at the one speaking, it was Heath, still wounded.     “Sir Heath…” Kent muttered, and as he looked at the wounded arm, he said, “Why didn’t you take care of your wound first ?”     “I thought this is direr…” Heath said as he reached out his pocket and handed the letter to Kent, “This is from her captor.” Kent was silent as he opened the letter and read it…     ‘Kent.     I have your female Pegasus Knight in my clutches now. If you want to save her, come and fight me in the abandoned coliseum located to a forest north of Caelin. You must only bring your horse and one Slim Sword, nothing else. And you must come alone before night. You fail to fulfill either one of them and I will kill your friend. I will be waiting…     Banga’       “That bastard…!” Kent couldn’t contain his anger as he ripped the letter into pieces. ‘I wasn’t there when she needed my protection… This is my fault...’ he thought as he started to leave the room.     “Hey, where are you going !?” Sain tried to stop him.     “That escapee Banga now kidnapped Fiora and if I want to save her, I have to fight him with just a slim sword.” Kent said, “I have to come alone, so don’t worry about me. And, Sir Heath…”     “Yes ?”     “You can now tend to your wound.” Kent suggested, “I believe Lady Priscilla hasn’t left yet, go to her.”     “Yep… that’s what I planned.” Heath answered. “Good luck…”     “Yeah, right. Go for it, buddy !” Sain said cheerfully, trying to bring confidence to his buddy, “This is your chance to be her knight in shining armor !”     Hearing that, Kent just sighed. He thought of nothing else, not even his duties. What matters the most now is Fiora, and he’s now moving according to his heart, not his position. He swore that he would rescue his love, and bring the captor, Banga, into justice. Moving to the barracks, he picked up a slim sword in there and headed to the stables and took his steed and headed north. He knew exactly the location of the coliseum as he used to go there for trainings along with Sain. As he rode through, he wasn’t even thinking that Fiora would leave soon. All he was thinking was her safety.     ‘Fiora… hold on… I’m coming to rescue you.’     xxxx Abandoned Coliseum xxxx     Fiora has been bound and gagged for several hours. However, Banga bound her extremely tight that she could feel that her whole body aches. But as soon as she found strength within her, she would struggle, even though it was futile. “Mmmmpphhh…” she whimpered in sadness and disappointed. During her whole career as a Pegasus Knight, she never played a role of a damsel in distress. It was usually her to rescue her sisters Farina and Florina from danger. But, right now, she was helplessly bound and gagged inside, completely hopeless to free herself. But another thing was also on her mind.     ‘What if… what if Kent didn’t care…? What if he didn’t come and rescue me…? Kent… where are you when I need you the most…?’       Eventually the door opened and Banga entered. Out of her predictions, he untied her from the chair only, but kept her body tied. “He has come… and I will grant you the honor to watch his death !”     “Mmmmpphh ! Mmmmmhhh !!” Fiora struggled greatly as the warrior lifted her up and put her on his shoulders and moved away from the room.     xxxx     As Banga waited at the arena, Kent eventually arrived. “You came, huh ! I knew you are not the type to back down that easily.” Banga greeted him, but Kent only replied with a cold glare.     “….” Kent was silent for awhile, cursing on how careless he was to let this all happened. He was careless on the prison security to let him escape; he was careless to let him ‘best’ him with a Swordreaver; and now… He was careless to let him kidnap his beloved Fiora. Eventually, he let out a cold reply, “… Where is Fiora…?”     Banga then stepped aside and revealed Fiora, sitting down in the corner of the arena, bound and gagged. “Mmmmppph !!” she tried to call his name, ‘Kent…!’     “… It is I that you want.” Kent continued coldly and sternly, “… She has nothing to do with this. I came as you suggested, just with a slim sword. Let her go.”     “… Never.” Banga said, “I promised her that I’ll let her watch you get killed. And right now you’re going to get it !!” Banga then roared as he brandished his Swordreaver Axe and rushed to Kent.     “You monster…!” Kent said as he prepared his Slim Sword. But Banga’s first strike came quicker and thus he had no choice but to dodge for now. He barely dodged the attack, and returned swiftly to attack. It both hit, but it has minimum effect to damage Banga.     ‘Calm yourself, Kent… calm yourself…’ Kent said to himself. He looked at Fiora, who was helplessly bound and gagged. The will to protect her alone gave him strength to keep up the attacks. As the battle raged on, Banga delivered a lot of strikes, but Kent could only dodge it, when he’s fully concentrated. And when he’s concentrated, his attacks did little to no damage at all to Banga.     “Mmmmppphh !!” Fiora let out a muffled cry, worried about Kent’s condition. ‘I can’t just sit here… I have to do something…!’ She struggled against her bonds, even though it was futile, she continued on anyway, ‘Please let loose…! Please…!’ Just when she was struggling, she spotted a shiny metal within the sandy ground. ‘It looks like… a javelin…!’ Fiora then turned to a new resolve. She tried to move while sitting down and tried to hold the javelin with her bound arms. ‘Untying myself now is not important. I have to give this to Kent so he can gain an edge…!’ she thought as she tried to grab the javelin. When she did, she tried to get up on her feet.     ‘This is getting ridiculous…’ Kent thought in a disappointment after a lot of futile strikes. But this decreased his concentration and Banga didn’t miss the chance to struck Kent with his Swordreaver Axe. Without any more rooms to dodge, Kent tried to block it instead, but the axe cleaved through the sword, cutting the steel and barely hitting his ribs, enough to create a good chunk of wound.     “GAAAHH !!” Kent roared in pain as he fell from his horse, holding his wounded ribs. ‘How can I let my guard down…?’     “MMMMMMPPPHHH !!!” At this point, Fiora started shouting under her gag. She tried to shout as loud as possible for a certain reason…     “Ha ! Now there’s no escape for you !” Banga said as he started flexing himself, showing his massive muscles. Kent looked down...     ‘This is the end…’ he thought, and as he tried to look at Fiora, he thought more, “Forgive me, Fiora… I have failed you…’     “MMMMPPPPPHHNNNTT !!!” Fiora shouted even more, and thanks to her effort, her gag went off by itself, letting her shout normally, “KENT !!!”     “What…!?” Kent said in disbelief, and he was shocked when he saw Fiora bending body and spun it, as she threw the javelin to Kent. ‘A javelin…!?’ Kent thought, but he knew that his chance has come.     “Too late for any mercy now ! DIE !!!” Banga said as he lunged once more, trying to strike Kent again. However, Kent was quick enough to grab the javelin and thrusted it to Banga. The javelin impaled through Banga’s heart before his axe could touch Kent.     “Guh… Huh… Too bad… I am the winner…” Banga said weakly as blood gushed from his body, “… My axe… is poisoned… you are… going to die… haa haa haa…” As he said that, he fell to the ground, dead. Kent breathed heavily as he stood up. Holding his wounded rib, he approached Fiora who greeted him with a grateful smile, and he proceeded to slowly untie her.     “Kent… you came…” Fiora said as she hugged Kent, “I knew you’d come and save me… thank you…”     “… What matters to me… are that… you are… safe…” Kent said rather weakly as he started to lose control of his body, the poison taking effect, “Fiora… I… l-lo…” He couldn’t finish his sentence as he fell to his knees and unconscious.     “Kent…? Kent…!” Fiora became extremely worried as she nudged him slowly to wake him up. But it was no avail. Eventually, tears welled up from her eyes and she wailed in sorrow.     “NOOOOOOOO !!!!!!”     xxxx Castle Caelin xxxx     After finding out that Kent was just poisoned and there’s still hope for him, Fiora hurried back to Caelin, with Kent’s steed. Horseback riding isn’t too different than riding a Pegasus so she didn’t have much problem.     In Caelin, she herself took care of Kent, with Antitoxins and other medicines. But the poison was quite strong and Kent never regained consciousness for the whole night. But Fiora didn’t mind and she skipped her meals, only to take care of Kent. She was scared… scared of losing him. She has failed to protect her fellow mercenaries from death, and she didn’t want the horror to be rekindled on Kent. Her sisters tried to persuade her not to overwork, but she ignored their advices.     As morning started to rise, Fiora sat near Kent’s bed, looking at his unconscious body. “Kent… please don’t leave me…” she muttered as she started to cry again, “If… if you die here… sniff… I’ll… I’ll be… sniff… I’ll be all alone… It’s all my fault… Kent… I… I…” She buried her face to her hands, uncontrollably sobbing and sniffing. ‘I love you… so please don’t die on me, Kent…!” She thought as she was too absorbed on sobbing. She admitted that at this rate, she looked more of a crybaby than her youngest timid sister Florina. But she couldn’t help it…     Eventually…     “Urgh…& #8221; A voice came out from Kent’s mouth. His eyelids started to move and his hands moved again. Eventually, his eyes opened and the first thing he saw was Fiora, looking at him with eyes full of tears. “Fiora…? Why are you…”     “KENT !!” Fiora shrieked as she circled her arms around him, hugging him as she sobbed, “I’m scared… I was never this scared… Kent…”     “… I’m… grateful, Fiora.” Kent said as he returned the hug, “The reason why I’m still here is you. If you didn’t throw the javelin, I would have been killed…”     Just then the door opened, and Fiora’s middle sister, Farina, entered. Without seeing the situation, she let out, “Come on now, sis. You haven’t even take a break from treating him ! It’s bad for your health you know… Huh ?” Farina stopped as she saw Kent no longer unconscious. Both he and Fiora gave Farina a confused look. “Oh, ahem… well sorry about that. I think I’m gonna leave here for awhile…” With that, Farina left the room.     “You… you took care of me all day ?” Kent asked in awe to Fiora, and she nodded. He then continued, “You shouldn’t overwork yourself. But… I thank you nonetheless.”     “Kent… I… I…” Fiora was stammering, she still doubted if her action is morally not wrong, but eventually she gathered her courage and said, “I love you… That’s why I couldn’t let you die.”     “You are serious about this…?” Kent asked.     “I’m serious, Kent… I don’t seem to be the type to joke, right ?” Fiora said to him. Kent just let out a smile.     “Well… have you heard about the rumor ?” Kent asked.     “What rumor ?”     “… Lord Hausen… he hasn’t much longer to live.” Kent started, “And they say if he dies, Lady Lyndis would abdicate Caelin to Ostia.”     “Oh…” That was all Fiora could mutter.     “… I know it doesn’t sound right for me to say this now, but… Let this be our secret.” Kent continued, “If those events do happen, I already have a plan to resign my duties as a knight.”     “Then what will you do…?” Fiora said, but she quickly blushed as Kent grabbed her arms.     “… I plan to move and stay to Ilia with you.” Kent said, “Because…” this time, Kent also gathered his courage to say the words he wanted to say… “Protecting you is one of my duties, Fiora… I love you.”     At this moment, a certain force was slowly pushing both knights. Fiora’s face began to blush even fiercer, matching Kent’s armor color, and so did his face. Slowly, both faces moved closer and closer, and as both lips met, they pressed each other, sealing their newly admitted feelings with a kiss… love. Both have struggled against their moral standards and duties. However, love is more powerful than anyone can imagine and it will prevail in the end, as Kent and Fiora has experienced and proven. And now, even though their body may physically be apart, their hearts will never be apart anymore…     THE END     NJB : One thing, this is my first shot, so it may be sucky… (especially the ending) but I’ll be looking forward for the reviews ! Please be nice !