Fandom Fire Emblem Heroes: Rise of the Forgotten Dragon

[ReaperMelia]

Azura
"Emblan forces are marching on the castle! All heroes, prepare for battle!" The call erupted from the entrance of Askr's castle as the roars of soldiers from countless realms echoed the rallying cry and hastily prepared their weapons. How did the Emblan army manage to sneak across the border to the castle? Why were they even attempting to invade in the first place? The nations had a fraught history, though they had managed to avoid conflict for a while. So what made them choose to advance now? The question was buzzing in every hero's head, though they didn't have time to ponder it. Everyone had to prepare for combat, and most of the soldiers stationed at the castle had grown a little too relaxed from the extended period of peace in the heart of Askr.

Amidst the panicked cries and confused shouts, a gentle song bubbled up above the clamor and streamed down the halls. The frantic banter died down as the heroes listened to a voice that would be familiar to some of them offer a soothing melody to pierce through the tension. The songstress, Azura, may have been the soft-spoken type normally, but she knew this was her time to shine. She'd have to sing as loudly and clearly as she could to prepare everyone for the coming threat. She'd played this role plenty of times back in her home world, and she still felt it was her greatest contribution to the Order of Heroes in Askr.

A wave of calm cascaded across the hall, and after a brief quiet, the surrounding forces cheered themselves on in unison before marching ahead towards the castle entrance. A quiet sigh escaped Azura's lips as she took a moment to glance around at the crowds that were now charging forward with renewed vigor. She managed to rally everyone before the fight... And now she had to do what she could to ensure morale remained high during the battle itself. The songstress' grip on her lance tightened as her mind raced through all of the ways she could support her allies. It didn't take long for her to decide upon the best course of action: finding Alfonse and sticking close to him. As the leader of the Order of Heroes, his morale affected that of every other soldier. She'd have to do her best to ensure he remained confident for the entire army's sake.

Once she made it outside, Azura scanned out into the distance. The Emblan vanguard was already marching down the road leading to the castle. A group of cavaliers headed up the Emblan forces, and a squadron of pegasus knights and wyvern riders moved forward to soar over the walls and directly into the castle grounds. Their infantry marched behind the cavalry, and Emblan mages were already hurling fireballs and bursts of winds at the Order of Heroes' front line. Askran snipers manned the castle ballistae and fired at the sky forces, thinning their numbers.

Azura steeled her resolve and pushed forward, sticking close to the Askran front line while keeping an eye out for the young prince. Steel crashed against steel as the ground forces of the two armies finally converged, and the princess knew this was when she'd really need to give it her all. She began to dance across the battlefield, finding any allies in need of support and giving them the melodic encouragement only a select few in the Order could offer. As the sounds of colliding metal and lightning bolts crackling towards their targets filled the air, she raised her tone and ensured her song was heard.

Her eyes darted to the side as she spotted an archer struggling to nock his next arrow a short distance away. She turned in a graceful swooping motion and hurried over to his side, offering up her favorite tune. The stress melted away from his face as he slowed down a moment to line his arrow up properly. He flashed a quick smile at the songstress before loosing his bow, striking an Emblan pegasus knight that had been swooping down towards an Askran assassin. "We must keep level heads. The Order of Heroes will prevail!" Her reassuring message helped the archer remain calm, and her work at his side was done. Now she only had to figure out where Alfonse went...

Triandra
The call for battle may have come to a surprise to those who had spent most of their time relaxing in the quiet castle, but for Triandra, the calm times had never truly felt peaceful. Not without Plumeria. Especially not without Lady Freyja. She couldn't afford to rest or let her guard down. A lingering effect from the time before she became a dökkálfr, she supposed. Not that her memories of that time were whole, but many of the few hazy fragments that she had managed to recall were memories of strife, danger, and pain. Of course, she couldn't regret the pain if it meant protecting someone dear to her. Even before she fought for Lady Freyja, conflict was a constant in her life. Still, fighting alongside Askr was a new sensation, and it made her feel a bit uneasy.

It hadn't been long since she made her way to the castle of her former enemies and asked to be taken in. She knew from the start there was no way that the Order would remember its time in the realm of dreams, though she'd been proven wrong. It seemed that Peony had managed to reconnect with the Askrans and filled them in on at least enough for Triandra to be recognized when she arrived. She prepared to be told to leave or perhaps even be attacked, but to her surprise, they were willing to hear her out. She told them that she wanted to stay at Askr and help the Order of Heroes, and they thankfully didn't push back with too many questions. Perhaps her goal was obvious. Maybe they didn't care. Maybe that cheery ljósálfr was the one who insisted the Order should give her a chance. Either way, her mission had brought her here, and she swore to fight alongside Askr for now.

Triandra silently shook her head to try to forget that sense of unease. She had work to do. The fairy's wings began flapping as she rose over the surge of heroes to get a better idea of what they were facing. The Emblan vanguard was drawing frighteningly close already, and she could see additional platoons further beyond coming down from the nearby mountains. One thing struck her a little odd: if Embla really was plotting a full-scale invasion, the forces they were sending thus far seemed miniscule compared to what she'd expect from a massive nation. Maybe this was just the first skirmish before Embla sent most of its troops, but Askr would be better prepared for the next attack in that case. It seemed odd, but Triandra didn't have time to linger on the thought too much, anyway.

Being so new to the Order of Heroes, Triandra hadn't really had the opportunity to find a place where she really fit in as a combatant. She'd done a few training exercises to show what she was capable of, but there hadn't been time for her to be assigned to any particular group or partnered with any specific heroes. This left her in a difficult position where she wasn't sure where to go. She could take on the Emblan sky knights given her own ability to fly, though the snipers seemed better suited to that task at the moment. After a short internal debate, Triandra chose to entrust the fliers to the snipers before pushing forward, soaring over the other heroes to reach the Emblan cavaliers. Fighting on the front lines would help her prove her own abilities and gain the trust of the Order, which was something she desperately needed if she wanted to accomplish her own mission.

By the time she touched down and regrouped with the Askran front line, they were already engaged in combat. Horse hooves pounded against the earth as the enemy cavaliers charged ahead and slashed at Askran troops, and a few pegasus knights diverted from the castle and tried to divebomb unsuspecting heroes. An axe-wielder charged at Triandra, hefting his colossal weapon overhead before bringing it crashing down. Triandra's wings fluttered as she darted off to the side. The axe smashed into the ground and was left lodged in the soil. Triandra held her palm forward to face her foe, the Flower of Sorrow levitating just in front of her hand. "You'll wish this was only a nightmare." Spears of dark energy surged forth from the flower, barraging the axe-wielder. The Emblan's grip on his axe loosened before he collapsed. One foe down, many more to go. She took a moment to observe her surroundings and determine what her next course of action should be.

 

[Ploegy]

Ａｌｆｏｎｓｅ
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Word of Emblan forces marching on Askr had reached Aflonse long before it had echoed out among the soldiers, heroes and various members of the Order of Heroes he commanded. With no king to guide them, it had been his mother's request for the Askr forces to halt the other's advances. That very order was given to him. He knew it never got easier for her to send not only her son, but the heir to the throne off to do such bidding. It had been his choice even when his father still lived. A prince needed to protect his people and ensure they could live in peace. It was no different from how he viewed being king was, all politics aside.

That was the very thing he planned to do. Mobilizing their troops quickly and effectively was his first job. That was the easy part. All it took was one word to Anna and she was off to assure it was done. That was the power she had as the Order's highest ranking commander. It was a luxury he had as well. Letting those concerns seeping from his mind, Alfonse quietly continued to walk through the castle's halls in solitude. For how many heroes that had joined their cause, he still found places within these walls to be alone, even if it came at such inopportune times. Still, it gave him time to sort through his own busy thoughts. A lot had happened in recent times and his head was still reeling from it all. Unfortunately he never had time to sort through it all. Even now in his own company he knew he couldn't sift through it all. He could only sort through the important subjects.

Embla. That was at the top of the list. Relations with the neighboring kingdom had been rocky in the past and even now, they were still in an area of gray. Still, he and Veronica had come to see eye to eye. Why would she dare betray that? It seemed like an underhand tactic, though he couldn't put it off the table. It wasn't as if he knew what went through her mind or who was pulling her strings, if anyone at all. After everything she had witnessed alongside them though, he knew this couldn't be a direct order from her. Someone else was acting and guising it as an attack from Embla. That had to be it! Such assumptions were dangerous to make, but Alfonse was no stranger to them.

Finding himself whisked away from his inner musings as he stepped out of the castle and left its safety behind, Alfonse's ears were filled with the sounds of panicked soldiers. People rushed past him, hurrying to their posts without so much a word spoken in his direction. He understood. Most wouldn't wish to get on the bad side of the very prince who would be leading their charge. They wanted to busy themselves and prove they were focused. He could appreciate as much.

His focus remained on his own task as he carried himself through the sea of castle soldiers and summoned heroes. Without so much as a word, he was join by a familiar trio: Anna, Sharena and his ever faithful summoner, Kiran. Blue orbs flickered over his shoulder to briefly acknowledge the group before focusing ahead of himself once more.

"Any news?" he asked bluntly.

"Nothing new. Only confirmation that these soldiers are indeed bearing the colors of Embla," Anna responded.

That hardly put Alfonse at ease, but he had no time to relax. The fighting had already begun and he needed to arrive at the front lines to rally his troops. It was dangerous, but as their leader he chose to fight at the head in hopes of keeping spirits up. "Sharena, Kiran, stay in the backlines. Help anyone who needs it. Anna, lead the castle soldiers. I leave them in your hands."

Hearing their orders, the three took off without protest. It left Alfonse to listen to the clash of steel and crackle of magic as he picked up his pace to arrive at the front lines. Unfortunately for him, the enemy had taken notice and without concern, a group broke through to target him. Quickly, he brought his own sword up to meet the oncoming blade of the first soldier, but he could see others coming. This was bad.

Parrying back the assassin that had clashed with him, his eyes narrowed and he raised his shield up to block the polearm jabbing towards his side. The force of it pushed him back and he grunted. Two soldiers was doable for him, but sadly it was more. His gaze flickered between the four, preparing himself for the worst, though refusing to resign himself too quickly.

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Finally, some fighting. Hector had been waiting for another opportunity to use his axe upon the enemies of Askr. For most of the other soldiers, they had been enjoying the brief peace, but him, he had been constant training... pushing himself. There was no rest for someone like him. It had been the same back home. The politics of his position never had appealed to him. He rather use his strength to speak in place of some fancy words or documents. If people didn't like his bluntness, then they could prove themselves to him. It was a simple concept, though Eliwood often scolded him for such boorish antics. While his friend didn't shy away from the methods he used, he knew he was far more eloquent with his speech than himself. Maybe if he was here he would have convinced him to use his free time for relaxing.

Either way, it was a good thing he hadn't. His training left him not only prepared, but eager to fight. At the first command to ready, he was one of, if not the first to do so and without hesitation at that. Why would he need to hesitate after all? With Armads at his side, he didn't need to worry. The axe would never let him down. Swords, lances, even bows could all quiver in the war axe's quake. It was something Hector took great pride in. His enemies would quickly find out too.

The moment the Emblan soldiers dared to break their ranks, Hector was there like an armored fortress. For someone with armor as bulky as his own, he moved with great precision and power. Armads swung heavily through the air as he swung it down upon his opponent, terrorizing the poor soldier that had dared to try and overpower the likes of him. The sight of raw strength was more than enough to scare off any further attackers, but their assault on his comrades did not cease. Their attacks were not met without resistance from him though. Barging in on such fights, Hector put himself between his comrade and the oncoming sword that faced them. The clank of blade to armor echoed out and he scoffed in disapproval.

"You ought to train harder," he stated promptly before bringing a swift end to the soldier without a second thought. Hearing the praises of the soldier he protected, he gave a small nod of his head before continuing on.

As he he did, his eyes caught sight of two women among the ranks. The first was the pale blue haired songstress. She had always bewildered the likes of Hector. While her singing brought up morale, he could hardly see her as a fighter, yet she was still put among their ranks. Even now as she did her work, she seemed somewhat distracted as if looking for someone. He could only assume it was the very person who put his trust in her; the prince that led this ragtag Order. He couldn't say he wasn't curious as to where he was as well, but his search would have to wait as his eyes flickered towards the other woman that had stood out; Triandra. Her wings fluttered about, allowing her to fly above the ground troops, but not high enough to join the battle in the sky between pegasi and wyvern knights. It seemed she knew her place, though much like Azura, she too was an enigma to him. Her magic was undoubtedly an asset though.

His mind was pulled off the matter as he brought his gaze down once more and he caught sight of the familiar armor of the Askr Prince. He was being surrounded. The last thing they needed was to lose their leader early in this fight. Swallowing his own pride, her knew the more help he could gather the better.

"You two, this way!" Hector bellowed out to Azura and Triandra as he waved them forward towards Alfonse. "We need to help the prince, now!"

 

[ReaperMelia]

Azura
The booming voice of a familiar hero caught Azura's attention as she whirled around to look behind herself. Hector, one of the most imposing members of the Order, was pointing in the direction of the prince... And he was in danger. In a way, Alfonse reminded the songstress of Corrin. Always ready to rush into battle alone if necessary, eager to protect his people. As admirable as it was, someone with that mentality needed to have allies ready to look out for them. Azura had done that with Corrin, and it seemed that she'd be doing it for Alfonse as well. She quickly addressed Hector before moving out. "Understood!" With her brief confirmation stated, she rushed to the prince.

She noted four Emblan soldiers surrounding Alfonse. With her, Hector, and the mysterious woman Hector had called out to, that meant they'd have even numbers. Azura usually didn't fight foes directly herself, but she'd need to manage that to keep her allies' burdens light. And besides, even if she didn't do it often, she could hold her own as long as she was careful. The songstress still knew her first move would be to give the prince some support. She raced to his side and hummed a soothing melody to try to him him refocus. "I'm glad we could find you in time, Prince Alfonse." Azura then gripped her lance tightly as she took note of their foes.

The polearm user currently engaged with Alfonse would be a problem for the prince, but Azura would be on about equal footing with him thanks to their similar weaponry. Given that she was more of a supporter than a direct fighter, she wasn't sure she liked her odds in that situation. Thankfully, Hector seemed like he could handle that one easily, and Triandra could use her magic to strike him down from afar if she chose to do so. The assassin would be tricky given his speed, but Azura was light on her feet as well. She also had the advantage in terms of weapon and reach. The songstress directed her attention to the assassin and advanced.

The assassin took note of Azura's approach and prepared to evade her attack. Azura jabbed at the assassin with her lance, and he deftly jumped to the side before dashing at the songstress. He gripped his sword and swung once Azura was in his range, but she gracefully sidestepped the attack and swiped at him. Once he was knocked off balance, she followed up with another jab, taking the assassin down. She sighed in relief. That still left three more, but her allies were preparing to handle them. She'd just have to be ready to assist as necessary. She began moving closer to Alfonse, preparing to lift his spirits with another song if the need arose.


Triandra
Before the fairy could decide on her next move, it seemed that someone else decided for her. She had seen the armored man a few times since she first arrived in Askr. He seemed to be the bold and boisterous type who was itching for a good fight. It seemed as though he was at least decisive... Triandra just hoped his bite was as strong as his bark. Helping the prince sounded like a good move to make; it would ensure their leader was safe while also allowing her to prove that she really was here to help. She just had to hurry over and make sure the three of them could reach Alfonse in time.

Triandra's wings fluttered as she began gliding towards the prince and his adversaries. The blue-haired songstress was the first to target a foe, choosing to focus on the assassin. The dökkálfr scanned the battlefield to take note of the remaining Emblan soldiers in the scuffle. One of the three, a dark mage, was hanging back and aiming for Alfonse while he took on the polearm user. Triandra took a quick glance at Hector before noting her plan. "The one back there is mine. Protect the prince." She still wasn't exactly used to strategizing alongside the heroes, but she knew it would be best to at least attempt to coordinate something.

With her strategy made, Triandra soared over towards the mage, extending her hand clutching the Flower of Sorrow. The dark mage's eyes had been focused on Alfonse as she prepared a spell, but her attention shot over to the fairy speeding in her direction well before Triandra was in attacking range. The mage gripped her nosferatu tome and reached her own palm out to face Triandra, and a dark miasma suddenly formed around the dökkálfr. Triandra grimaced as her strength was slowly sapped away. Her wings began to feel heavy and sluggish as they moved, and the pain nearly threatened to bring her crashing down. She grunted as she struggled to push through the pain. She had endured untold suffering through her entire life. She couldn't let a simple spell like this bring her down. Not when she still had her goal to work towards.

With a low groan, Triandra's wings flapped harder, propelling the fairy within attacking range of the dark mage. The Emblan mage nearly dropped her tome at the sight of Nightmare incarnate darting in her direction. The Flower of Sorrow hovered just ahead of Triandra's palm as the fairy's eyes locked with her foe's. "Go to sleep." Dark spears hurtled towards the mage, striking her down with just a few bolts. Once her foe had fallen, Triandra settled down on her feet, giving her wings a rest as glanced around at the current situation. The prince still needed to be protected. She took flight once again and closed in on Alfonse, prepared to stop any other foes who threatened him. She'd always devoted her life to protecting others, so she knew she wouldn't fail here.

 

[Ploegy]

Ａｌｆｏｎｓｅ + Ｈｅｃｔｏｒ
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It was good both women willingly listened to Hector's request to aid Alfonse. Even if they hadn't, he would have rushed in himself to protect their leader in hopes that his strength alone would have been enough. Four enemies would have been a breeze for the likes of him, but with the prince in danger, it was better to assure he couldn't be take off guard, no matter how much it hurt Hector's own ego. He'd make up for it later if he needed. For now all he could do was follow suit and aid the two women he had momentarily recruited to his cause.

Following in pursuit of his comrades, he was the last of the trio to arrive and therefore had limited options on who to engage. Azura had taken the assassin while Triandra focused down the mage, leaving only the polearms and axe fighters for him to deal with. Both were doable for a man like himself, though given the range advantage a lance would have over Alfonse's own sword, he quickly assessed which target to prioritize. Armads would definitely be able to hold its own against such a weapon. It was one of strength after all, and even if he were to be hit, his armor would protect him far better than the others would have.

There wasn't another thought in his head as he barged forward to the prince's side and brought his weapon to the ready. Alfonse was more than ready to sidestep his oncoming ally, especially since he could easily hear him coming due to the clanking of his heavy armor. Watching the much larger man charge past him and lock into combat with the polearm user, his own gaze flickered away from him and moved towards Azura. Hearing her voice, he gave a simple nod, allowing her soft melody to soothe him before he dared to respond.

"I appreciate the assistance, Azura. Thank you." It was a simple response, but it was all he could manage before the songstress busied herself and he was brought under attack once more.

His sword came up quickly to meet the oncoming axe and he growled softly under his breath. He didn't have time for this needless fighting. He needed to get closer to the front lines and determine the enemies objective, whatever it may be. These soldiers were only slowing him down, though, he understood why. He was a prime target whether he liked it or not. Killing someone like him would immediately take the wind out of his troops and lower morale beyond belief. It was something he could not afford. Besides, he couldn't imagine the effect it might have on his mother and sister.

Pushing the thought aside, Alfonse regained his focus and pushed his opponent back, causing her to stagger before he darted forward. He couldn't let up now. If he did, she would recover and possibly take off guard instead. Luckily, his quick thinking gave him the upper hand and in one swift attack, he dispatched the axe unit, giving her a quick death. Her blood stained the blade of his sword though he quickly pulled his eyes from it as he turned to see how the others were fairing. The sound of Azura's singing was enough of an indication of her condition, and it brought a faint smile to his lips before he glanced in Triandra's direction. Noticing her fluttering towards him, it was clear she had accomplished her goal as well. That left only Hector, though admittedly, he was least worried about the hulking man.

To no surprise Hector too had reigned victorious over his opponent. His large axe rested on the ground, blocking the view of the fallen body, but it was enough information for Alfonse to know they were safe for the moment.

"I'm glad to see you're all safe, and I greatly appreciate the aid. If it wouldn't be much to ask-" he began, but before he could finish his request, the arrival of a messenger cut him off and his attention immediately focused on them.

"I have news on the enemies target, your Highness!"

"What have you heard?"

"The gate leading to Lycia, more specifically the one linked to Pherae."

Those words were enough to catch Hector's attention. While Pherae itself wasn't his home, it was Eliwood's. If his friend was in need, then he couldn't stand around and wait to take action. Lifting Armads up from the ground, he hoisted it over his shoulder and pushed forward without a word to be said. It was the kind of reckless action he was known for, even with the dangers of battle before him. For a noble, he had little regard for his own wellbeing if it meant standing for something he cared for. It was exactly what made him stand out from most others.

However, his actions did not go unnoticed and Alfonse watched with wide eyes. "Hector, wait!"

Those words would fall on deaf ears and leave the prince with a list of concerns, but before he dared rushed after the bold noble, he needed more information. He knew Hector's actions had reason, but it was clear he often forgot that more than one gate to Lycia existed: one to his own time, and one to the time of his daughter and Eliwood's son. "Tell me, which gate exactly was it?"

"The gate of Binding!"

Of course it was. While they still needed to protect it, there was less reason for Hector to rush ahead, though knowing the man he would have rushed to assure his daughter's world was protected as well even if technically it wasn't his daughter per se. Still the information was useful. If only Lord Roy had been present. He had returned home within the last few months to deal with issues that plagued his home. Was this somehow tied? Maybe, but they wouldn't know until they made contact.

Turning his head toward Triandra, he gave her a brief bow of it before speaking: "Could you fly ahead and assist Hector? Azura will stay with me and be right behind you."

 

[ReaperMelia]

Azura / Triandra
The two women regrouped with Alfonse and Hector just as the prince struck down the last of their foes and had a moment to catch his breath. Azura used the brief respite to take a deep breath and slow down a tiny bit as she approached the others. Thankfully, everyone made it through this battle... Though it was clear that they all had a lot more work to do. Either way, they'd all be much more efficient now that they had all regrouped. Of course, that was assuming they all stuck together. Hector had a history of rushing right into danger when something caught his attention, and Triandra was still a wildcard to the songstress. After all, she had once been their enemy. She hadn't spent much time learning to fight alongside the rest of the Order, so who knew if she would just decide to do her own thing and not listen to orders?

While Triandra was still feeing the effects of the nosferatu spell that had hit her earlier, she wasn't going to let the other see it slow her down. She fluttered to the rest of the group and hovered just above the ground, her wings flapping hard to keep her aloft. The others had taken down their foes as well, and the prince seemed ready to deliver new orders. She silently listened as he began speaking, but he was quickly cut off by a messenger. Another realm was at risk of falling under attack... One that Hector seemed to be well acquainted with. He charged off before anyone even had a chance to speak, let alone try to stop him. For someone running around in heavy armor, he sure seemed to be fast when he wanted to be. Triandra found that recklessness a bit frustrating, especially since it meant their formation would be off. While she didn't doubt her ability to protect the prince, even she could tell that the little team they had formed for a brief moment would have few weaknesses as long as they worked together. As strange as it felt cooperating with the Order, she could at least do what was necessary to ensure their victory.

And with that, Alfonse gave his orders. Triandra was to stick close to Hector while Alfonse and Azura would follow as closely as they could. The order made sense; Triandra's wings were fast, and her flight made it easier for her to go over or around others. Still, she knew that having to team up with the man who had just dashed away in the middle of a heated battlefield would likely just lead to trouble. She couldn't show any concerns, though. She simply faced the prince and nodded. "Understood. I'll make sure he's safe." Her wings fluttered more rapidly as she took off again, flying as quickly as she could in Hector's direction. She couldn't believe how far ahead he managed to run already... In a way, Triandra understood it. She'd do anything for Lady Freyja. Still, it wouldn't hurt for him to give things a little more thought before running off.

She zipped over a few soldiers as she rushed for her armored ally. Thankfully, it seemed that a hulking mass of steel carrying a massive axe barreling down a field just startled most people and made them get out of his way before resuming their battles. Triandra didn't quite seem to have the same effect. Still, she managed to catch up after a little while. She noticed a nearby mage aim a sneaky shot at Hector while she was distracted, but one blast from the Flower of Sorrow was enough to stun their enemy before she could cast a spell. With that taken care of, Triandra flew alongside Hector and managed to match his speed. "I'm here to back you up. The other two will catch up with us soon."

Triandra remained quiet for a moment after updating her frantic ally, though a question burned in the back of her mind. She hadn't really taken to small talk with the heroes, and a battlefield seemed like a bad place for that anyway. Still, his determination caught her attention, and she couldn't help but wonder why he felt so compelled to put himself in danger. Keeping her head on a swivel to ensure they weren't the targets of any additional stealth attacks, Triandra decided to ask. "Is Pherae your home?" It would explain his eagerness to get to the gate, anyway. She knew there were two different gates that led to Lycia, though she didn't know if the gate of Binding was the one Hector came from. Either way, Hector was ready to put his life on the line before even knowing which gate was being targeted. Triandra wanted to know if he had something-- or someone-- to protect.

Azura watched as her two allies rushed off into the chaos between their group and the gate of Binding. The songstress tried to not let her concerns get the better of her, but she couldn't help worrying about how this would go. She knew Hector could handle himself, but with his focus entirely on getting to the gate, he might not be as on guard as he normally would be. She wasn't entirely sure if having Triandra in the mix was the best move, either. Sure, it was easier for her to catch up, but she was still a bit of an unknown... And Azura wasn't sure if Hector would necessarily trust a former enemy like her in the first place. It also broke up their formation, leaving her and Alfonse to catch up. Just when the situation had seemed to improve, the plan had to be shifted again.

She couldn't afford to think about it. Her job was to ensure the Order was calm and capable. She couldn't do that if she let herself worry about the others. She took a breath to compose herself before facing the prince. "I'm glad we made it to you in time... You're not injured, are you? We'll need to be in good shape if we want to keep up with those two." Hector's size and Triandra's speed made them intimidating foes, but Azura and Alfonse wouldn't have those advantages. If anything, they were in more danger. The Emblan forces would likely continue to target the prince, and now it was just up to Azura to ensure he was safe. She would do all she could, but it was going to be a lot more difficult without Hector and Triandra around to help.

Azura chanced another quick glance in the direction of the gate. The sight of Hector's bulky armor and Triandra's wings grew more distant the longer they waited. Azura didn't want to rush Alfonse if he was injured, but they didn't seem to have much time. "I'm staying at your side, but I want to make sure those two are fine as well. You know how Hector can get sometimes..." Her tone was as still and gentle as ever, but she worried some of her concern seeped through into it. She still had her concerns about Embla's arrival as well, and their goal only made things more curious. They weren't going for multiple gates, nor were they simply trying to seize the castle. "Why the gate of Binding, anyway...? What are they after...?"

 

[Ploegy]

Ａｌｆｏｎｓｅ + Ｈｅｃｔｏｒ
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Watching Triandra fly off at his command put Alfonse at ease. While there still was some trust to be had between them, it was nice to see she was willing to listen to him. There was always the concern of whether or not new members would follow commands, even those coming from more favorable situations. It was tiring, yet it was all part of what happened given the world which they lived in. The villains and even former enemies were the ones he worried about most, though it seemed this time around he could be at ease.

Before he could think too deeply into it, Alfonse heard Azura speak to him and he nodded his head curtly at her words, assuring her that he was fine and able to keep up with the others as soon as possible. "I'm fine. You all made it just in time before anything bad could happen."

It was simple assurance into his well being, but it was no lie. If he had to fend for himself for much longer than he had then things would have gotten dicey, but that crisis was averted. Now they could press on and deal with their new issue at hand. With Hector barging into enemies lines, they needed to make sure he didn't get hurt and that they could properly deal with the gate that was currently under attack.

Without another word, Alfonse began to move after their companions all while continuing to listen to her. She did have a point. Hector was known to have certain tendencies, some which were hard to keep up with at times, even for someone like himself who had grown accustomed to the wildness of it all. It left situations like this a delicate thing for him to handle, but he knew he couldn't ignore them. That tended to make matters worse. Then there was the question she posed. That too played into these kinds of things. The why. Typically it was to gain help of certain heroes and trap them under some form of contract they could not escape from unless someone intervened. Was that what they wanted here? Had they heard Lord Roy had gone back to Pherae in the last few months, thus decided to attack in effort to gain him as an "ally" of sorts? That didn't seem likely in his eyes, yet he couldn't write it off as not being the case.

"I have no clue what they might be after. Maybe it is Roy himself. That is his home after all," he mused as they moved along. "We'll have to find out once we get there since I have no definitive answers for you."

It was a shame, but it was how it was. There was no changing it.

While Azura and Alfonse tried to catch up to Hector and Triandra, Hector was still charging ahead with Armads in hand. For a bulky armored man, he did move quick and still could swing an axe when needed. As he heard the voice of his fae ally, his eyes briefly darted to her. Her question was understandable, though his response was what was confusing. He shook his head, making it clear Pherae itself wasn't his home. That begged the question of why? He knew it would follow, thus he promptly was prepared to answer.

"Pherae isn't my home, but it's part of the Lycian League, which my home is apart of," he briefly explained. There was much more to it, though he knew he couldn't afford to go into it all right now. It wouldn't change anything, though he figured he should offer his reason for being so driven to push forward without a second thought. "A friend of mine is the marquess of the area."

That seemed reason enough. The whole bit of his House being head of the League didn't need to be spoken of at this moment. The worries of him being nobility of great importance wasn't something he ever cared to bring to the forefront in these kinds of situations. It always drove others to try and get him to lay off which wasn't his style at all. Before he could even think to say anything further, the enemy was upon them, barring their entrance to the gate. To think they were so close yet would have to fight their way through.

"Looks like we have bigger problems right now."

Hector's words were blunt as he swung Armands with great force and slammed it into the nearest foe, not even giving them a chance to get the upper hand. He didn't have time for this. He needed to get through and he would! It didn't matter how many enemies he needed to slay in the process.

 

[ReaperMelia]

Azura / Triandra

Alfonse's assertion that he was fine lifted a massive weight off Azura's chest. She didn't want to even think about what would happen if their leader had been even injured, let alone something worse. Still, she had to stay focused. The enemy forces were barely being kept back, and even a tiny slip could put the two of them in danger. And of course, they still had to worry about Hector and Triandra... Azura quickly followed Alfonse, sticking close to his side with her lance poised to defend any blows. She may not have been much of a fighter, but she'd do whatever it took to keep him safe.

Of course, the prince didn't have any way to know what Embla was after. Azura still couldn't help but wonder what was going on. A part of her hoped he'd maybe be able to think of some possible reason... And the one he posed was a frightening idea. Roy had been a formidable ally, and of course, he knew about their strategies and secrets. While Azura knew there was no way he would willingly join these villains, she also knew they could be tricky. Maybe they'd convince him they were with Princess Veronica. Maybe they'd threaten his friends and world. Regardless, if they found a way to get him on their side, Askr would be in trouble.

But was Roy what they were really after? All of this fuss just to recruit one Hero seemed a bit much, even one as capable as Roy. Whatever their reasoning was, they had to be stopped. "Right. We need to stop them... For Roy's sake and our own." They'd just need to fight their way through the crowd first.

Unfortunately, an Emblan swordfighter seemed to take note of the two and got in position to block their path. Azura picked up her pace to move ahead of Alfonse. "I'll take care of this one. It shouldn't slow us down too much..." Maybe they'd be in trouble if it was a lance user, but Azura could at least knock this one aside long enough for the two to push ahead. Once she was in range, she thrust her lance at the warrior, knocking him back a bit. Without wasting a moment, Azura glided ahead and swung her lance, knocking the swordsman over with the same grace she'd display in a dance. He wasn't defeated, but he was at least off his feet. "Hurry, Prince Alfonse!" Azura raced ahead, taking advantage of her foe's state to make some distance. Hector and Triandra were becoming more difficult to make out in the distance...

Meanwhile, Triandra continued to flutter alongside Hector, keeping a close eye out for any foes who might try to stop their charge. The fairy was confused by Hector's response to her question; why the rush if he didn't live there? His explanation may have made sense to most others, but Triandra still took a moment to wrap her head around it. Friends weren't exactly a thing she had come to understand. In a way, she supposed it wasn't much different from how she viewed Plumeria. While no one was as important to Triandra as Lady Freyja, Plumeria was the only other person she felt she could truly trust. Perhaps friendship wasn't the right term; Plumeria was more like family. A sister, like the one Triandra had faint memories of from before she became a dökkálfr...

No. She couldn't drift off to those thoughts. This was a battle. She had asked her question and received her answer. Hector was acting to protect his friend who lived beyond the gate. While bonds may have been difficult for Triandra to navigate, she could at least understand the desire to protect one important to oneself. She gave a curt nod, not slowing down at all. "I see." Any further discussion on the matter would have to wait... especially since it seemed they had company.

Despite their haste, Embla had reached the gate before they could... And of course, that meant they were blocking the entrance. That would make any interference difficult while Embla could accomplish its goals with ease... whatever they were. It seemed like they wanted Hector's friend... While Triandra didn't have any real connections with anyone in the Order, she wanted to do her best to earn their trust. And besides, she could at least respect Hector's goal. Triandra prepared the flower of sorrow as she gazed at the blockade in front of the gate. "Let's make this quick, then."

Her words were ultimately unnecessary as Hector rushed into battle before she could even finish her short sentence. He really did have a one-track mind... Thankfully, he had the strength to back up his eagerness to fight. Triandra wasn't sure how she'd handle this with an ally who was just as reckless but not as capable... She instead turned her gaze to an armored soldier sticking close to the entrance. Thrusting her palm forward, the dökkálfr hurled her dark lances at the foe, piercing his armor and felling him quickly. Another one down... They just had to manage to keep up with the rest on their own or hope the prince and the songstress would catch up in time.

 

[Ploegy]

Ａｌｆｏｎｓｅ + Ｈｅｃｔｏｒ
───────────────────────────────────────────​

Alfonse knew his own assumption could be far from the truth, but it was all they had to go on at the moment. There was no way to know exactly what they were after in the World of Binding unless they go there first. Even if it wasn't Roy specifically, it was possible the young lord would know what they might be after. It made their goal clear; reaching Roy.

Nodding at Azura's words, the prince continued on pace with her, allowing her to take to the enemy which approached while he didn't slow in his pursuit of their allies. Besides, she swiftly took it down with little need for worry. Even for a songstress, she was a capable fighter; one he didn't need to worry himself over too much. He was thankful for that. The less he needed to worry about his immediate allies, the better, though he knew better than to get too comfortable. Things were always changing on a whim and complacency would only be his downfall if he let it in.

While their pursuit continued, up ahead, Hector was glad to see Triandra was quick to take to battle as he declared the issue at hand. While she hardly seemed like the type that wished to partake in such endeavors, at least she was willing to see them through in the moment. It made his job easier. Without thinking too much, he gripped the hilt of Armads tighter as he swung it towards his next opponent. The swordsmen thought he had found a blind spot, but Hector offered little opening. The sword clashed with the steel of his axe before the enemy jumped a little ways back with an annoyed grunt. It always was a surprise how alert a man like Hector was on the battlefield for how big he was. That was something he tried to use to his advantage as often as he could though. He refused to let others think he was some lumbering armored man who let the heavy metal he wore slow him down.

Making his next move, he charged forward, swiftly dispatching the swordsmen without hesitation before he glanced towards his fae-like companion. She seemed to be holding her own for the moment. There was no need for any kind of heroics, though admittedly, he wasn't a man who often did such. Sure, he liked to protect, but he no knight in shining armor just to be one. People had their own battles to win and strength of their own to prove. In battles like this, he had to believe others would do their part to do such things, as much as he might hate it. He could be a one man army, but even he had his limits and he knew it. Not every fight could be his.

In the brief moment of reprise, Alfonse and Azura finally caught up with the pair, the former slowing himself to look between his allies before his gaze flickered towards the gate that stood before them. On the other side he could see the fields of Pherae awaiting them. Soldiers lined it all the way up to the distant town that surrounded the castle. Some soldiers he could see bore Emblan colors while the others were more foreign to him, though he could assume they belonged to the Pheraen army and thus under lord Roy's command. The scene offered little insight into what could be going on, but it gave more reason for them to enter the gate and help defend its lands despite how wary Alfonse always had been to disrupt the happenings outside Askr's borders. While he was good hearted, the Order of Heroes couldn't jump into every dispute that arose and had to learn to let the heroes fight their own battles when necessary, but given this was an attack coming from their own world, he felt more obliged to aid.

"Hector, a moment," the prince finally spoke up as he looked towards his armored ally. He knew they needed to make haste, but still, he needed to speak to fill Hector in on the ordeal before he went crashing in believing he would be helping Eliwood. "This is not the gate of your time. This is lord Roy's world..."

"Does that change things? Mayhap it tells me I was hasty to assume it was the time of my good friend, but still, it is his home. If his son is fighting then I see no reason not to rush in to his aid. He is but a boy, even if he has proven capable."

Wise words coming from a man like Hector was not what Alfonse anticipated, but he could understand the intent behind them. Time didn't matter to Hector. This was still a version of the world he knew; one which his own child lived in, and even if he hadn't spoken of her, he knew that the thought of protecting Lilina lingered in his mind even if he wasn't the one directly related to her.

"Right, you speak the truth. We should press on. Our goal should be to find lord Roy and quell the fighting as much as we can," he said before he looked towards Triandra. "Might you fly over the battlefield and see if you can spot our ally among the soldiers? Assuming you don't recall Roy, he is a boy with vibrant red hair and dark blue dark, likely wielding a sword. Not the greatest description, but I doubt he would be hard to pick out."

 

[ReaperMelia]

Azura / Triandra

Azura let out a quiet sigh of relief as the four were finally reunited. Of course, their work still wasn't done yet. A quick glance at the Gate of Binding showed that they had failed to stop their foes in time. The Emblan army had already pushed through Askr's defenses and invaded Pherae, and she could only imagine how difficult it was for their allies to scramble to defend themselves when they had no way to know anyone would be coming through the gate. The gate didn't give a clear enough image to tell how the battle was going, but Azura knew they had to act fast to help.

Of course, she also knew better than to rush in headfirst. For starters, they still had to explain the situation to Hector. Thankfully, he paused to listen, and his level-headed response suggested he at least wasn't being completely reckless. Azura gave a quiet nod as a faint smile flickered across her normally still face. As hasty as the man could be, his heart was in the right place. He reminded the songstress of Corrin as well in this way.

Triandra, on the other hand, found herself a little confused. Her steely eyes studied Hector as she thought over his words. She could understand his haste if his friend was in danger, but this was his friend's son. Of course, it sounded like this Roy was a former member of the Order of Heroes, and Triandra also supposed she could understand the importance if there were family ties involved. Either way, it didn't really matter. Regardless of personal matters, the Order had a clear objective, and Triandra's duty was to assist them in completing it.

Her focus shifted to Alfonse as he made his request. Triandra gave him a quick nod. "I'll stick by him and make sure we're visible when you catch up." With that simple affirmation, her wings picked up their pace as she rose up into the air and sped through the gate. The fairy passed through effortlessly and appeared in the reflection of Pherae as she soared into the fray.

Azura took a moment to watch their mysterious ally charge off, but her thoughts quickly returned to the men in front of her. She looked at Hector first. "I understand your desire to help Roy. I want to make sure he's safe, too... But please, let us fight at your side. I know you're capable, but we'll be able to do more together. I'll gladly support you, but we need to stay close." Her face was as still as usual, but her voice carried a gentle, somewhat concerned tone. As strong as Hector was, all it would take was one mistake for a foe to get the upper hand and hurt him.

After speaking her mind on the matter, her gaze moved towards the gate. "Of course, we shouldn't leave Roy or Triandra waiting too long. It looks as though they'll need all the help they can get." Azura's grip on her lance tightened as she faced Alfonse. "I'm ready when you two are."

In Pherae, Triandra's wings fluttered as they carried her high up above the battlefield. The scene here looked almost as hectic as the invasion in Askr; Embla's forces were marching forward in an organized structure while the troops of Pherae scrambled to organize and defend their castle. While she couldn't make any specific details out, the town in the distance was dotted with soldiers clashing blades. It was clear that the civilians were in danger as well, and if Roy was anything like Alfonse and many of the other leaders within the Order, Triandra could assume he was helping defend others. With that in mind, she darted ahead towards the town.

The closer she drew to the town, the more apparent the nature of the battle became. The Emblan cavalry had marched up ahead and begun tearing its way through the town towards the castle. Thick smoke from singed guardposts that had presumably been targeted by mages rose up into the air, creating a dark haze around the entrance to the city. Triandra soared over the smoke and studied the town from above, though the chaos of the sudden strike made it difficult to focus on any one place. Overturned carts and rubble littered the streets, and groups of civilians were still being escorted to shelter by town guards. The soldiers of Pherae were making a desperate move to push their foes back, though their numbers were clearly spread thin.

After a few more moments of scanning the battlefield, Triandra noticed a young man with red hair engaged in battle with Emblan troops. While he had a few allies with him, it certainly wouldn't hurt to have more help, and he seemed to be the man she was searching for anyway. She swooped down to approach him while taking note of his foes. An armored soldier swung a lance back to jab at the red-haired boy, but before she could make her move, Triandra summoned another dark lance and sent it hurtling towards her. The lance pierced the Emblan's armor, and her lance clattered to the ground before she collapsed. With her foe defeated, the dökkálfr hurried towards the ground to meet the boy. She rose her hands above her head as she touched down in an attempted peaceful gesture. "Alfonse of Askr sent me ahead to find someone named Roy. Would that happen to be you?"

 

[Ploegy]

Ａｌｆｏｎｓｅ + Ｈｅｃｔｏｒ + Ｒｏｙ
───────────────────────────────────────────​

Hector could understand what Azura was saying to him yet he hated to admit that he was in the wrong in their current situation. Sure, he may be bullheaded and reckless, and it might cause trouble but it didn’t mean he necessarily needed others to help him see things through. As much as he wanted to blurt such words out, he held back because deep down, he knew she was right and even if he were to disagree, Alfonse would likely take her side. This was his army after all and if it was how the prince wished to proceed then so be it. There was no point in arguing it.

“Very well. I will fight by your sides,” Hector conceded as he tightened his grip on his axe and looked out at the scene before them. "Let us not waste time then."

Alfonse gave a curt nod of his head at the other man's words and his eyes immediately followed his companion's as he scanned the sea of clashing soldiers. It was difficult to tell which side had the upper hand in it all, but given preparation hadn't been in Roy's favor, he had his doubts that it wasn't their ally that had the stronghold. They had to hurry if they wished to turn things around, and hopefully with Triandra off trying to find the young lord, they would be able to assure he had help. It was wishful thinking, and Alfonse knew that, but it was all he could hold onto. Sometimes luck was a major factor and now as one of those times.

"Let us push forward then. If we are in luck, Triandra has found Roy and we can assess the situation better from there," he finally said as he pushed himself forward, knowing what would come next for them. There was no avoiding the battle that was to be had.

Seeing the prince's advances, Hector spared no time to follow suit. Even if they didn't catch up to Triandra, they could still help in their own way. He knew in the long run, no matter what they did would help out in some manner. The less pressure that was put on the Pheraen army, the better in his eyes. They may be a measly unit of three in the current moment, but given their skills, he was sure they could make up for a much bigger portion than one might think.

Diving right into combat, both Hector and Alfonse took no time to lock an opponent in. It was the only way forward and despite no direct command to engage, Alfonse was sure Azura would understand. While she wasn't much of a fighter, she was still smart and could pick up on things rather quickly. It was something he found beneficial in her, especially alongside her songstress capabilities. He couldn't ever explain why it motivated other, but it did, and for that he could be thankful. He could motivate troops himself, but it was nowhere in a similar vein to her. Even he found himself inspired when he heard her melodies. Hopefully in this moment it would help the struggling troops as well and encourage them to keep up their fight now that new allies had joined their numbers to help them.

While the three jumped into the fray, near the backlines, Roy was holding his own ground, defending the very walls of his home with everything he had. He would have loved to take to the front lines, but with unknown dangers around him, he knew better than to put himself in unfavorable situations unless it was absolutely necessary. Besides, Marcus had taken Lance and Alen to the front lines to hold it. If he couldn't put trust in his own allies then what kind of leader was he?

His temporary mental distraction nearly caused him issues though much to his surprise a spear of dark magic came hurdling towards the armored soldier which had approached. Watching the enemy fall to the ground, Roy's blue eyes flickered towards the woman the magic had come from. She wasn't familiar to him and from her appearance, he knew she wasn't of his homeland, but that was no reason for him to judge her. Before he could ask any questions of his own, she spoke, and in response he nodded his head. To hear she had come on behalf of Alfonse was a relief. It seemed backup would be coming.

"I thank you for coming to our aid. If the Order of Heroes is here, then we should have no problems driving the enemy back," he replied, holding back his thanks for the time being, even though he knew it would be needed. It could wait for the time being when they were out of battle. "My troops have moved most the civilians back to the safety of our castle, though it doesn't seem as if the enemy is seeking entrance into the city. They've mostly stayed in the outskirts. I haven't ascertained who their commander might be, nor have I heard word from any of my frontline troops of someone fitting such a position. Does the Order have any clue, if you have the kind of information?"

 

[ReaperMelia]

Azura / Triandra
Azura gave her armored comrade a nod and a faint smile as he agreed to her request. As insurmountable as the odds may have seemed, she believed the three of them could fend for themselves as long as they were working together. Between Alfonse's wit and Hector's might, they could find their way to Roy and help protect his kingdom. Of course, they'd also need to figure out how to organize the two disjointed armies to repel the Emblan forces... but getting their two leaders to meet would be the first step in successfully quelling the threat. Azura just had to ensure Alfonse arrived safely.

On Alfonse's order, Azura hurried into the gate with her allies. It took no time at all for the trio to encounter a group of Emblan soldiers. With Hector and Alfonse leading the charge, Azura kept close as she began singing another melody. Her voice bubbled up over the clamor of the battlefield, doing its best to help push her friends forward in their respective battles. Of course, if it helped inspire any of the Pheraens, that would be a welcome bonus. While they didn't have much time to take in their surroundings, Roy's army seemed to be just as shocked by the sudden ambush as the Order of Heroes had been. Azura may have not been able to reach out to everyone, but every soldier she supported only helped their cause.

Her eyes darted off to her right as she noticed an Emblan axe-wielder lumbering towards her. The man gripped his weapon with both hands and hoisted it overhead as he approached the songstress. With Alfonse and Hector both busy, she braced herself for her foe's arrival. She was sure that she was quick enough to dodge his blows... Or she at least knew she'd have to be. Otherwise, she'd be in real danger.

The Emblan troop smashed down at Azura with his axe, pouring all of his weight into the attack. Azura barely managed to leap back from the attack, and she jabbed at him with her lance once her feet touched back down on the ground. He stepped back and yelped in pain, though it didn't seem to do much to slow his advance. Azura could duck and zip around his attacks all she liked, but she didn't have the strength to take down such a foe quickly. Azura sidestepped a lunge from the man as she risked a quick glance at her allies. She noticed an Emblan myrmidon was approaching Hector. While she trusted him to be able to handle his own against such a foe, she recognized things might be a bit easier on both of them if they traded off. "Hector, would you mind trading places with me? I think that would be best for both of us." She poked at her own foe again to try to keep some distance between them, though she knew he'd come charging again in a moment.

While the trio of foot soldiers began pushing their way towards the town, Triandra listened to Roy's report. Conversation admittedly wasn't her strong suit, even with Plumeria and Lady Freyja. She could at least listen to the information he provided, though it simply brought new questions to the forefront: What was Embla really after? Targeting Roy's army seemed like the easy guess, but if they weren't going into the city, it sounded like there was some other purpose. Maybe this was a diversion like their advance on the Askran castle? Perhaps it would be best to leave the strategizing and pondering to Alfonse and Roy. Triandra was simply here to prove her loyalty and follow their orders, after all, and she had questions to answer for Roy.

"They seem to be Emblan troops, but we don't know who their commander is. They ambushed the Order of Heroes with little warning and distracted our main forces while they moved towards the gate of Binding. The truce between Askr and Embla has held strong, but maybe Princess Veronica was simply biding her time to attack." The fairy knew that Alfonse and Sharena would never suspect Veronica of being behind the assault, but Triandra knew better than to blindly trust the girl--or anyone who wasn't Plumeria or Freyja, for that matter. The world was cruel, and people often masked their ill intentions behind a friendly face. That was what she had come to believe, at least. She knew many in the Order didn't trust her, after all, and that was the smart move on their part. Triandra would do her best to ease their fears, but there was no changing the fact that she had once fought the Order.

She directed her attention back to Roy. "Prince Alfonse and a few of our other allies should be making their way here now. I'll need to give them a signal so they can know that I found you and they can make their way here. It will probably be some time before they make it to the city, so if you need my assistance, let me know. When you're ready, I can use my magic to give them a sign of where to look for us."

 

[Ploegy]

Ａｌｆｏｎｓｅ + Ｈｅｃｔｏｒ + Ｒｏｙ
───────────────────────────────────────────​

Dispatching a lancer with ease, Hector heard Azura's voice call out to him. Her question wouldn't fall on deaf ears. Even as stubborn as he could be, he knew he couldn't ignore a request like the one she made of him. Giving a nod of his head, he heaved his axe up and moved in one swift movement, he moved to clash with the oncoming axe-wielder. Armads took the blow with ease, locking the oncoming weapon in a momentarily struggle of might before Hector put all his strength into the attack and knocked the other soldier back, assuring Azura's safety and giving her a chance to slip off to engage with the oncoming myrmidon instead.

As his two allies sorted out their own situation, Alfonse could only spare a glance at what they were doing before a blast of fiery magic came his way. Narrowly dodging, he huffed softly while his eyes quickly scanned for his attacker and after a moment, his gaze settled upon a mage in the near distance. Without any hint of hesitation, he darted forward with a burst of speed knowing he needed to be fast if he wanted to avoid another oncoming attack. Speed hadn't always been one of his fortes yet he made use of what he had in the moment. Seeing the mage prepping another attack, he acted quickly and swung his blade, taking his opponent by surprise and causing them to panic. Their attack flew straight past Alfonse as a result and with ease he dispatched them.

With his own threat out of the way, he glanced back over his shoulder just in time to see Hector take down the axe-wielder he had been engaged with. Things were going smoothly. That was all he could ask for as a leader, though he knew there would be some causalities whether he liked it or not. He couldn't let himself get hung up on that right now though. They had to keep pushing forward until they found Triandra, and hopefully Roy as well.

"Let us keep pushing ahead. We will continue to provide aid to the Pheraen army as we move on. It is the least we can do for Roy until we know where he is," Alfonse instructed as he turned on his heels and pushed himself forward towards the distant town that laid ahead. With the castle looming over it, he could only assume that was the most likely area their target would be, and if not, then he could only hope Triandra would give them a sign otherwise.

Meanwhile, Roy listened to Triandra speak of the situation and his head dipped low as blue orbs briefly fixated on the ground. Her report hardly made sense to him when paired with his own information. What was the purpose of this attack? Perhaps it had never been meant for his own army, though given the gates proximity to his own home, he could only assume there wasn't much option but to move through the territory. Still, it left the question of why. What was Embla after? While the fae offered her own thoughts, it made him ponder if that truly was the reason. It was plausible. He couldn't deny it, yet he felt there was something they were missing.

"Whatever their reason might be, we can figure it out once we are free of the threat," he finally spoke as he lifted his head once again and looked towards Triandra once more. He knew he could easily get lost in his own thoughts if he left himself, but now wasn't the time for such things. His focus was needed, though admittedly it was comforting to know Prince Alfonse was among those that had come to his aid, and that he had already made his way into the gate to aid them. Hopefully this wasn't some ploy to drag the other out and put his own kingdom in danger. While he trusted the prince not to fall for such easy traps, there was no telling if that truly was the intent until they could find time to talk. For now, he needed to push the thoughts aside and focus. "Do what you must to signal them to us. I will hold the line until then. My troops should be able to hold out despite being on the back foot in this fight."

Roy could only hope that assurance was enough for the moment. He couldn't tell if the fae truly had such concerns, but it was better to wipe any of them out now than let them linger. Besides, he figured it would only be a moment or so before she would return. A signal wouldn't take too long and it wasn't as if he hadn't already been fighting. He knew the stakes. If anyone broke the line then the civilians would be in danger and he could not allow for that.

 

[ReaperMelia]

Azura / Triandra
Thankfully for the dancer, Hector was quick to listen and respond. He charged at the axe-wielder, freeing Azura up to target the foe who would be a better fit for her skillset. She gave her ally a nod in return and strode towards the myrmidon. Her foe seemed to slow down and take a moment to think over the change in his opponent, though he continued marching forward towards the songstress either way. While Azura still had the advantage in terms of her weapon's reach, she knew that she also wasn't as imposing as the armor-clad Hector. Of course, she also had the agility to make up for it. She kept her gaze fixed on her foe, not faltering for even a step as she approached him.

The myrmidon closed in, carefully eyeing Azura's lance as he approached. Azura lunged forward, stabbing at him, but he managed to sidestep the attack. A confident smirk spread across his face as he slashed his sword at the songstress, but Azura was able to dodge to the side of his attack as well. She followed up by swinging her lance at him, knocking him off balance and onto the ground. One final swipe was enough to take down the haughty myrmidon, and with that, the trio was clear to move forward again.

Alfonse noticed this as well and was quick to give their next orders. Like usual, even with a primary goal in sight, Alfonse wanted to do all he could to help their allies. That drive was what made her know she made the right choice in joining the Order of Heroes, and she was just as eager to help the Pheraen forces. She glanced between Hector and Alfonse to make sure they were both holding up well after their fights. "Of course. Just let us know when you want us to slow down to help his soldiers." After giving her affirmation, Azura sprinted ahead after the prince, silently hoping everything was going well for Triandra and Roy.

While her allies continued their march to the castle, Triandra paid close attention to Roy's face as he pondered her report. It seemed that Askr's intel didn't point to anything Roy could cling to as a potential reason for the attack, either. Of course, there would be time to figure that out later. What mattered now was driving them back, and Triandra knew she could manage their troops at least. Roy seemed equally confident in his own army, though things were looking a bit dire in the fairy's eyes.

With Roy's approval, Triandra gave a quiet nod before her wings fluttered and propelled her up into the sky once again. The wind blew past her face as she soared up above the city, taking a quick glance within its walls before looking out. It was a little difficult to believe Roy's statement that his army could hold out seeing the wreckage from above, but as long as Askr could catch up, maybe they could help turn the tides.

Once she had risen high enough, she held a palm above her head. The Flower of Sorrow rested just above it, and she concentrated her energy on it to conjure forth a cascade of dark lances. They shot further up into the sky, twirling in a formation similar to a thorny vine. It took quite a bit of energy to summon the display, but she needed something big and flashy to draw the attention of Alfonse. After a few moments, they dissipated, leaving a faint dark miasma lingering in the sky above Roy's position. With that finished, Triandra took a deep breath before flying back down to the ground. Once her feet touched down, her eyes turned to Roy. "They'll be able to find us now. Until they do, we should stay here and stop any soldiers who pass through." Her voice was cold, and while her eyes looked a bit distant--almost as if they were focused on something beyond this fight--she stood alert and ready for combat.

 

[Ploegy]

Ａｌｆｏｎｓｅ + Ｈｅｃｔｏｒ + Ｒｏｙ
───────────────────────────────────────────​

Hector nodded towards Alfonse's instruction and looked off into the battlefield that laid out before them. Even from a simple glance, he knew it would be impossible to find anything among the clashing of weaponry, yet he held out hope for some glimpse of their destination. Alfonse seemed to be of the same mindset even if he didn't show it as openly as Hector did. His eyes were less scanning for their destination and more areas in which would need their aid. The more the could help Roy's army the better.

Before he could assess the situation though, the cascade of dark magic lit up the sky in the distance and Alfonse's attention was immediately pulled in. There was no mistaking what it was; it was a sign from Triandra. Her magic was one that was hard to overlook when compared to others, even though who dipped into the darker arts. It made it easy to track her and for that, he was grateful.

Quickly, he turned his attention back to his two allies and gestured them forward with his sword gripped tightly in hand. "That seems to be our sign. Let us reconvene with Triandra. Hopefully she has found Lord Roy for us."

Hector was quick to agree. There was no time to argue. Following orders was better than not and it would make their work easier. The faster the got to Roy, the better off they would be and he could not deny that. The young Lord would know things better than any of them would even if he might not have the direct answer to what was happening. With that in mind, the group began to move again, their destination set. Alfonse led the way, weaving his way through the soldiers that surrounded them while occasionally taking a moment to let his own blade clash with another weapon and swiftly take down anyone who dared to step in the way. Hector was quick to join him as well to assure things went smoothly.

Roy watched as Triandra returned from her signal and he tilted his head. He had seen plenty of magicks in his life, but this was unlike any that he could recall. If battle hadn't been happening around them, he might have gawked and asked questions, but he kept himself composed. Instead, he listened to the fae's words and gave a small nod of his head in response.

"It would be hard to miss such a display. Let us hope the enemy does not pick up on what it means and come this way as well," he briefly mused as he crossed his hands over hid chest in thought. It would be bad if the enemy was drawn to him, especially if he was their target, though if that was the case, they were doing a poor job of finding him. Even so, he couldn't brush the thought off and it made him ponder the scenario, though such things would not last long. As he had dreaded, such a display drew the enemy towards them, albeit ones that were already close. However, none of them seemed to make note of who exactly he was. To them he was merely another soldier on the field; not the commanding officer. "Prepare for battle!"

It was a simple command, but one made with urgency as he was forced to meet their attackers head on without further chance to formulate any kind of plan of attack. The Binding Blade clashed with the oncoming sword of the swordmaster that confronted him and he grunted softly, letting his fingers curl tighter around its hilt in order to hold back the weight of his attacker.

As if on cue, Hector can bursting through the mob, colliding with the archers which stood guard in the back, taking them by surprise and ceasing any fire they might have rained down upon the likes of Roy and Triandra. Alfonse was quick to follow up the attack, allowing his shield to parry back an oncoming lance before he moved to close the distance between him and its wielder.

"Triandra! Lord Roy!" he exclaimed, a brief greeting, though one that would make his presence instantly known to them and assure them this battle was tipped in their favor before it had even truly started. "Good to see both of you!"

"Less talk, Prince, more fight!" Hector called out with a hearty laugh and smug smile.

Alfonse huffed softly at the man's words, but shook them off quickly, knowing he meant well and to some extent he was right. He couldn't let himself get pulled into conversation amidst the fight. They needed to focus! Talking come come after!