Pherae's Flame

「⚜」- Wolt remembered those days of childhood swordplay. Simpler times when he didnt have to worry about social status or war. Times have changed since. When he had attempted to pick up the art of the swordsman, it immediately went down the drain as he realized that he wasn’t fit for such a weapon. In the end, the archer had ended up with his bow, as he found it much for comfortable to use. 

Being asked if he could fight alongside his friend, he would like to say yes, but it seemed like the archer was hesitating. It has been years since Wolt last gripped a sword. If it weren’t for the fact that he wasn’t that skilled with a sword, the two could already be in the arena.

Scratching the back of his head, he stopped to think for a moment before making a decision. Did he want to fight with Roy? Of course! Was he good with a sword? Well… he’s mediocre at best so it didn’t exactly guarantee he would come out of the match unscathed. 

“ … You are correct, swords are not exactly the kind of weapon I would use. Not that I was ever bad at using them, I was never comfortable with them. Nonetheless, I will accompany you in this match, Roy “

Of course, Wolt’s response was expected. That was the beauty of childhood friendship. Roy knew his friend more than anyone, even when the other tried to create a distance between them. That friend of his hasn’t changed at all since the war, and the thought of it irritated him. But now wasn’t the time to scold Wolt over formalities and distances -- they needed to head to the arena already.

Roy was given permission to use the steel sword at his waist, a perfect solution for him. He didn’t want to use the Sword of Seals, which was still covered and tightened up nicely around his back. Such a sacred item wasn’t needed for occasions like these, and he could only wonder about a time he would need to wield the legendary blade once more. Another steel sword was handed over, clearing the boy's thoughts. He made sure to give the man in charge his thanks before walking to his partner's side.

❝Don’t worry,❞ he said with a sudden smile as he gave the second weapon to Wolt, ❝I’ll aid you... But I want you at my side, okay?❞

{∆} I might have time and inspiration to get to my replies in the weekend.

I owe replies to @archerofpherae, @icedragonxdancer, @legendarymasterthief and @troubledwarriorofpherae. I haven't forgotten about you guys, but I will try my best to work on our threads soon.

「⚜」- Man, he still has to convince Roy to come back to the castle, it was his duty to do so. Then again, this is Roy we’re talking about here. His milk-brother. He can’t go against his childhood friend. Well… perhaps he could just tell him he has to come back and if he declines, the other plan Wolt had in mind is to follow him until he gives in. 

“ Very well. Also if you didn’t know, I came here for a reason. I am being ordered to bring you back to Castle Pherae on the behalf of Lilina. Your father is also starting to worry about you as well, so I got a search team to look for you. I hope you understand, Roy. “

With that, the archer proceeds to follow the other as they entered the arena. He was well aware that his friend was able to fend for himself, but he knew that there was always a risk in these kinds of activities. If Roy were to be harmed, Lord Eliwood and Lilina wouldn’t be too happy to hear that.

Although there was a small distance between them as he headed for the arena, Roy heard every word and he wasn’t exactly surprised -- not one bit. He clearly remembered sending a letter some time ago, but the knightly archer was probably not around to be informed of the redhead’s whereabouts. The young lord could only hope that the letter came to Lycia safely and that his father and Lilina would be at ease for the meantime. Even so, he made plans to send another letter, especially with Wolt’s appearance. He could let them know of the archer’s safety.

He didn’t have time to respond to his friend’s message, but he knew he would explain everything afterwards. He was sure of it. For now, he spoke to the man in charge of payment for the arena battles, only to discover that there was a special event today. On this day, fighters must fight in pairs, but they could only fight with swords for fair play.

The youth turned to his companion, hoping he had heard the explanation of the new event. He looked a little worried though, not wanting to put his friend through something that might end up to be quite dangerous.

❝I require your assistance after all,❞ he declared with a sigh, ❝but I know swords were never your forte...❞

“S-Sorry… But I’m okay, thanks to you…” Ninian said as she stood up. But the more that she looked at this boy, he seemed…familiar…until something hit her, her red eyes full of surprise.

He was almost an exact image of Lord Eliwood. Was this who she thought it was?

Roy couldn’t figure out why the girl was looking at him with such wide eyes. Did he do something wrong? Did he somehow touched her inappropriately? He immediately let go, hoping to ease the trouble somehow. As he looked at her, he felt a sense of familiarity, but he couldn’t pinpoint the reason for such a feeling. He frowned at her, seemingly a bit worried, not realising they were still in a crowded place.

Absolutely unbelievable. If anyone here had the right to be agitated by the other’s sight, it was Cath! After all, if it weren’t for him, she’d never have been found out in the first place! And she wouldn’t have so painfully fallen on her behind either. Really, it was all his fault, simply for startling her with his presence. Geez, nobles. Always making it seem like they were the victims.

“Ngh… damnit…” More disgruntled mumbling followed as the thief got back on her feet, decidedly not accepting Roy’s help for that purpose. And right on time the ship’s captain along with a bunch of his crew members arrived to behold the situation. There were at least five of them by now… impossible to take on in a fight. Great. Swimming back to the shore hadn’t been exactly part of her plans for the day. Thanks a lot, Roy.

“Well well, what do we have here?” - “It’s likely a stowaway, captain!” - “Aye, I can see that, dim-witted fool! - Girl, you’re in big trouble now.”

Thanks for pointing that out. She had not yet been aware of this fact.

“Who do you think you are, sneaking on my ship like a rat? You think you can just skip out on the payment and still enjoy the ride like everyone else?!”

Yes, that had been the plan.

“Captain, let’s throw her into the sea!” - “Yeah, overboard with her!” - “Walk the plank! Walk the plank!”

Goodness, these sailors were obnoxious. At this rate Cath might just volunteer to take a dive if only to escape their ‘cheering’. Considering how far out they likely already were though… she might just end up drowning rather than ever setting a foot on dry land again. No, she needed an excuse to be here, and quick. Crap, crap, crap–

“I can explain!” No, she absolutely couldn’t. “I-I’m not here because I want to be, you know! It’s because of…. him.” And she pointed right at Roy. “I-it’s his fault! For leaving me all alone and just going on this trip without me!” This ‘excuse’ was getting more terrible with every word, but there no way back now. To make the performance complete, Cath swiftly slipped to the redhead’s side, and clung to his arm as if they were very well acquainted. “I’m his girlfriend!” Congratulations, this was a new all time low in her life.

Girlfriend...? Roy was taken aback by this sudden resolution and because of his surprise, he couldn't remove the thief away from his arm. Before this he was already coming up with a plan to keep his new companion here, but since the situation took another turn, he'd had to reconsider his plan now. If they have gone his way, it would've been easy for his part, in which he planned to explain the situation and give the captain more gold, in case Cath sneaked her way into the ship.

... Which is probably the case after all, knowing her. Ah, he’d scold her for that later, but now he’d have to settle the current situation he was forced into.

He wasn’t a person who was fond of lies, especially when he was lured into them, so he considered his choices quickly. If he’d go along with the current route, it would probably help them go through their problem quicker, even if it could make the redhead seem like a terrible boyfriend. However, from then on forward he would probably have to make effort to appear as a romantic partner -- to prove to the sailors and captain that they were indeed a couple setting out on a journey together. He understood the thief’s position and knew she would feel uncomfortable in a situation like that. After all, their relationship wasn't that of love, but of comrades, even if Cath showed annonyance towards the young lord.

So Roy thought of his other option, to tell the truth -- to expose Cath as a friend only, but this choice could venture into another consequence, especially risking his companion more than himself. Though no matter what happens after this, he will do his best to keep her on the ship.

Tagged by  @legendarymasterthief (im gonna kick their butt)

Spell your name in songs

P - Proof of a Hero - Monster Hunter R - Raphael - Drakengard 3 I - Invisible Sorrow - Castlevania 64 N - Nemea Theme - Warriors Orochi 3 C - City of Commerce - Nier Gestalt & Replicant E - Engage the Enemy - Xenoblade Chronicles

im sorry im such a video game music nerd

Whats your middle name?

I don’t have one.

If you could be any mythical creature, what would you be?

Quetzalcoatl

Favorite colors?

I don’t have one. If I do, it tends to change a lot.

Song you like now?

Arena Theme - Monster Hunter X

Top 4 fandoms

I’m not really a fandom person, as in not really part of a fandom, so none.

「⚜」- Drop the formality? There’s no way he could do that, he would be breaking the the code he had sworn by when he was knighted! What’s even worse is that there are soldiers around here, searching for Roy. Well… he could drop his act for now, as nobody can really suspect Wolt being a knight of House Pherae. Alright, he’ll do it just for Roy.

“ Alright… Roy. “ That name by itself felt so foreign to Wolt, but he knows he has to keep it for now. “ The colosseum? Are you trying to earn money though fighting? “

It may be risky to be fighting in the colosseum, but money is money. You need it to survive, and many are willing to put their lives on the line just for a shelter and food. When Wolt was asked to join his friend, the nods in response. Anything for his lord.

“ Of course. Do you want me to fight with you? “

Well, he certainly swayed him easily. If not, he would probably scold him until changes were made. The archer’s heart was in the right place, but Roy wanted him to be his friend as well. Being addressed with such formality was only creating a distance in their friendship, and the young lord couldn’t force his feelings to change as well. He wanted what he had in his childhood days -- he wanted Wolt to be his friend before he was his knight.

❝There’s no need,❞ he told him, setting aside his thoughts as he began walking the path to the colosseum, ❝I’ll be able to earn enough gold on my own, but I wanted your company.❞