#nohriantomatoes

Right now, he’s currently in the middle of escaping some—ugh, he doesn’t know, self-proclaimed death cult—with none other than Prince Takumi of Hoshido. Whoever these lowlifes are who caught Leo off guard, they seemed intent on gathering different kinds of dragon blood—which means Leo needs to deal with both the consequence of their horrendous treatment of prisoners, and this moody enemy prince.

They’re quite close to getting out of their containment, actually. Which isn’t remarkable, this pathetic cult is ragtag and ill-managed. They happened to get lucky in Leo’s capture, and he’ll admit that Prince Takumi is just formidable enough that maybe they got lucky twice, and they’re paying for their lack of preparedness.

All that’s left is for Leo and Takumi to clear one hallway, then they can make a generally clean break for an exit. They’re just… Stuck, presently. The cultist’s tactics for keeping them from moving forward are working, and it’s only a matter of time before someone rounds the establishment and comes at them from behind.

It isn’t a particularly complicated hideout, a crumbling cobblestone fort that’s been out of proper use for decades, and Leo was able to retrieve Brynhildr without much trouble as they ran. Prince Takumi got his bow as well, and they’ve each been handling themselves fine. It’s just this awkward position they’re in now that’s giving them trouble.

The best they can do is pick off the poor excuses for cultists one by one. But it’s hard to do that when they’re firing back. They’re able to get a few of them, sure, but—

“This isn’t working,” Takumi grumbles through his teeth, firing an arrow and then slamming himself behind the wall as a burst of magic flies by. Leo, on the other side of the hallway entrance, scoffs.

“Clearly.” He exhales sharply, then casts a sharp and leafy spell down the hall, and assumes the cut off screams are targets hit. “Focus on the short ranged ones for now.”

Though Leo is feeling the effects of all his magic usage already. Sweat beads his forehead and goosebumps tickle his neck. He can feel his blood getting hotter, too. Forcing out more magic than he has to provide will make his very pores bleed, and fainting from blood loss would be the most intolerable way to lose. Especially around these cultists, who seem intent on using his flesh for the worst.

Takumi charges his arrow in his bow, magic swirling more intently the longer he holds it, then sets it loose. “And then what do we do about the far ranged ones, wise guy?”

Leo clicks his tongue. “I said for now, you fool.” Which earns him a glare. “We’ll retreat and make another way around.”

“Retreat where? Our cell? No way,” Takumi says back. He glances behind himself, then behind Leo, and then fires two rapid shots into the hall. Not even a moment later, he seizes an inhale through his teeth and narrowly avoids a dagger. “Gods. Long range against long range is so damn risky.”

Leo tries to prepare himself for another large spell. He isn’t sure how many more he can cast after this. One, maybe two, at least of the ones with the potency he’s been using. But he’s quickly reaching his limit. “Indeed,” he says, irritated. “But you are a bowsman and I am a mage, so unless you have any better ideas, retreating is our best bet.”

Takumi narrows his eyes, breathing hard. “Don’t act like you know me.”

“Am I acting like I know you by observing you’re using a bow? Primarily, even? And have been all this time?”

“How are you this annoying.”

Leo huffs. “I’m not sure your mumbling has been doing us any favors, either.”

Takumi glances towards the hallway. Then he rolls back his shoulders and exhales a steadying breath. “Hey. Do your big plant spell thing.” Leo nearly corrects his wording to anything but that, but Takumi goes on. “I’m going in right after.”

“Insanity. That spell won’t last long enough to be used as cover,” Leo says. “We’re better off retracing our steps—”

“Just do it! Do you complain about everything?” Takumi snaps, which is ironic, since he’s obviously been the stubborn one. Takumi narrows his eyes. “I can do close range, and I can do it well. You just need to watch my back, Nohrian.”

Leo gives him a look, quite unconvinced. But retreating will only work if they both do, and Leo has been getting ready to cast all this time. They won’t get anywhere if he tries to stall and leave it only to Takumi’s bow, and he won’t be branded as a coward who runs away alone. Especially not by this prince, of all people.

So, not approving of the plan but without another spell to perform, Leo lets magic drip out of him and into his tome, then lets it come back into his veins deeper, in vines and bark and poison.

He casts his forest of magic into the hallway, and Takumi bolts after, staying just far enough to keep from friendly fire. Leo watches, seeing some enemies turn to Takumi, and he uses smaller and more electric spells to keep them occupied.

Leo was quite uncomforted by Takumi’s confidence, but he’s surprised to say he does what he said he would. He keeps his bow in hand, but he doesn’t battle with it except for quick draws and finishing blows. He dodges, and fights by jabbing his elbow or throwing a punch against unprepared archers and magicians. Once he properly enters the fray, Leo doesn’t need to do much to keep him healthy.

It’s both relieving and concerning, in truth. Leo fully appreciates the certainty of getting out of this fortress, he admits retreating was a last resort, but—he didn’t anticipate Takumi might’ve had other skills, not to this degree. He’ll have to consider him wisely the next they meet on a battlefield.

Takumi finally clears the area. Leo doesn’t wait for a signal, he just runs up, fully aware they don’t have the time to waste. They proceed through the fortress wordlessly, steeping over bodies and extremely close to their freedom.

They’re right near the front gate when they hear talking. Instantly, they freeze and hold their breath, backs pressed a wall. There are people just on the other side of the gate, and Leo tries to listen.

“—on, man, just a tour? You guys—you guys do tours here, right? It’s totally tour worthy,” comes a voice clearly trying to sound more laid back than he is. Leo blinks, a little surprised at the subject matter.

“I do all sorts of tours, if you’re interested,” suggests another—was that Niles? Leo listens a little more intently.

“Wait—wait what’s that mean,” says the first voice, and then a female one sighs.

“Neither of you are helping,” she says sharply, as if smiling through annoyance, then speaks more sweetly. “We really just want to look around? We’re not looking to cause any trouble. It’s just, a really, really important thing we’re looking for—”

And who is unmistakably Odin chimes in excitedly, “Of extreme importance! Epic, and maximal, and most certainly heinous if not brought back into our fell, empty, and capable hands.”

Leo thinks if you could hear a cringe, he would’ve heard one from this woman. “Right. All that. Super important. So please?”

In a low voice, Takumi starts to speak, leaning just slightly closer to Leo. “I think it might be my retainers out there,” he says slowly, and Leo raises an eyebrow.

“Funny. I was thinking they sounded like mine, as well.”

Takumi glances at him, then glances at the gate. “Should we just make a run for it?”

Leo considers that for a moment. “I’m sure they’ll know what to do.”

And so, after one more brief and mutual look, Takumi and Leo both burst out of the gate and start running. And Leo was quite correct in identifying Odin and Niles, the former looking shocked and the latter looking highly amused.

“Never mind!” says Takumi’s male retainer, and among some shouts from the guards, the six of them charge away. Odin casts a spell behind them to keep any stray cultists off their backs, and Takumi fires a couple more arrows, seemingly for good riddance.

They find cover in a forest nearby, treading deeply until they’re sure they can take a moment to breathe. Takumi’s retainers start fawning over him immediately, and Niles and Odin give Leo some attention as well. He waves them off.

“I’m fine,” he says, wiping off sticky sweat from his brow. “Just more winded than I’d like to be.” He’ll need some time to recharge. Neither Odin nor Niles look convinced, but Leo isn’t going to be revealing any weakness in front of Hoshidans.

After collecting himself a bit more, Leo looks over at Prince Takumi, who’s smile from his talking with his retainers falls as he meets his eyes. Takumi pauses, then puffs out his chest and grips his bow tightly.

“Next time—we’re enemies,” he says. His retainers stare at him, then give their own unique glares to Leo. Takumi ignores them, gritting his teeth and wrinkling his nose. “For now… Thanks. I guess.”

Leo lifts up his chin, standing tall. “We’re still enemies,” he corrects. And then, with his head held high, he casts his gaze away. “But... Thank you, too.”

He doesn’t care for Niles’s eyebrow raise, nor for Odin’s head tilt. Leo just turns around and walks, and the pair of them follow readily, away from the cult idiots and the Hoshidan prince.

And Leo—he doesn’t look back. Of course he wouldn’t. He meant what he said, this war is nowhere near over. One little collaboration doesn’t change that, and obviously they’re agreed in that regard.

But, still. Even if Leo doesn’t check behind him… Some part of him wonders if Takumi does.