This story is something I've been considering for a while now. I know that many of my readers have been asking for another Fire Emblem story, too. I hope you enjoy my offering. Please feel free let me know what you think. I value all feedback that my readers give.

Just a heads up to avoid any difficulty – italics represent a character's internal thoughts.

One of my goals in this story is to give Charlotte stronger character development, and I've also made it my mission to try and create a worthwhile original character. I'm tired of seeing time travel and self inserts – it's about time we had a character that fits the Fire Emblem universe.

Promise

War – its thunderous quake held the power to shake the very world to its core. In the wake of conflict between two warring kingdoms - Nohr and Hoshido, the common people suffered and died. While one ruler, Prince Ryoma, wanted nothing more than to end the bloodshed, the other, King Garon, desired to sow destruction in his bid for brutal conquest.

Flames licked across towering concrete abodes – while little wooden homes and shantytowns collapsed to the ground. Metallic boots thumped through the streets on the march – as spear and sword alike tore through the innocent. Occupation, capture – there were many words to describe this heinous act, but none came closer than butchery. Crimson lifeblood oozed through the streets – filling the gutters to overflow.

One order stood paramount above all else. "Any who resist are to be slaughtered."

An overlord in blackened armor – eyes as cold and soulless as the harsh midnight sky. He stood tall with tree-like arms folded around his chest – the sight of dominance bringing a twisted smile to his pale, whitish lips.

"King Garon… I've got some good news for you, milord."

The master of Nohr looked back with a gaze of steel, eying his subordinate with a toxic sneer. "You may speak, Hans. However… I will not be forgiving if you waste my time."

A serial murderer – defiler of women, and butcher of the innocent. Hans held many a terrifying rumor matched only by the despicable horror of his living exploits. One thing was certain above all else – he was very good at these disgustingly evil acts, which he perpetrated.

"You will be happy to know that the neutral kingdom of Nestra is awash with flame. The King has been captured, while the princess Safina has been dispatched… along with her retainers and personal bodyguards. The capital city is under our complete control."

"Hahaha!" Garon stood from his chair. Smoke billowed so far that it could be seen all the way from the Nohrian main camp. "Very good…. Begin preparations, Hans… we shall soon turn our attention to those rebels in Cheve…."

"What are your orders, milord?"

Garon swung back – his mighty came swooshing as he went. "Gut them… gut them to the last. We must suppress them as quickly as possible so that we may turn our attention to the Hoshidan scum laying siege to the Border Wall."

A sinister laugh from Hans – swinging his axe over shoulder, "It shall be done, King Garon."

Revenge – it didn't matter the cost. Boot clad feet crunched through the lifeless brown grass. Eyes of a dimmed, broken green panned upward toward a towering fortress wall of jagged stone. A lone warrior stood tall – long golden hair pooling past the shoulders – toned muscular body clad in wide, tarnished crimson cloak.

"It seems as though the Hoshidan forces are already attacking the Boarder Wall. This is my only chance."

With a powerful hand, he pulled his cloak aside – bringing his eyes to focus upon the clothes, which he wore. An open white vest and red velvet waistcoat complete with darkened brown trousers – around his neck there hung a lone silver pendant. Running a hand upward – past his chest and up the side of his face – he ruffled his locks of gold for a moment in tune with a ragged sigh.

"Three weeks on the road, fleeing from those Nohrian monsters… only to do something as foolhardy as this. Come now, Sirus… you must keep it together."

The heartbeat within his chest jittered with every passing footstep. To fight an armed mob was one thing, but to march headlong into the middle of a battle was another entirely. He breathed hard, bringing one of his hands downward to rest upon a greyed sheathe.

*Shiiing*

A dagger's hilt rested firmly within the palm of the hand – its serrated edge glowing an almost magical hue of silver against the faint evening light. The warrior eyed the weapon hard, so many emotions – so many memories, and still there was only one thing he taste at the forefront of everything.

Bitterness – a vile sickness beyond anything he'd known before. It filled the core of his being – tainting everything it touched with a resentful poison.

There was nothing left inside – Sirus knew the path he'd chosen to walk since that day. "Getting payback is the only way I'll put your memory to rest, milady."

So – headlong into the battle he would go – silver dagger in hand – and there would be no surrender until he had the means to get revenge.

Hoshidan Samurai struck out in force – their blades clanging against the thickened armor plates of Nohrian nights. Left and right people swung out with their weapons, cast their magic and threw their mighty blows back and forth. Sirus however, did not care about such things. He needed to achieve one objective:

"To gain the trust of the only nation powerful enough to challenge Nohr. I must prove myself to the Hoshidans."

Men came forth with spears – they lunged with hardened growls – only to be dislodged from their footing and struck to the ground. "I'll not be beaten by the likes of you."

Turning in the midst of battle – his eyes cast across the abyss – he sought a target. The whiz of an axe cut his objective short. Twirling the blade by the wrist, Sirus slid it away in its sheathe – instead reaching for the longsword at his offside.

A woman caught his sight – fair complexion and a voluptuous figure. By the grace of the gods, she seemed far too delicate to be a soldier amongst these oafish border guards. She waited, twitching her freckled features with a huge steel axe rested behind her back – long wavy blonde hair pooled down the expanse of her broad shoulders.

"….You're not wearing the garments of a Hoshidan soldier." She seemed stunned by the revelation – her eyes of blue narrowing with an intensity matching fire. "….It doesn't matter. Why don't you stand still so I can cut you down already?"

Her demeanour changed in a second flat – her sweet visage falling into a murky, sadistic smirk of glee. "I hope that once I slice you up they'll, like… promote me. It's hard enough making a living amongst these stinking brutes in their heavy armor."

Sirus backed up several paces – raising his sword in defence. "What's your name? I make it a pledge of mine to at least know the name of my foes before I face them in combat…."

"Oooooo," the young lady chuckled – flicking a hand back through the pink bow in her hair. "How honourable of you…. Let me guess… you're one of those noble sorts, am I right? Name's Charlotte… not that it'll matter to you in a few seconds."

"I'd much rather avoid fighting a lady," Guilt – Sirus felt it coursing through his veins with reckless abandon. "….But if I you stand in my way then I'm left with little choice."

"Charlotte," he brought his green gaze upward, "Forgive me."

"Like… SHUT UP! By the Gods! What is it with you swordsman types? Stop shining and show me what ya got!"

"As you wish." Sirus breathed hard – crushing his fears in preparation for the fight ahead.

"Alright! Let's see you get past THIS!" Charlotte snarled with viperous venom – her curvy, defined legs bringing her across the muddy ground. She leapt hard and fast – swinging her deadly axe with massive ogre-like force.

"Damnation!" Sirus leapt back – lungs screaming for breath under the shock. He kneeled, eyes glaring down at the muck. She was fast, far faster than he'd ever anticipated.

There was seldom a moment between each of her strikes. The only way to best her would be through a risky tactic. "I need to find a way around that huge axe she's lugging around… otherwise I'm dead."

Sirus coughed – his mind working in overtime in tandem with his eyes.

'Think Sirus, think…. There has to be some way I can turn the odds in my favour. If I try attacking her upfront, she'll cut me to ribbons before I can even hope to fight back. I need a plan… something I ca-.'

"That's it!" Gnarled branches and decaying trees – a barren patch of land just shy of the eastern footpath leading toward the wall. "….If I can lure her into the woodland then maybe I'll have enough time to-"

The roguish warrior paused – dodging between another blinding cut from Charlotte's weapon. His chest tightened – sweat dripping from his forehead to patter against the cold, hard ground.

"It's now or never." He eyed the blonde girl hard – brandishing his sword with a mocking smile. "….You're hardly proving worth my time. Perhaps I should take my leave and spare you the trouble."

Sirus turned tail and bolted – his feet pounding through a sea of dead leaves and bloodied soil. With every grain of sand that slipped through the hourglass his vision came closer and closer to the treeline of the dead forest.

"HEY!" Charlotte screamed out, "Get back here!" Even through the clashing of weapons and the cries of battle, Sirus could still hear her. She was following suit – good.

"I've only got a couple of seconds. I need to hide before she catches up."

Brown – hollow tree trunks sat rooted into the ground, surrounded by steaming marshes of bubbling, boiling pink smile. The entire place was devoid of life. Not a single thing remained to bring at least a shred of comfort to the heart in this place of encroaching death. Shadows stretched outward, their sinister forms seeming almost like an illusion to the mind.

With a shake of his head, Sirus purged his thoughts of unease, slipping out of sight behind a mass of tall bushes. "Here's hoping this will be enough to keep her off my trail – at least for the moment."

"Where are you? I'll find you… Gods damn it!" The ground shook – trees brought cascading to the ground with massive thumps from Charlotte's axe. With a huff of annoyance, her sapphire gaze shot from left to right. She was close – close enough to find Sirus if he didn't keep his head down, that was for certain.

Breathing hard – Sirus pressed his back against a thicket. The thunderous beating of his heart was so fierce that pains ran through his chest.

'She's to the side of me… it's now or never. If I move in fast enough then she won't be able to respond.'

It was time to move – with a breath the blonde-haired swordsman crept ever closer. Dagger in hand, he prepared to strike.

'I'll cut her throat... make it as painless as possible.'

"Not so fast." He flinched, freezing to the ground as Charlotte spun around with a haughty laugh – puffing out her chest with pride. "You didn't think I'd let you sneak up on me, did you? I swear… men…. That's the oldest trick in the tome."

"Now," she commanded with a sinister smile, "Drop the dagger…. I'm sick of running after you. It's no fun. I said DROP IT!"

There was no choice in the matter – how frustrating. Nodding in defeat – Sirus cast his blade aside and stood tall, hands balled tight with frustration.

'Pathetic… I came all this way and now I'm going to be snuffed out like this? Forgive me, Princess Safina…. It seems I didn't have the power to avenge you afte-'

CLANK! Sirus drifted back from his thoughts to find Charlotte standing tall – her hands knitted together in a clasp. Her axe rested on the ground as she inhaled and exhaled deeply.

"I'll fight you with my bare hands," she chuckled, stepping forward in some kind of strange fighting stance. "It's been a long time since I've worked out my stress like this…. Show me what you've got!"

No more words – there wasn't time. Charlotte sped forward – her hands jabbing in and out with the intensity of spikes.

Sirus reeled back – eyes struggling to keep track. With a stiff grunt, he brought his arms up to guard; looking between his makeshift defences with what little insight, he could muster.

'Finally a level playing field…. If I work like this, I should have no problems at least knocking her back a little. She has power on her side… that's for sure. If I want to win then I need to be faster.'

Flicking his hair back, the red-clad warrior ducked and weaved between the attacks of the lady fighter – slipping to the side to send the sharpened edge of his left foot veering forward.

*Crack*

A dry heave – Charlotte buckled forward with wheezing breaths – her eyes wide in surprise. "You," she sputtered, "You actually hit me…."

Sirus closed in with the same vigor – his toned body throbbing under a furious wave of adrenaline. At last, he finally had some hope. "….Self-defence is a specialty of all personal protectors in the land from which I hail."

Charlotte sprang upright – twisting the side of her body. Her elbow wisped past with just an inch of room, "And where, pray tell, do you come from? I've seen neither noble nor commoner alike fight with his hands and feet like that."

"The kingdom of Nestra. I was once -

An earthquake – the ground shook unforgivingly. Brittle trees swayed and snapped with every seismic shudder, and from the blackness of the deeper woodland came a howl of bloodlust.

'What is that thing? A masked demon? No – it can't be.'

Sirus used the opportunity to dive across the dirt, flipping with agility to reach his silver dagger.

"A FACELESS!" Charlotte stood – eyes of ocean blue wide – her pupils as tiny as pinpricks. "Oh no… this is bad! Really bad…." She scooped up the axe and brought it to bare – turning back to face Sirus with urgency. "We'll have to work together… otherwise it'll pull us apart before we have a chance to fight back."

"You're insane, clearly." A flick of the wrist – a smile across his lips. Sirus twirled the blade in his hand and moved in to stand shoulder to shoulder with the curvy fighter. "….But I suppose for now there's not much choice."

His eyes scanned the beast in all of its terrifying glory – a towering ten feet tall with fists the size of small boulders. Just how in the world were two people with an axe and a dagger supposed to beat this thing?

"Raaaaawwwwwrrrr!" The inhuman monster thumped on its gigantic feet – the sheer force of every step generating enough power to leave gargantuan cracks in the earth. One-step – two steps – three, and four.

"It's right on top of us!" Charlotte brought her weapon to bare, "Keep it busy! I'll try going around the side and climbing on its back."

"….You don't need to tell me-"

*Thump*

The sky shifted into view. A pain beyond the likes of anything Sirus knew ran rampant across the expanse of his body. Every beat of his heart resembled that of a blade stabbing into the deepest core of his soul. He flew through the air like a paperweight – crashing back down to the ground in a heap of wood and splinters.

'I can't move…. The blood – I can taste it swimming upward from the back of my throat. The sky… it looks so calm, so peaceful…. I simply wish… I could've… found some justice for-"

Blackness descended in a veil – obscuring his vision. "….I can't die yet… not until I've… found Hans…"

"Hey… Wake up." A voice – one of softness and tranquillity. It eased his fleeting senses in this time of confusion.

"I said WAKE UP!" Everything blurred into a mishmash of white and yellow. Those two colors danced in union most beautifully – their forms eventually shifted into a shape – a face.

"Charlotte?" There she was – the girl he'd been fighting beside moments earlier. She sat with a smile before a crackling orange campfire – hands slinked together in a gentle knot.

"At last," Her lips soured into a frown for the moment. She brought one her dainty hands down to a satchel at her hip, producing a small bottle of clear, glowing liquid.

"Drink this." Her eyes were calm – soft – filled with an assurance that Sirus needed right now. "It's a vulnerary…. It won't fix the worst of your injuries… but with a little luck it should take the pain away long enough for you to relax."

Alarm bells chimed inside Sirus' head. "The monster…. What happened to-"

"Shh," Charlotte giggled – looking back with a dark grin. "See for yourself…. It's been a while since I've had to fight one of these things with just my hands."

"But how?" The creature lay sprawled across the ground in a heap of smashed up trees – its face practically caved in with deep indentations.

'No way – Charlotte... you have such strength.'

"The look in your eyes says it all," the blonde girl continued, "Gods only know how… but I beat it down somehow. Now," she instructed again – her face souring into the frown Sirus had become accustomed to seeing in their short time together, "Drink up and try to relax…. We won't be getting out of the forest until daybreak."

"It's nightfall already?"

How was that possible? Sirus had only been out for a couple of minutes at most. Well, that's what it felt like, anyway.

"Look around, idiot," Charlotte growled, "The moon should be a dead giveaway."

Blackness all around – save for the low embers of the campfire and the rays of soft lunar light in the sky. Indeed – he'd been out cold for hours. Just how much power had that 'Faceless' creature hit him w-

"You're lucky to be alive." The lady Fighter shuffled back to sit at Sirus' side – anchoring her axe into the ground and laying with her back against it. "The Faceless have the power to tear whole groups of soldiers apart. You're one of the first people I've seen take a punch straight to the chest like that and survive."

He should've been dead – that much was obvious. Was this a sign that good fortune finally wanted to shine? The rogue – battered and bruised, exhaled the tension and shook his head. "Guess I should be thankful, huh?"

Indeed, he was – and he looked to Charlotte with a nod of the head. "My name's Sirus…. Shall we try intruductions again?"

"Hmph," the girl scoffed – stretching her arms up high, her ample womanly assets bulging as she did so. "Charlotte… and I think I should be the one asking questions. Who are you? And why in the name of the Dark Dragon are you dressed in that odd red vest? It's not of Hoshidan design... of that I'm sure."

"A long story." Sirus looked to the flames – releasing a defeated sigh. Yes – he'd have to tell the truth, at least if he was stuck with this girl until morning. "I was… the son of a lesser noble house in the Kingdom of Nestra. My full name is Sirus Merantz… and I'm currently… on the run with nowhere to go."

Sirus heard the gasp escape Charlotte's mouth – she wasn't subtle about it in the slightest. "A lesser noble you say? Why didn't you tell me? I would've had to-"

Strange – she had a beaming smile across her face – as heavenly as an angel. "Milord," she bowed her head, "Will you at least let me stay by your side until I can get you to safety?"

Something about this didn't feel right – Sirus' gut wrenched at the painstaking effort the fair-skinned blonde made. "You can drop the act," he sighed, "If I'm being honest… I have much more respect for the side of you I saw earlier."

"YOU WHAT?!" The scowl was back again – plastered across Charlotte's pale features. "I don't know what you possibly mean…. You can't be serious."

What an amusing statement to make. Sirus pointed toward the defeated Faceless with a smooth laugh. "What's not to respect? You swing an axe like one of the woman warriors of old… and you beat a towering fiend to death with your bare hands. I'd say that's worthy of praise."

"Oh, be quiet." Charlotte snarled – turning away with her shoulders stiffened in defence. "Flattery won't get you anywhere. Now… tell me… why are you here?"

A story that the Nestran swordsman held close to his heart with burning fury. "I'm sure you're aware… given the Nohrian insignia on your clothing… that in weeks prior the small Kingdom of Nestra was attacked on the order of King Garon. A man named Hans the Butcher carried out his instructions."

Charlotte remained quiet – only nodding for a second most brief. "Yes… I'd heard."

Flashbacks – they still haunted Sirus' mind as he relived that terrible moment again. "I served as retainer and protector to the crown-princess of Nestra… Lady Safina. When the capital was attacked there was little time to resist... and in the chaos I was separated from her ladyship."

The eyes of the blonde man narrowed in disgust at every memory. "I had to watch in the distance as Hans and his men chased her down…. Safina was a loving woman… a true heart and soul of the common people…. The dastard held her down and tore the clothes from her body…. The screams… they still bring terror to my heart… I could do nothing as he stole her purity… and beat her to death with the blunt side of an axe."

"So you want to know why I'm here?" Sirus brought his hand to rest upon the dagger's sheathe. "….I want to join Prince Corrin's army…. I want to climb over the Boarder Wall… and once I do… I'm going to find Hans and sink my blade into his throat…. I don't care about the war… or the armies… all I want is vengeance for my lady."

"Oh Gods." There was fear in Charlotte's eyes. "I'd heard the rumours about Hans… but… Gods…."

Sirus closed his eyes – leaning back against a broken tree stump with a sad smile. "She was a true beacon for the less fortunate. She'd donate money from the castle treasury to the poorest of the poor… find them places to live… food to eat. All she ever did for the people of the capital was give… and one selfish beast of a man took everything from her…."

Silence – it descended upon the campfire with impunity. For the longest time Sirus looked into Charlotte's eyes of blue with emptiness. He had not the strength to say another word. Instead – he pulled a coin purse from his belt and sighed.

"What's that?" The Nohrian girl asked softly, "Money?"

"You know," Sirus tossed the little sack of coins up and down in his palm, "I once thought money could buy you happiness… turns out I was wrong…. I'd rather be poor with nothing and still have her… instead of be where I am now. Ironic… All I've got are these fifty gold coins and two swords to my n-"

"….When you're poor all you can hope for is a little extra coin to scrape by." Charlotte's expression softened – her eyes pooling with a sadness Sirus hadn't seen thus far. "…I've done some terrible things to put money on the table for my dear mother…. Tried to get into the army… marry well… noble men don't want a brute like me."

"I tell you what," Sirus clasped the purse in his hand – eyes closed in thought. Maybe, just maybe, there would be a way to get out of his current predicament safely. "You can have my gold…. I don't need it."

"You're serious? No… you must be lying." Charlotte hissed – her face falling into a nasty arrangement of bitterness, "If you want me to do something dirty for it then you can f-"

"No," Sirus shook his head. It was time to roll out his plan. "Escort me safely to the Hoshidan main camp across the ridge from here. I'll give you half if you agree… and the rest when we arrive."

"Haha," Charlotte threw back her wavy blonde locks – cold rasps of laughter slipping free, "Most amusing milord. I'm sure you charm all of the ladies with your outrageous humour…."

"I'm quite serious." He reached inside the fabric of the bag. With deft fingers, he gathered up a sizable handful of the shiny yellowish coins – tossing them on the ground in a heap. "Take them…. You can have the rest when we get there."

The curvy girl sat perfectly still for a moment – eyes aimed in check of the wounded warrior. "You've taken leave of your senses," she began - before crawling toward the discarded money, "How do you know you can trust me?"

"Because," Sirus folded his arms – eyes closed in deep reflection. Something about Charlotte's eyes reminded him of the same purity the princess had. "I think somewhere beneath the surface there's a very caring woman waiting to be found… she just needs a little kindness to bring her out."

"Whatever foolish notions help you sleep at night." She scoffed – of course she did, but a quick peak from the corner of his eye and Sirus was sure he saw the faintest smile curving her lips.

"We have a deal." The freckled beauty inched forward – scooping up the coins and putting them into her satchel. She stopped fast – her expression showing a flicker of hesitance before finally fizzling into neutral.

Sirus looked onward in approval – Charlotte held out her dainty white hand with a smile. "Wow... I feel like a mercenary right now, but worry not. I'll help you, Sirus… but in return I want you to make a promise to me."

"Anything." Mister Merantz was a man of his word – and nothing this rough diamond of a lady had in mind would be enough to deter him – of that he was sure. "Name it… and I'll do my best to help you out in return for your services."

"When the Hoshidan army finally arrives outside the capital of Windmire… I want you to give your word that you'll come with me and rescue my parents. I don't want to see them harmed in the clash."

'Wow – she certainly is dedicated to her family.'

Sirus gave a nod – trust was a mutual bond. If she was going to help him now, then he'd have to return the favour, money notwithstanding.

"You have yourself an agreement." Sirus reached out and gently took Charllotte by the hand – his lips curving into a smile. "From now on… we're working together."

She chuckled, slinking their fingers together and gripping on tight. Strange – were her cheeks glowing red? "'Partners'… strange…. I like the sound of that."

*Charlotte and Sirus attained support level C*

To be continued...

So, what did you think? I pride myself on trying to honor source material when I write original characters for any series. Please feel free to leave some feedback. Would you like the story to continue?

I've also written other Fire Emblem stories and oneshots for those of you who are interested – as well as Huniepop stories too. Look at my profile if you feel like reading a little more.

Well – that's everything. Keep on supporting Fire Emblem, and thanks again for your time!