Author's Notes: Yes, a non-one-shot from Ammie. Wow. And also knowing Ammie, this stands a high chance of never making it far beyond chapter two. But, I'm actually rather excited by the plot, and I have some personal friends on my heels about this one, so... let's see.
This prologue, and some excerpts later, take place in the future from the events which are the focus of the story. ... Well, the main bulk of the story, anyway. It's debatable as to what's actually the "focus".
To warn you all, this story contains a total of three main het pairings and one main shounen-ai pairing. Off to the side, I've a few minor ones planned (possibly a shoujo-ai and a shounen-ai and a het, although I don't know how many) that I might or might not put into action. There's no sexual action shown beyond probably flinching at touches and kissing, although there's far more implied and talked about. Nothing graphic.
The genre concentrates around romance, though by no means is it pure romance or tragic romance or whatever. We're talking political and manipulative romance, for the most part. I felt that putting romance into the description would sound misleading, but what else was I to put? And, er, I tried to cram it into ff.n's limited categories to describe it as well as possible.
And finally, I disclaim. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance belongs to someone who is legal, rich, and probably male. I.e., sadly not me.
Prologue: Plasma Eroding
It is midday at the time of my writing.
The curtain in the palace flaps uncertainly in the wind. A rebellion is more than conceivable, it is inevitable.
But not today. Today is fine, clean. The facade lives on, operating smoothly, almost silently, though you can hear the metallic hiss it makes against a scabbard named loathing. Our facade is a fine work of art and a deadly weapon. I only wish Ike could notice.
Elincia came to see me again today, more uptight than usual, even rid of all the cloth she keeps on her stomach as a disguise. I wonder if I've become a chambermaid to her, somehow, in my service to Ike. Knowing his secret, I am one of the few who could serve Elincia in this condition.
And what of it? Do I mind so much? In honesty, the sight is not foreign, although her face clearly expresses that she remembers, and is uncomfortable with this arrangement. For Ike. For Crimea. Most likely the former: given insight on the consequences of what will come to power, Elincia still participated in this near-conspiracy. All for the sake of Ike, and the pleading eyes of a father to come.
Elincia seems to be one who does not know where the limits of loyalty are to lie, especially now, as a fledgling queen, never having any political instruction. But with the queen of my country and the one whom I pledge service to both commanding me to do so – although ultimately, it was all the power of the latter from the start – I can only further the destruction of Crimea.
So be it. My loyalty, after all, lies only with Ike. I will likely be here on the day that foreseen massacre will ensue. I will likely be hiding away, deep in a desert. I will likely be watching Stefan's eyes wander to the red sky above Crimea and turn to lecture me. "And you had faith in them, Soren?"
Endnotes: Yes, erm, uncomfortably short for me. If I can get around to it (which I hope I can), chapter one should come ... ... ... I don't know, I can't make promises.
Reviews appreciated, and I'd love it if someone can tell me what year it is in Tellius at the end of the game. They announce it once, and I forget, and I'm a good few hundred miles away from my gamecube. XD