In the Service of the Lord: The Enchanted Forest

An Assassin's Creed, Chronicles of Narnia, and Princess Mononoke crossover

I do not own anything connected to these franchises!

Chapter 1

In ancient times, the land lay covered in forests, where, from ages long past, dwelt the spirits of the gods. Back then, man and beast lived in harmony. But as time went by, most of the great forests were destroyed. Those who remained were guarded by gigantic beasts who owed their allegiance to the Great Forest Spirt, for those were the days of gods and demons.

The forest seemed to glitter with life. Odd looking creatures, little white people with black eyes of various sizes scurried around, animals of many species mingling with them.

The forest was also under the threat of ever-expanding human population, such humans being almost all of Asian descent.

The head of a white wolf appeared before my eyes, jaws open wide in attack...

I woke up, crying out, shaking and sweating. I relaxed, after a long moment, realizing that my visions were just a dream, and I was back in Cair Paravel.

It had been two years after the defeat of the White Witch, and I had been assisting The Four in fitting into their roles. It hadn't been too difficult, which surprised me.

True, it had been a big step for the kids, but it seemed like they were meant to be monarchs all along.

For the most part, I had been their bodyguard, keeping away suitors and one or two assassins. The latter had nothing on me, so it didn't take much to top them off.

When I came downstairs for breakfast, I could barely make it to the table, as I have been having many such dreams for the past couple of days, keeping me from a good night's sleep.

"Another bad night, Mate?" Edmund asked, the four young adults already there. Edmund, brooding and moody, but also with a dry sense of humor, had lived up to his name of Edmund the Just. He was the mediator of the four, a cool head in the midst of the excitement, sharp as a whip.

"Yeah," I replied tiredly.

"Is it the Table again?" Lucy asked worriedly.

I shook my head. "No, something about a forest, with some dodgy-looking creatures in it."

"It's been at least a week of this, and all the medicine in Narnia hasn't helped," Peter, the Magnificent High King, noted soberly.

I shrugged, smiling tiredly at the young man. He had grown into a strong, tall man with nigh explosive charisma and confidence. The latter I had put a clamp on these past years, but there was no better warrior than he was.

Other than Christ, Peter was one of the very few I, secretly, looked up to.

Susan, who had more or less become my/our mother, rose to check my temperature. Susan had grown into a slender, devastatingly beautiful young woman, whose poise and caring were as legendary as her beauty.

Many was the suitor I had to literally throw out of Cair Paravel on her behalf, none of them being good enough for my replacement mother.

"You don't have a temperature. I don't quite understand what is going on," she said, concerned.

Lucy, who was nearest me, took my hand. "Call for Aslan. I'm sure he has an answer for you."

It never failed, Lucy's faith in Aslan, I noted. Above all the four children, the youngest one was the one I admired and trusted most.

Sweet little Lucy, the Valiant Queen, had become an energetic and passionate young woman, whose trust in Aslan was as complete as her love both for adventure and love for everybody around her. She was never afraid of getting dirty, and had no qualms about rushing to the aid of anybody or anything that needed help.

"I think I will do just that."

Susan patted me on the cheek. "Before you do anything, get some breakfast."

"Yes, Darling!" I said, smirking slightly, then yelped as she hit me upside the head.

"That mouth of yours will get you into trouble one of these days!" I smiled, as I took some toast.

"Maybe Mum, but said mouth has gotten me out of trouble more often than getting me into it."

Lucy giggled. Even when sleep deprived, her bodyguard was always up for banter!

He was still the same man he had been when he met them: a deadly, but caring man, loyal to a fault.

In only a short time, he had given his life for her family, an act that still lived in her nightmares.

He had become like family to the four of them: both brother and father.

After I had eaten, I gasped as I heard Christ's voice sounded in my head. "Meet me at Lantern Waste. Your second task begins on arrival."

I shook myself, and rose. "Aslan calls to me. It looks like I have another journey to go on."

There was a long pause, then Edmund rose, and patted me gingerly on the shoulder. The shy young man was never one for open displays of affection. "Take care, old chap. We can handle ourselves just fine here."

I ruffled his hair, smiling as he pushed my hand away. "I've no doubt you will, Ed."

Peter came forward, and grasped my forearm. "You will always have a place at our table, and we will always be here for you, as you have been for us."

I smiled, returning the grip. "I shan't forget that in a hurry, Pete."

Then it was Lucy, and she wrapped her arms around me. "Please trust in Aslan. You will never regret it. Come back safe!"

I smiled, returning the hug. "As I will never regret meeting you and your family, Lu. I will miss you, and everyone else."

I turned to Susan, who took my face in both of her hands.

"I don't really want to go," I admitted.

Susan nodded, sighing. "I know, but what we have to do, and want to do, are not always the same thing, I'm afraid. But you'll do fine."

We hugged, and I looked at my family again. "I love you all, and I'll come back when I can."

As I walked out of the main keep of Cair Paravel, a voice stopped me. "Surely you were not planning to leave with only your sword and Hidden Blades?"

I smiled. I had forgotten to say good bye to Oreius!

I turned toward him, as he trotted to my side.

Always an imposing figure, the Centaur General was the best swordsbeasts in Narnia, even when I used Michael's sword against him.

"My mistake, Oreius. I was in a hurry."

Smiling, he handed me a large pack of throwing knives. "You have nothing to apologize for. Use these knives well."

I smiled. If there was one thing that Oreius had always tried to teach me, is that one should not rely on a single weapon, but on many weapons.

I nodded, grasping his forearm in a warrior's farewell. "Thanks, General. Keep Narnia safe from harm while I am gone."

Oreius nodded. "I shall do the best that I can. Good luck, Right Hand!"

With that, I rode out of Cair Paravel, not looking back.

If I did, I would never leave.

I wore my Assassin robes, dyed crimson with gold trappings, carrying the sword of Michael, which was strapped across my back, my Hidden-Blades, and the weapons Oreius had given me.

I was the Mentor of Narnia.

I met Christ at Lantern Waste, dismounting and dismissing the talking horse before bowing before Him.

"Holy Father, it has been too long."

Christ smiled, and embraced me. "My dear boy, it has indeed been too long since we have beheld each other, but I have always been with you!"

I smiled, basking in His warm embrace.

After we broke apart, I asked. "You sent for me?"

Christ nodded. "You will be going to another universe, somewhere in ancient Asia. No doubt you have seen the visions that Michael has sent to you?"

I nodded. "Something about a forest?"

Christ nodded. "Precisley, and that is where you are going. It is called the Enchanted Forest, and for good reason. Search out the Wolf Tribe, as I can vouch for them. The tribes' matriarch, Moro, knows of me. The creature they call 'The Great Forest Spirit' is considered the forest's chief diety, but it was I who gave him power. Your duty, as ever, is to find and stop Lucifer, who is currently cutting away at the forest in the guise of a human leader."

I nodded. "Very well, Father. I never took you for a tree-hugger!"

Christ shrugged. "I love all creation. Just because they are not human does not mean that they are without worth. Remember: the strength of your body comes from your faith in Me. Do what is good, in my Name. Have care whom you trust, as the situation will not be as simple as it seems. My blessing is upon you, unless you suffer in the delusion that credit for doing good is yours to have, and that your strength is from yourself. I will take care of your family while you are gone, but I will always be where you need me. Take care, Beloved!" He finished, and rested his Hand on my forehead.

There was a flash of light, and then I stood on a dirt road. In front of me sprawled an enormous forest.!

"Oh, good! No long travel needed," I muttered to myself, as I entered the forest, ignoring the dirt path.

By the greeness and freshness of the foliage and the pollen in the air, as well as the luke-warm temperature, I guess this was in mid to late Spring.

I could feel the chaotic energy and life seeping from the forest, untamed and undeniable.

I jumped as something tugged at my robes, and looked down to my left.

It was one of those little white creatures, its oddly shaped eyes staring up at me, it's height brushing my left knee.

"They are Kodama, ancient spirits of the forest. They are quite harmless," Christ's voice whispered in my ear.

I crouched, and slowly reached out my hand. With a rattle, it tilted its head to the side, and just as I was about to touch it, it ran off into the forest.

"Cheeky little blighter!" I muttered, shaking my head.

Suddenly, There was a rustling of tree branches over my head, and I leaped aside as a rock the size of my head thudded into the spot I had been standing a second earlier.

Oh, so that's why that Kodama ran!

I didn't have time to appreciate this realization, as I had to run to avoid several more rocks and stones of various sizes.

I weaved my way through the trees for at least five minutes, before diving behind a large boulder, allowing whatever had attacked me to pass me by. I watched, disbelieving, as a horde of apes did so, climbing through the trees over my head.

"You've got to be joking!" I growled, shaking my head!"

I jumped as another Kodama appeared looking down from the top of the boulder at me. I nodded up at the creature.

"Could you thank your friend for warning me?" With that clicking noise of theirs, it tilted its head to oneside, and vanished, presumably to deliver my message.

Useful little buggers! Note to self: Kodamas were friendly, but monkeys were not! I never liked the latter anyway!

I came out from my hiding space in a rush, ready to defend myself, but the forest was now tranquil, save for the multitude of birds calling, insects whirring, and the usual sounds you might expect from such an environment.

I couldn't recognize any of the species of trees, and there were too many to even start counting.

I frowned, realizing that I needed a bird's eye view of the forest, which the Assassin Brotherhood called 'Synchronizing.' Finding an exceptionally tall, climbable tree not too far away, I began to climb, keeping a sharp eye out for those damned apes as I did so.

At the very top of the tree, I got a good view all right! Miles upon miles of the forest stretched out in front of me, intersecting with mountain ranges, many miles high. The scene was indescribably awe-inspiring.

It felt so good to synchronize, as Susan had often, and quite loudly, forbidden me to do while in Narnia!

On one particular mountain range, I spotted a wolf of exceptional size, looking straight at me!

Oh, bugger.

With that decided, I chose a dense pile of foliage, I executed a Leap of Faith into them.

I could almost hear Susan's shriek of fury as I descended, her undying, almost profound, disgust at my acrobatics.

Just the other day, I was enjoying a synchronizing at the top of Cair Paravel in the early morning, trying to do so while Susan was asleep.

Unfortunately, Susan had chosen that particular morning to get a midnight snack.

"John Elder Lewis, you get down from there this instant!"

Damn!

Usually I would have done a Leap of Faith into the ocean, and hiding on the shore amidst the rocks to avoid dear old Mum.

However, I didn't have that particular luxury that day. I dove into a haystack, wincing as her accompanying shriek wrent the air.

I lay in the haystack, hoping to avoid the coming apocalypse of Susan Pevensie's wrath.

I didn't have any luck with that, because Oreius had taken it upon himself to haul me into the presence of my furious foster mother, who gave me such a dressing down that I was forced into swearing never to synchronize again.

Sorry, Mumzy, but since you are not here, I won't need to worry about being caught!

I emerged from the bushes, taking a deep breath of the fresh air around me. Life was good, so far...or so I thought!

I decided to keep walking, in order to find the Wolf Tribe. Just when I thought that I had enough excitement for that day, the Wolf Tribe found me!

I barely had time to draw move before two enormous white wolves came charging at me from the direction of their lair, a classic pincer movement designed to confuse and overwhelm.

Riding on one of the wolves was a slim figure wearing a head-dress of white fir and a strange mask.

The person carried a spear, and with a war-cry, the person hurled the spear at me. Swearing, I ducked as I drew Michael's sword.

I had no intention to harm them, but I no intention of letting them harm me!

I crouched as the wolves came in, but it was the person that attacked, leaping for at me with reckless abandon, and another another war cry.

Shaking my head with amusement, I swung my sword, tapping the warrior on the forehead, knocking the mask off...her mask off.

Brown shoulder-length hair, angry brown eyes, a small pale face flashed across my vision as she righted herself, and slammed her left shoulder into my chest, taking my breath away, my sword flying from my grasp.

The girl's left hand shot in, holding a knife of substantial width. I batted it aside with one hand, and shoved her back with the other. "Now, half a moment, luv, I'm not your enemy!"

She paused, eyes fixed to mine. "What do you mean, human? Speak!"

By the look in her eyes, I knew that she wanted nothing more than to bury her remaining weapon in my flesh. Her voice, although feminine, was a harsh, demanding bark.

"I come in peace, as far as the Wolf Tribe and the Forest is concerned-"

"You're lying!"

I glared at her. "Shut it!"

She tensed, as I continued. "As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, my master sent me here to kill a human who is harming this forest. On top of that, my master knows the Matriarch of your Tribe."

The girl narrowed her eyes. "I don't believe you. What does he look like, your Master?"

I decided to leave off His Human, seeing that humans seemed to be hated in this forest. I opened my mouth to answer, but another answered. "A Lion, larger than I."

I turned to the voice, and saw an enormous wolf emerge from the trees, twice the size of the others, and almost as large as Aslan Himself!

I bowed low, careful to be respectful, as the smaller wolves were still showing their teeth, and the girl had retrieved her knife. "Moro, I presume? In the name of Aslan, my Father, I greet you."

Moro approached me, and I fought to hold my composure. You try facing that big of a wolf, and see how you do!

When she spoke, her voice was low, almost a whisper, hoarse and world-weary: "It has been too long since I have seen Him. I was a small pup then, and I do not recall him having a mate. Hold out your arm, Child."

I frowned, but did so. I was no child!

After taking a long drag of my scent, she grunted. "And here I thought all humans were our enemies!"

She turned to her children. "What he says is true. Despite being a human, he will be of use to us."

REVAMP!