On being added to Fire Emblem Heroes

[swordprincess]

...Is that really me? They should know I dislike fighting. Perhaps it is a glimpse of my future. If this summoner has need of my sword, then how can I refuse?

Besides...I may find my brother there.

[With a deep sigh, she closes her eyes, thinking of her brother and the time when they were close...]

Comments

[sword_demon]

No sister... I very much doubt that is a glimpse into your future. Instead I believe it is a glimpse into your past, a version of yourself taken from when you battled your way through arena after arena to find me.

While you may find me there... you may not like what you find.

[swordprincess]

My...past?

[She has a vague idea of what he means, and it's honestly terrifying.]

...Does that mean I've lost more of myself than I thought? That I've been consumed by the hunger for battle to the point of no return?

And what do you mean I won't like what I find?

[sword_demon]

No, but I fear I have. If you channeled that hunger and perfected it, perhaps our blades would clash in the ultimate confrontation of our heritage, but there is a part of me that hopes that shall not come to pass.

I've been slowly coming to terms with all I have done in pursuit of perfection with the blade, and the me you will find there has not. I doubt he would hesitate for a moment to strike you down if he thought you worthy enough to duel... as it is, I find it difficult myself not to test my mettle against you here and now.

[swordprincess]

...I don't believe it will ever come to pass. I don't want to fight you.

[And he won't strike her down as long as she doesn't fight.]

It only gets worse with every battle we fight, does it not?

[sword_demon]

I...

[There are many things he wants to say, but words were never his strong suit. He's fighting two sides of himself, one side that loves his little sister and wants to protect her, and the other side that wants to see her become the greatest swordswoman that he can surpass. He'd already sacrificed so much for his ambitions, fought so many, but Karla was always the one who was most important to him, and what would be the point to be the best if he did it by killing her? There was so much turmoil is his heart and mind, that he couldn't clearly decide what was right and wrong, but he knew Karla should come first.]

Yes... it does. However, I want you to be strong enough so that no one will best you except me, so that even if I'm not there you will always be safe.

[swordprincess]

[She gives him a confident glance now.]

You needn't worry about that, Brother. I've reached a level where no one can even touch me in the arenas.

[Never mind all those superpowered fighters in the game she's in...]

[sword_demon]

[Now his glare is a hard one.]

Do you think that the arena can teach you all you need to know about combat? Do you think that every foe will fight you fairly with steel? One on one? Until you can learn everything there is for me to teach you, you know nothing!

[swordprincess]

...Do you think the arenas are the only places where I have fought?

[Heavens know just how many bandits she's had to fight on her journey. Or big, burly axe fighters, for that matter.]

[sword_demon]

No... I suppose not. I only want what is best for you, just as I always have.

I simply know that the world I once thought was so much more simple of kill or be killed is much more vast and powerful than I'd ever imagined. My skills though perhaps nearing the pinnacle of what our world has ever seen, are laughable to some of the greater powers I have now faced. I have literally seen into the eyes of death, fought a score of demons, and was laid low by a beast the likes of which I'd never imagined.

I have died out here Karla, and yet I keep coming back as if some specter on some never ending quest to do the impossible.

[swordprincess]

...Brother...

[That...is not very reassuring to hear. The idea that her brother could be bested by anything, powered up or not, just seemed unreal. And if he could be bested, what chance does she have?]

I think I see now. No matter how great our skills may be, there is always someone...or something who is stronger. Something that would drive us to overcome it, regardless of cost...

[sword_demon]

We are human Karla, no matter how much we may try to become one with the blade, there are limitations to our very bodies. Can one hope to fight a volcano from erupting? A star from exploding? Is there a way to cut down such forces with steel alone? No... but there are ways to overcome those that might. I seek to learn and to teach all that I know in the sword in the hopes that even when faced with the impossible, there is a chance to survive... not necessarily to overcome, but to live.

Humility was not a lesson I learned easily, and I hope it is one that you shall not have to die to learn, as I did.

[swordprincess]

[Part of her is relieved to hear that Karel learned some humility. Not so much that he actually had to die for it. It was fortunate that he had returned to life, as impossible as it would be otherwise. Another one of Karla's fears of the sword was the urge to take on those that were much stronger.]

...Perhaps we can combine our skills to fight those forces? We would have a greater chance to survive together.