The Missing Stone

Partly Borrowed

As soon as the citizens spot the Kingdom army's banner they start revolting, rioting against the Imperial soldiers stationed there. Men attack guardsmen with pitchforks, children throw rocks, women bash soldiers over their heads with iron pots. Mildred is in awe. They break through the gates easily. Too easily.

There aren't any Imperial forces moving to quell the citizens' revolution, making Mildred apprehensive. Something is waiting for us up there.

"I agree," Aelura says, tone low. Mao hums in thought. Chester is silent, per usual.

They stop at the gates, waiting for His Highness to give the word. Mildred decides to fight with her daggers this time, Felix's sword and Ashe's bow on her back. She's partnered with Annette and Bernadetta. They're to take the western parparets. Sylvain, Linhardt, and Ashe take the eastern side, and the rest storm the middle.

"Are you ready?" Annette asks, flipping through her tomes, ready for battle. They both nod, Bernadetta standing slightly behind Mildred who grips her daggers tighter.

"Everyone!" The prince's voice echoes loud and clear over the army. "Listen well! This battle is for all that the Empire stole from us. It is a fight to reclaim the days of peace we once enjoyed. I give you but two commands—stay alive, and follow your heart. That is all I ask. The gates to the Kingdom capital are open. Join me! It is time to take back our home!"

Both the residents and soldiers cheer, the combined sound deafening to Mildred. She immediately shifts, joining Annette on top of Bernadetta's newly acquired horse as they gallop for the western gate. They're instantly met with two heavily armored units accompanied by an archer. Mildred and Annette dismount, the latter blasting the left soldier with wind. The archer behind them retaliates by firing at Mildred. She easily dodges, harnessing her faith magic and disposing of the soldier with Nosferatu.

Bernadetta takes care of the archer, and they advance. Two brawlers blocking each of the archways. Bernadetta fires at one of them and misses. They're fast.

"Show caution," Chester warns as Mildred charges at the other. They are quite fast, their gauntlet whistling as it swings over her head. They are, however, scarcely armored, making it almost easy burying a knife in their side and sprinting ahead. Mildred suddenly screeches to a halt. Just ahead is a giant...something covered in stone plates of armor. The mage in front of it grins maliciously at her before hurling a fireball her way.

Mildred throws herself to the ground, the fireball singeing the tops of her ears. The collision forces a grunt out of her lungs, and she opens her eyes to see Bernadetta's horse rearing as she snipes the mage from afar. Annette edges around the giant's range, targeting the heavily armored unit slightly behind it. Scrambling to her feet, Mildred dashes towards the giant, searching for weaknesses. The gaps in its armor aren't that large, but she never expected them to be. Still, if she managed to get under its defenses she'd be able to disarm it in an instant...

"Don't even think about it," Mao scolds. "The amount of magical energy is enough to cause near fatal harm-" Mildred ignores her, shifting to run faster as the giant turns creaking and heavy steps towards Annette. Bernadetta shoots at it to distract it, but her arrows bounce harmlessly off its armor. Instead she redirects her attention to Annette, galloping her over and hoisting her onto the saddle, successfully moving her away from the giant.

As soon as Mildred gets under its shields her senses are assaulted by magic, the energy humming loudly in her ears and vibrating in her bones. She slows dramatically, shoulders hunching and knees buckling under unseen pressure. The giant nearly steps on her, making the ground shake, but she's practically underneath it, so she should be fine...

Something bursts, explodes in the air and crashes to the ground. Several voices yell from the east. Hurry up, she thinks to herself, the giant turning its sword towards Bernadetta, who is staying well out of range. Gritting her teeth, Mildred paws inside the armor, noting the cold interior and the glowing mechanisms shifting and moving. It's almost like it's alive.