Lady Calamity and the Shepherd (Tales of Berseria × Tales of Zestiria Crossover)

Chapter 15: Let War Begin

Sorey and his group went back into the inn and found Velvet and her group waiting for the others. “Hey!” Sorey called, grabbing their attention. Orthie and Russ barked in happiness as Velvet gave them a smile. “What did we miss?” Eleanor asked, her jealousy gone, leaving nothing but guilt in the spot. When she had stormed out of the room, she realized that Velvet deserved some love and happiness in her life after Artorius ruining it. “Not much. Though I will be staying behind.” Alisha said with a bitter smile. “How come?” Laphicet asked with a frown. “It’s because of the rift between Hyland and Rolance. Alisha thinks it would be a good idea to stay behind and deal with Marlind herself then risk an all-out war between the two kingdoms.” Mikleo explained. “That seems logical.” Eizen said. “We’ll also be staying behind. We would become too much of a liability if we followed.” Dyle explained, now gaining a lisp.

“Dyle? What’s wrong?” Lailah asked, confused. Medissa sighed and said “I told you so…” Kamoana looked at him in sadness. “Nothing I wasn’t prepared for. Seems like with the amount of Malevolence in the area and it accumulating during the Scarlett Night, I seem to be slowly turning into a daemon.” Dyle explained with a bitter smile. Sorey’s group gasped in shock. “I know the perfect place you guys could go! Tell them Sorey and Mikleo sent you and tell them your story.” Sorey said, a worried tone filling his voice. Alisha looked at him, surprised. “You mean Elysia!?” she asked, shocked. Lailah gave a small gasp, but it was so inaudible that nobody heard it, other than a certain Witch. Sorey nodded. “Gramps would take pity on them…” Mikleo said, thinking out loud. “I could take them there tomorrow if you wished?” Alisha asked. Sorey beamed at her and said “Really!? That would be great Alisha! Thanks!”

Alisha blushed hard, but gave him a shy smile. “I-It’s no problem…” She said cutely. So that’s what they planned. They all exited the inn together, only to see everyone surrounding a wounded soldier on a horse. “What’s going on!?” Alisha asked sternly, jogging to the soldier. “P-Princess A-Alisha… I-It has started…” The soldier said. “What? What has?” Alisha asked. “The empire… the Rolance Empire is attacking!” he said. “What!?” Sorey questioned. The Lord of Calamity’s group all glanced at each other. “So the war has begun…” Mikleo thought out loud. “Please… Princess… you must evacuate the town… I must head to the capital!” The soldier said. “You’re injured. It’s too dangerous!” Sorey said, stepping forward. “There’s no time to waste!” the soldier stated. Sorey looked back a Lailah who shook her head.

Sorey looked at the ground in anger. Velvet watched Sorey’s attitude, waiting to see what he is about to do. Sorey then looked at Lailah again and she nodded. Both of them walked to the soldier, armatizing while doing so. “Be careful.” Sorey said, offering the wounded soldier his hand. When the soldier grabbed his hand, Sorey healed him while saying “Don’t do anything reckless.” The soldier, shocked that he felt a million times better, nodded to the worried Shepherd and went on his way. “Thank you…” The soldier said as he left. “We better go inform the mercenaries.” Edna said, her umbrella closed and on her shoulder. The young Shepherd nodded. As the Shepherd and his group went to confront The Woodsmen, Velvet and the others exited the city. “What now Velvet? Do we help them?” Laphicet asked, worried about his sister’s reaction. “I’ll be needed there at the front line, absorbing the Malevolence that flows off from the soldiers. I can almost feel the hatred and strife from here…” the Lady Calamity explained.

“Hmm… and if I have a guess… The current Lord of Calamity should be there as well, creating more Malevolence.” Magilou stated, thinking of possible outcomes. “I wonder where Rokurou is as well. It’s not like him to avoid a battle as well.” Eizen questioned. “He’ll probably show up during it.” Eleanor stated, thinking of their war daemon companion. “Wow Velvet! Who knew that you had a strong group of friends!” Laphicet laughed out. Velvet playfully scowled at her little brother and messed with his hair. “Shut up you.” She said, a smile on her face. They heard noises behind them and turned around. Everyone was evacuating the city. “Wow! That was fast!” Kamoana said with fascination. Sorey and his group exited and approached them with a confident smile. His Seraph’s followed him, along with Alisha. “And thanks to The Woodsmen, the city is cleared!” he said with his grin.

“Nice job Shepherd.” Eizen commented. “Excuse me!” said a stern, cocky male voice. Everyone looked in the direction to see a group of soldiers and a man on horseback approach them. The man had brown hair, tanned skin, a scar over his left eye and wearing military clothing. Alisha gasped. “General Landon…” she mumbled. “I am Commander General Landon of the Hyland Army. Is the Shepherd with you?” Landon asked with distaste in his voice. Sorey stepped forward and said “That would be me.” Landon smirked as the guards moved forward. They surrounded a certain female. The citizens, along with the Woodsmen and Sparrowfeathers watched from the sidelines. “You, huh?” Landon questioned. “Does your business with a Shepherd really require so many soldiers, General Landon?” the leader of the Woodsmen, Lucas, asked. “You’re that sell-sword Lucas of the Shrub-boys, aren’t you?” Landon asked with disdain. “Any ways, back to business.” He added.

“Apprehend her!” Landon yelled. The guards grabbed the female and put her arms behind her back forcefully. “Hey! Let me go! What is the meaning of this General!?” she asked. “Hey!” Velvet yelled. “Let her go!” Kamoana yelled, fearing the poor girl’s life. “On suspicion of using the Shepherd to foment discord against the state…” A soldier read from a documentation’ “… As well as assisting the Rolance Empire with its invasion, Lady Alisha is to be detained and brought back to the capital for questioning.” Alisha struggled in her confines as the soldiers moved her away from the crowd. Fury and anger had filled her being. “That’s nonsense! Alisha would never do such a thing!” Sorey yelled, fury in his eyes. The soldier that read the documentation took a step back, fearing for his life. Landon looked bored. “It is not an arrest Shepherd. Merely and interrogation.” He replied. “This is unjust!” Medissa hissed with anger.

“Well this certainly stinks to high heaven…” Edna stated coolly. Lailah agreed with her. “But, if the Shepherd, were to say, wield his power to deliver victory for our troops, it would most likely assuage any suspicions we might have.” Landon replied, an evil smirk on his face. “This isn’t right!” Dyle yelled with anger. “Damn Bartlow…” Alisha muttered, dragged away from view. “Why you-“ Mikleo started to say, until he started hearing Sorey’s heartbeat increase do to his anger. “Sorey let us do what he says.” Lailah commented. “We probably don’t have a choice. If Alisha were to die at their hands…” Edna added, trailing off. “Yes. We all know that Sorey would blame himself for it.” Lailah finished. Velvet looked surprised. A Shepherd with a heart? Unheard of to her.

“And if that were to happen, even someone like Sorey could become corrupted with Malevolence…” Mikleo explained, thinking of the negative effects. Eizen frowned at that. “That’s it, right?” Mikleo asked. “If the Shepherd is corrupted by Malevolence, it will guide the whole world to ruin…” Edna replied. “… Faster the even war could accomplish.” She stated darkly. “The sooner we end this the better. We can make this work. After all, you’ve got us with you.” Mikleo told Sorey. “As well as us.” Velvet said, catching Sorey’s attention. She nodded at him and he nodded back. “If I fight, do I have your guarantee Alisha will be released?” Sorey asked, a glare directed at Landon. “IF you bring us victory, then yes.” Landon said, his evil grin growing.

“We’re coming to.” Lucas stated, walking up to stand beside Sorey. “Sorry, but it just ain’t in our blood to turn tail and run. We ‘sell-swords’ have built up too much pride in too many battles for that.” He said. “Very well. But I’m in charge here. You had better not forget that.” Landon said through gritted teeth. Landon turned his horse around. “Well then, Shepherd, I’ll be waiting on the battlefield.” He stated, allowing the horse to walk away.  Sorey looked down, anger fueling his fire. “Hey, cheer up, buddy! With the Woodsmen on the job, the Shepherd won’t even have to lift a finger!” Lucas told Sorey. With that said, he walked off and Lailah replaced him. “Sorey. Please hold your head up high.” She said. “I told you didn’t I? You’ve got us with you.” Mikleo replied. “As well as us.” Velvet said, walking to him with her group.

To this, the Shepherd looked up in surprise. “You’re coming?” Eleanor smiled and said “Of course.” “Do you guys think you can head to Ladylake to make sure Alisha is alright?” Eizen asked Dyle. The man nodded. “We got this!” Kamoana said with a big smile. “They have tied your hands, so we’ll tie theirs, spark a thought of rebellion against the Hyland Council.” Medissa said, a smile on her face. Orthie and Russ both barked with their tails wagging excitedly. “Ugh… all this needless work is making me exhausted…” Magilou stated, sagging forward. “Then you don’t have to come Magilou.” Laphicet commented, looking at the witch with an annoyed look. Magilou gasped and looked at him, shocked. “That’s my little brother!” Velvet said, laughing. Sorey looked at them and smiled. “Well then, don’t we have a war we need to join?” Edna asked, walking past Sorey and towards Glaivend Basin. The Shepherd and the Lord of Calamity made their way to the war front, saying goodbye to the others and the citizens. Little did they know, they had a shadow following them.

Upon reaching the Hyland base camp, they could hear the fighting taking place. Roars, shouts and the banging of metal on metal was heard. They reported to the main tent and talked to Landon. They were to enter the battle and help the Woodsmen. Upon hearing this, Sorey rushed out, going straight to help them. Velvet and her companions followed, Laphicet joining them. Sorey jumped into the battle, distracting the Rolance army from backing the Woodsmen into a corner. “Luzrov Rulay!” He shouted, conjoining with Mikleo. He swiftly got into battle. Velvet was quick to follow. “Quick! Get out of here!” she yelled at them. All of them nodded and quickly retreated. “My name is Velvet Crowe… The first Lord of Calamity!” she yelled, summoning her deamon arm and attacking the frightened Rolance troops with Sorey. “Sorey!” yelled Eleanor, protecting the Shepherd’s back against any attacking soldiers. “Thanks Eleanor!” he thanked, taking down the transformation with Mikleo to conjoin with Lailah. Eizen protected Velvet as she went in, attacking fast. Magilou was left with babysitting duty, sending Artes at any soldiers coming towards her and Laphicet. The little boy helped as well, using the Artes he remembered from that time as Innominat.

“Retreat! RETREAT!” a Rolance Captian yelled in fear. “Monsters!” another exclaimed. All of them ran away, telling everyone. Rolance retreated as Hyland gave a victory cry. The only few that didn’t yell were the Lord of Calamity and the Shepherd. Velvet looked emotionless as Sorey gave a neutral face, but despair was clear in his eyes. “It’s over.” Edna stated. “It is.” Eizen agreed. “The Malevolence is still too thick…” Laphicet said with sadness. “Their senses will be numbed.” Velvet replied. “Then we have to quell the Hellions.” Sorey stated. “Sorey…” Lailah said with worry. “Are you sure?” Eleanor asked, fear in her voice. "Well, I guess I’ll stick with you just this once.” Mikleo replied with a smile. “Thanks, Mikleo…” Sorey said with a thankful look. Then Magilou felt a presence. “Come on out Rokurou!” she yelled. Velvet turned to Maiglou as said war daemon made his appearance.

A man jumped from a cliff behind them that was at least 60 feet in the air. He landed with a loud thump and dust flew away from him. “You guys deal with the Hellions. We got him.” Eizen said, cracking his knuckles. A deadly look was on his face. “Are you sure?” Lailah asked. The man drew out two daggers and left the two broadswords on his back alone. “Oh, this is about to be fun!” Magilou said with an evil grin, summoning her guardian. “Sorey… I think we should run.” Mikleo warned. The man looked up at them through his midnight dark hair, one red eye shining. “Yup!” Sorey yelled, running as fast as he could. “Oh dear. This will be bloody.” Eleanor commented, an excited look in her eyes. “Let’s dance!” Rokurou yelled, going in for an attack. “Bring it!” They all yelled, jumping in to the battle.