Midnight Paragon
Savior of Dusk
It has been only three years since the defeat of Nergal; since a ragtag group of warriors from all over Elibe joined forces in an effort to stop that plan from coming to fruition. They were led by three noble souls, heroes in their own right: Eliwood, son of the Marquess of Pherae; Hector, brother of Uther, and last remaining heir to Ostia; and Lyndis, a plainswoman turned Noble for her family. Together, these three slew the dragon that made it past the Dragons Gate, and sealed it away for good...but at the cost of a good friends life. As the Archsage Athos lay dying in their arms, he revealed to them a vision: an evil star shines over Bern. Despite their victory, would it truly be the last...?
This was what was constantly on Hectors mind, even as he took the throne his brother left behind and did his best to try and keep Ostia, and the rest of the Lycian League, stuck together. Hector felt that he would have failed long ago if not for the wisdom of his aide, Oswin, who had stuck by his side ever since Elbert went missing three years ago, and the council of his greatest friend Eliwood, who upon his return home was made the Marquess of Pherae. In fact, it was Eliwoods idea to have this little festival in the first place, but even as Hector donned his ceremonial armor, armor that reminded him much of Uthers, he couldnt help but doubt if this really was a good idea. He knew the people needed good cheer in the times of rebuilding, and he wanted to prove he could be a good leader for them; but he had never really been one for festivals. Tournaments, sure, and this festival was even going to have one with it (though he wasnt allowed to participate), but he certainly wasnt an entertainer. Hector sighed as he examined himself in the mirror, his dark blue hair brushed back neatly, and the small beard he had been growing on his chin had been groomed well. The green and purple of the armor sent memories of Uther back into his mind, and his face fell for a moment.
A large hand clasped his shoulder; a man with age now showing in his face and wearing large orange armor stood by his side.
"I know that face." Said Oswin to Hector, the elder of the two giving him a soft smile. "You mustn't bring yourself down, milord. Today is a day to celebrate the lives of all Lords of Ostia, Lord Uther included. He would be proud of the way you've kept the League together." Said the armored man to the other.
"Perhaps. Uther wasnt a man for frivolity. I only hope he approves of us doing this for him." Said Hector to his aid, and Oswin nodded before walking to the door and opening it for the two of them. The pair walked through the brightly lit halls of Castle Ostia all the way to its front, where other armored Knights stood waiting. Hector checked to see if his axe still was at his side; sure enough, it hung loosely by his belt. With everything in order, the Knights pushed the gate open for them, allowing the sunlight to break through.
The festival was already in full swing; commoners talked, ate, and danced while their children played. Hector even spied some of the more elderly people making a small ring near the statue of Roland, the founder of Ostia, where they would place food and other items as offerings to the previous Lords. There was quite the bustle about the normally quieter town, but Hector was glad to see it. As they made their way down the steps, a rider dressed in blue upon a white steed stopped in front of them. His mane of red hair was accented by a small, golden crown, but his smile grew larger as he laid his eyes upon Hector, his old friend. Hector laughed as the man slid off his steed and the two shared a hug. "Eliwood, you red haired bastard! What brings you to Ostia?" He asked his friend, who gave him a puzzled expression.
"What, and miss a chance to see the great Hector out of his element? Not on your life, mister! Besides, I had to see how my idea worked out." He said gesturing to the festival as a squire appeared seemingly out of nowhere to take his horse. Hector laughed as the two began to take a walk, Oswin following close behind.
This was what was constantly on Hectors mind, even as he took the throne his brother left behind and did his best to try and keep Ostia, and the rest of the Lycian League, stuck together. Hector felt that he would have failed long ago if not for the wisdom of his aide, Oswin, who had stuck by his side ever since Elbert went missing three years ago, and the council of his greatest friend Eliwood, who upon his return home was made the Marquess of Pherae. In fact, it was Eliwoods idea to have this little festival in the first place, but even as Hector donned his ceremonial armor, armor that reminded him much of Uthers, he couldnt help but doubt if this really was a good idea. He knew the people needed good cheer in the times of rebuilding, and he wanted to prove he could be a good leader for them; but he had never really been one for festivals. Tournaments, sure, and this festival was even going to have one with it (though he wasnt allowed to participate), but he certainly wasnt an entertainer. Hector sighed as he examined himself in the mirror, his dark blue hair brushed back neatly, and the small beard he had been growing on his chin had been groomed well. The green and purple of the armor sent memories of Uther back into his mind, and his face fell for a moment.
A large hand clasped his shoulder; a man with age now showing in his face and wearing large orange armor stood by his side.
"I know that face." Said Oswin to Hector, the elder of the two giving him a soft smile. "You mustn't bring yourself down, milord. Today is a day to celebrate the lives of all Lords of Ostia, Lord Uther included. He would be proud of the way you've kept the League together." Said the armored man to the other.
"Perhaps. Uther wasnt a man for frivolity. I only hope he approves of us doing this for him." Said Hector to his aid, and Oswin nodded before walking to the door and opening it for the two of them. The pair walked through the brightly lit halls of Castle Ostia all the way to its front, where other armored Knights stood waiting. Hector checked to see if his axe still was at his side; sure enough, it hung loosely by his belt. With everything in order, the Knights pushed the gate open for them, allowing the sunlight to break through.
The festival was already in full swing; commoners talked, ate, and danced while their children played. Hector even spied some of the more elderly people making a small ring near the statue of Roland, the founder of Ostia, where they would place food and other items as offerings to the previous Lords. There was quite the bustle about the normally quieter town, but Hector was glad to see it. As they made their way down the steps, a rider dressed in blue upon a white steed stopped in front of them. His mane of red hair was accented by a small, golden crown, but his smile grew larger as he laid his eyes upon Hector, his old friend. Hector laughed as the man slid off his steed and the two shared a hug. "Eliwood, you red haired bastard! What brings you to Ostia?" He asked his friend, who gave him a puzzled expression.
"What, and miss a chance to see the great Hector out of his element? Not on your life, mister! Besides, I had to see how my idea worked out." He said gesturing to the festival as a squire appeared seemingly out of nowhere to take his horse. Hector laughed as the two began to take a walk, Oswin following close behind.
