To fight for the people, not for the money

Roleplay blog for Ike from the Tellius games. Lives in the town as a mercenary. Affiliated with The Officers Academy.

[radiantpaths]

radiantpaths — a roleplay blog for Ike from the Tellius duology. a mercenary who lives in town. affiliated with The Officers Academy. wielded by Cyan (he/her/they idm) also available on @peerlesssamurai (Ryoma) & @surebow (Innes)

PLEASE USE MINIMAL FORMATING WITH ME. i can't read coloured fonts. i cannot read double-spaced posts. i don't mind bolding and small text (and italics for emphasis) but that is IT. i will match your formatting if you don't like small text/prefer i use bolded text

mobile links:

about || stats || thread tracker || headcanons || mun

(last updated: 30/03/2026)

KEY STUFF:

Ike is set about a year post RD. He's set in his solo ending.

Ike is not currently in a relationship, and I don't want to change that for the moment. Any possible ship be it TOA canon or AU will be tagged "Ike & [partner muse]".

I do not want Ike/Soren mentioned in any capacity. I don't like the ship, and I'd rather it was kept away from me.

I'm assuming all supports are at A unless specified.

Do NOT make jokes about Aimee. How she speaks to Ike in canon is inappropriate, especially as a minor.

All asks are assumed canon unless it's either specified as an AU, or it's romantic in nature (in which case it's AU automatically)

[radiantpaths]

Housekeeping Post Ball

Hello hello! I've been less active than I'd like due to panicking over vacation, then going on said vacation. I intend on replying to all asks. I intend on continuing all threads - if you no longer have any interest, please let me know.

I'm on my way home now so anything else will have to wait til tomorrow. Thank you!!

[radiantpaths]

[ PHOTO-ARTIFEX ]

"do you even remember how to smile?" sanaki gripes without real heat, peering at her erstwhile general through the viewfinder. "please try your best for my sake. it's not often you clean up so nicely." and even less often, that she obtains something to remember him by.

satisfied with the framing if not with the drab look on his face, she presses the trigger, and dashes towards her spot in the picture with a skip in her step.

The 'cleaning up' had hardly been Ike's choice. Somehow, he ends up at these things. Somehow, he's wrestled into looking nice. Somehow, it doesn't end with him absolutely losing it.

He tugs at the bottom of his tunic, as if hoping it'll fit him better if he does. He doesn't know how this will look - he's only had to sit through a portrait once, but at least this will take moments. Apparently.

He tries not to look drab. No matter what he does, he feels like a hostage. He stares blankly at the thing, arms rigid at his side, jaw tight, lips turned downwards. A flash of light, and something pops out of it. It's over, Ike assumes, as he wanders over to the thing.

Sanaki looks fine, a typical empress. Ike looks like something is shoved deep inside of him, and that is the only thing keeping him upright. Embarrassed, he shoves the portrait at Sanaki.

"Thanks." Even to his own ears, he sounds stiff. "I'm gonna go and... mingle, I guess."

This whole ordeal is humiliating. When can he leave, again?

[sanakialtina]

Hang on. "Ike, wait---!"

The empress allows herself a single indulgent snicker at the photo in her hands, before turning to run after the man's turned back. Her footwear of choice tonight is not well suited to such an activity, but she is nothing if not determined.

"I always pay well for blackmail," she says once she comes to a stop, voice serious as ever but a teasing glimmer in her eyes. The tulip she offers is a little misshapen, but, truly, is Ike really going to care?

"Here." she smiles, forces the rest of the words from her throat. "...And as thanks for all you've done for me."

[radiantpaths]

"Blackmail?" Ike rubs the back of his neck. "Come on, Empress." Maybe she wouldn't; maybe she's just teasing. It's hard to tell with her. She offers him a bent flower, but why would he care? "I'm not really collecting these things." He stashes the flower among the others anyway, its wonkiness standing out.

He can't help but relate to it.

"Thanks anyway. You know I'd help you like I help anyone." It's part of his creed, passed down from his father. "Just don't call for me again when it's world-ending." His face remains stony, but he's trying to joke around. Trying.

Ike has never been good at sleight of hand, but he waits for when Sanaki is no longer paying attention to him. He threads a dethorned rose between her hair and her circlet-thing. It's bright red, reminding Ike of the usual red headband and robes that she wears.

It looks ill-fitting, somehow, but Ike is gone before she can even notice it.

[radiantpaths]

ball tracker (Ike has roses)

Rose: Lianna

Orchid: Rowan, Henry

Lily: byleth

Hyacinth: Seadall

Tulip: Sanaki, Tamamo

i'm happy to carry on any asks into a mini, or even if you want to start a mini instead of an ask. i'm also happy to keep stuff as standalone; this goes across the board! happy ball!

[radiantpaths]

someone who understands

ethereal ball — 2026

[crested-flames]

Does that mean that he read him wrong? To the side his head cants and he looks him over once again. No, people aren't that simple. It must just be another facet of him. "Outside is familiar and refreshing."

"All of those flower scents mingle with perfumes and colognes." Byleth's shoulders shrug. "I dont think unscented air exists in there anymore."

That does remind him of his own bouquet in front of him. Lilies. They almost remind him of Lady Rhea's.

[radiantpaths]

"It stinks," Ike says. "I don't know how they can stand it." It smells of rotting flowers, of sweat, and yes, of expensive fragrances. Cloying, suffocating, all the trappings of nobility that Ike will never miss.

"Out here is better. You can breathe, you don't have to perform." Ike rubs the back of his neck. "Sorry. I shouldn't complain." He wants to, considering it's not like it had been his choice to be here in the first place.

[radiantpaths]

someone who understands

ethereal ball — 2026

[crested-flames]

On those jobs, he had always been relegated to the post outside. There was no need to guard the inside if the enemy could never breach the doors in the first place.

The cool air is familiar against his face and the evening sky a welcome friend. People walk and scurry past, most so wary of a presence on this path that they trip and skitter to try and hide from his gaze.

Well, what is the fun in sneaking off if there's no associated danger? So long as they think he'll give chase, it should make a fun story for them.

It's a little strange then to have someone come up and acknowledge him, nod even. He nods in return before turning back to look up at the sky. Maybe this was a diversion for someone else to sneak by. A small smile crosses his lips at the thought of the students evolving over the night.

After a while of focus(maybe he was making sure Byleth didn't see the others) the man turns away. It is only then that he speaks. "Is this a more familiar place than inside?"

[radiantpaths]

Ike startles at the sound of the man speaking. He doesn't know why he didn't expect it, only that he didn't. His eyes trail up at the sky, though there's no focus in his gaze.

"Inside is too familiar." It's as close to a confession as Ike can get; the drop of blue in his blood that he can't seem to wash away. It's in events like this that he feels that shade now: not quite the blue-blood of nobility, but strangely, he no longer feels like a commoner. If he looks down at his veins, he expects streaks of purple instead of blue.

"Out here isn't so damn hot." Ike already burns like a furnace, he doesn't need the combined body heat of Garreg Mach sticking to his skin. "What about you?"

[radiantpaths]

someone who understands

ethereal ball — 2026

[radiantpaths]

Outside. The outside is wonderful.

Ike breathes in the cold air, crystalising his lungs. When he exhales, his breath swirls out before him, free. This is the last time he'll allow Darios to talk him into anything.

There are students running past him; in groups, alone, or in cheeky couples trying to escape faculty's prying gazes. Ike can't say anything: how many times had he escaped from Titania, from Oscar, from Greil, for his fun. He says nothing, he sees nothing, he is enjoying the fresh air.

There's someone else out here, too, who doesn't seem to be heading back in. Ike can't tell if the man is faculty, a knight, or just some guy like Ike is. He nods in greeting, but says nothing else.

The light filters out of the ballroom, casting a warm light on the stranger. He seemed otherworldly, almost. Ike decides he's been staring too long, and looks off into the distance.

@crested-flames

[radiantpaths]

[ GRISTONNE ] In the midst of the turbulent music, Henry's voice cuts through.

"WOAH. Is that an actual sword?" A mere second is all it takes, and Henry stands right in front of Ike, steps sloppy from his bout of wild laughter. "Did ya come here to fight? I did, too! So where are the fights happening? Do you know?"

Pause, and he pulls out a stem of (somewhat crushed) orchids and hands it over — as if it is a bribe. "...Can you tell me please?"

When the music gets like that, Ike realises this is his cue to get out of there. He needs a breath of fresh air, a drink, anything but being here. Why did he let himself be talked into this? He could leave, even.

When a voice stops him - and if not the voice, then the man himself stopping him. Baffled, Ike stops in his tracks. "What?" Ike looks at his sword. "No, it's ceremonial; they took away my sword." It had been the one amenity that Ike had asked for before agreeing to this horrible ball, and now even that's gone.

He looks at the crushed purple flower. Me too, he thinks as he looks at it.

"There's no fights, sorry. Trust me, I'd be there if there was."

[radiantpaths]

[ OSTIA ] - An Ostian court dance where the leading partner wields a ceremonial sword as a part of the routine. This dance, meant to resemble a knight with his lady, is getting some attention from the students of Fódlan.

As if Ike would pass up an opportunity to bring a sword.

Naturally, the sword gets confiscated from him before he can even enter, but it's swapped with a ceremonial sword with a promise his real sword will be returned to him later.

He's never been much of a dancer, and less the type to enjoy a fancy ball. Still, here he is, willing or not. He at least knows how to dance, even if the lessons also had been unwilling. Even if he's not having fun, it doesn't mean he can't help others have fun, too.

He spots Seadall in the crowd. Ike realises belatedly, embarrassingly, that he knows so little about a man he feels like he spent an eternity with.

No time like the present, right?

"I can't pretend I can dance," Ike tells him, "but I can try." Seadall looks the type who can dance, and maybe it won't be too bad. If it is, maybe it'll be a good laugh, rather than painful humiliation.

He bows as he takes Seadall's hand, like a knight to his lord. Can he still remember this dance? He can give it his best shot. Ike's free hand unsheathes the sword, before pulling Seadall in close. (This is too close, it's weird. His whole body feels like it's breaking out in hives. Ike swallows the discomfort down, as much as he can.)

With a protective arm around Seadall's waist, they twirl, as if gracefully avoiding the attacks of enemy soldiers together. Each step, each turn, it's all in time with the music - at least, Ike thinks it's in time. His eyes are somewhere far away as he tries to think of something else, anything else, to distract from the embarrassment crawling up and down his skin.

Maybe after this, he can get a drink.

Or three.

For now, Ike carefully tucks a rose inside Seadall's pocket as they dance, and hopes he won't notice until Ike is long gone.

[radiantpaths]

[ PHOTO-ARTIFEX ]

"do you even remember how to smile?" sanaki gripes without real heat, peering at her erstwhile general through the viewfinder. "please try your best for my sake. it's not often you clean up so nicely." and even less often, that she obtains something to remember him by.

satisfied with the framing if not with the drab look on his face, she presses the trigger, and dashes towards her spot in the picture with a skip in her step.

The 'cleaning up' had hardly been Ike's choice. Somehow, he ends up at these things. Somehow, he's wrestled into looking nice. Somehow, it doesn't end with him absolutely losing it.

He tugs at the bottom of his tunic, as if hoping it'll fit him better if he does. He doesn't know how this will look - he's only had to sit through a portrait once, but at least this will take moments. Apparently.

He tries not to look drab. No matter what he does, he feels like a hostage. He stares blankly at the thing, arms rigid at his side, jaw tight, lips turned downwards. A flash of light, and something pops out of it. It's over, Ike assumes, as he wanders over to the thing.

Sanaki looks fine, a typical empress. Ike looks like something is shoved deep inside of him, and that is the only thing keeping him upright. Embarrassed, he shoves the portrait at Sanaki.

"Thanks." Even to his own ears, he sounds stiff. "I'm gonna go and... mingle, I guess."

This whole ordeal is humiliating. When can he leave, again?

[sanakialtina]

from stone, life returns

Ike + Sanaki, Pearlescent (axe +1)

[sanakialtina]

Sanaki’s feet haven’t even hit the ground before she’s shouting. “What do you think you’re doing! How dare—”

—but when her feet do hit the ground, she runs, away from the statue-turned-monstrous-creature just like he told her to. Maybe it’s trust, whatever that means between them. Maybe it’s the note of command in his voice that has her moving on instinct. Maybe it’s—

Oh, who is she trying to fool? It’s Ike. If giving him Ragnell didn’t go to his head and inflate it like a balloon animal, simply listening to him won’t, either.

In any case, with a dozen steps of harried distance, the bird seems to have lost interest in her entirely. Perhaps those stone eyes aren’t very good for seeing. A golden opportunity! With steady hands, Sanaki summons a practiced glyph, and—

Boom! A flaming stone drops from the sky, shattering the former sculpture into pieces. As it crumbles, two truths become clear. That it will never stand again, as a statue or otherwise, but also…

...The other stones begin to twitch, a synchronized slow flutter of wings. Dread settles in her stomach, heavy and sure. "Ike! They're waking up. Get out of there!"

[radiantpaths]

It's an impressive shot. Ike would take more time to appreciate it, if he didn't also notice the flutter of wings. Slowly, one by one, the statues come to life. He doesn't know how many there are, but there's one thing he does know: why they would ask a mercenary to accompany a student here.

"No. I can't - I'm here for a job." What kind of mercenary would he be if he fled from danger? One of the beasts springs from the ground and leaps for him, but he raises Ettard as a claw threatens to tear into him. Metal screeches against stone as he pulls the blade free.

"Get out of here - I can handle it!" Can he? With more and more of them rising from the rubble, Ike isn't so sure. If they're rising now, who's to say they won't terrorise the town? No. There's no other choice.

He strikes with the blunt end with all the force that he's got. The creature cracks and shatters, but that's only one of them. Shit. Shit. What have they awoken?

[grxstnnefealltoir]

from a scar to an open wound || ike & darios

-late night at the sauna-

[grxstnnefealltoir]

Darios makes sure the door behind them is closed tight before he begins to strip down.

(cw; nudity)

The first thing he pulls off is his tunic, light and breathable. The few scars he has are revealed to the world once more. Few have healed over as nicely as he would've liked but who really would ever see him like this? The last time with Ike had been... well it had been.

Since then he'd never found it in himself to even try going out again.

"I was running some drills and lost track of the time. Before I knew it the moon was that high in the sky."

[radiantpaths]

[ nudity ]

Ike doesn't look. He doesn't need to; he's seen enough. He knows some of the scars Darios bears is because of him, and he doesn't need the reminder. Besides that, it feels weird to look now - disrespectful, even.

"You need to give yourself some breaks." Ike tugs his cape from his shoulders, quickly followed by the tunic. The pants go next and, before long, Ike is comfortably bare in front of Darios.

"When was the last time we did this?" When Ike remembers the last time, his mouth clamps shut. Right, yes, as if he could forget.

[seadasu]

𓍯𓂃𓏧⏾cɾγing oveɾ ivoɾγ

toa anniversary board . gauntlet +1 . seadall/ike

[seadasu]

Contrary to what others must think of him, Seadall isn’t much of an actor. He can. He has. Though he doesn’t always possess the incredible grace of a person becoming something that they aren’t originally. The only characters he breathes to life are those that waltz through life at a pace similar to his own. To those with stories that steal his breath and occupy his every waking moment. 

He’s a performer at heart. A dancer, and if he did not believe in the art of motion and the spirits that guide him, he wouldn’t be nearly as compelling. It’s what sells you, someone once told him. The genuine aspects. Seadall over a character that he plays.

So, his answering gasp is real as he braces for sudden pain. He hadn’t expected Ike to strike at him again, and had apparently badly misread the situation. It’s only fair, isn’t it? The swordsman flows forward with an ease that suggests he’s honed these kinds of movements, and Seadall has no hope of dodging it. 

The knuckles of Ike’s clenched fists barely do more than skim his skin. It nearly tickles, how the blow finds its mark and simply stops, pressing enough to look as though it’s landed. This too, must be an impressive display of control, to stop such a powerful looking strike without doing much damage. “Ha-” He breathes, mindful to curl over the strike as if it’s winded him. It’s halfhearted, lost in the way Seadall’s expression melts towards amusement. “You got me, there, for a second.” Small fortunes, the curtain of his hair shields him from watching eyes. 

When they part, Seadall offers a tentative hand. “Thank you. Really. Come on, let’s eat. I believe we’ve…more than earned it.” No one stops them, at any rate. Seadall thinks privately that what they’ve been through should have earned them twice as much, but he’s still happy to push the plate at Ike. “Hopefully it’s worth it.”

[radiantpaths]

As if Ike would truly harm him more than he already had. That world had been fake, but they are now in the real world. In this world, what they do truly matters. Maybe this time, Ike can make a better first impression.

He has never had ill feelings towards Seadall. He doesn't intend on changing that now.

The crowd cheers, as if Seadall has been defeated. He can act, bowing as if winded. It's impressive how he moves to please the crowd - by now, they have more than earned their breakfast.

Ike isn't sure what to do about the hand offered. Is he supposed to take it, shake it, leave it there? Seadall is a man that Ike cannot read; however, he's never called himself a good reader of people. He pauses for a beat, then another, before taking Seadall's hand.

"I think after that, they owe us," Ike says. "I wonder what the limit is; I'm starving." With how packed the crowd is, he can only assume the quality of the food will be good.

Looks are always deceiving.

-thread end-

[radiantpaths]

does this tea taste a little bitter to you?

[stormofembla]

Bruno knows his reply before Ike even finishes. The words spill out of him, sloppy as they stumble atop each other, but still, it is firm in its insistence. "You won't have to."

What does Bruno have to go off of? Darios' word, carrying with it reassurance that he has control over the dragon ( that Darios is stronger than Bruno will ever be ). Zacharias' trust, knowing that Darios speaks his full truth when it comes down to his hold over Velezark. That is all he needs. He sets his jaw.

So, he echoes, "You won't. If it comes down to it, I will handle it myself." Because if all fails — if Darios' word falters, if Zacharias' trust proves naïve — Ike will not be given any opportunity to kill Darios. "You have demonstrated that it is... possible to subdue the dragon without killing him. I will find a way to do the same before we consider..."

He trails off and grimaces. No, because death should not be a consideration; because he will be strong enough to prevent it. Thus, abruptly, he pivots: "How much does he owe you?"

[radiantpaths]

Bruno says this, but he can't be certain. Ike can't be certain, either. They need to have that backup, should things go wrong. Ike doesn't want things to go wrong, but they need to be realistic. Even if those two are in love, engaged, whatever, Bruno needs to understand that love isn't always enough.

"I said I could handle it myself, too." Ike couldn't. His hands and face and clothes were soaked through with Darios' blood, and he couldn't handle it. He couldn't watch Darios die.

"I don't know what brought him back last time. I guess stabbing him made the dragon retreat, I don't know. It might not even work again." Ike wants to shake Bruno and tell him to steel himself, but he's sure Bruno is smart enough to understand. He's heard people become clouded by love, but Ike wouldn't know; he's never felt that kind of love.

Hasn't he?

"What?" Oh, right, the money. "I don't know. He gave me some money last year to cover my clothes for the ball last year." Which thankfully, he's not being dragged to this year. He doesn't need to worry about spending all that money on an outfit he'll wear once. "I didn't count it, and I don't care. I did half a job, anyway."

[grxstnnefealltoir]

all the forms of love || ike & darios

-flashback-

[grxstnnefealltoir]

( nsfw)

Darios relaxes, this is fine isn't it? Ike has never been just a normal man. Larger than life in all ways is what he should expect.

His breath hitches and he leans back into Ike's hold. "Just... a bit. I can't do it all on my own..."

He can't possibly feel such warmth on his own.

[radiantpaths]

[ nsfw ]

All of this feels surreal, a dream Ike won't wake up from. Does he want to wake up? Does he want any of this to fade like it never happened?

No. That's not what he wants.

He pushes his hips back, before rolling them back against Darios'. A shudder passes Ike's lips, ghosting against the other's shoulder.

"Are you sure you can handle it?" Because with every passing moment, so too does Ike's self control slip.

[grxstnnefealltoir]

no amount of "good boys" are getting us out of this || rowan, ike, & darios

pearlescent*

[grxstnnefealltoir]

A few choice words sit on the tip of his tongue, prying at teeth and doing all they can to be heard. Darios simply smiles. It was Ike. The man would be infuriating no matter if it was because of his own personality traits or something common to him that was not to higher nobility.

"You need not worry. Like he says, I pay him, he does his job. There's little more to be worked out." Even less when the biggest of their contract was soon coming into view.

Rowan's demonstration is as colorful as it always is. If Ike say anything about it, maybe he could make a particularly meaty treat for one of those poor dogs.

"Trial and error. I can mentally map most of the maze but we need to hit the center first. I imagine there's an easy way out from there if w-"

Rowan's head was hard but most walls were always harder. The noise is as unpleasant as it always is. Much as the Gristonnian man would like to help, he's not giving Ike any more reason to say a damn thing.

"For now follow me. There's likely a dog to our right so we'll be keeping left for a bit."

@radiantpaths

[radiantpaths]

Oh hell. Ike pinches the bridge of his nose. He can't help but be embarrassed, even if this is the sort of thing that Ike would have done at Rowan's age. Flashy moves to impress the people around him.

Until the kid smacks himself in the head.

Ike looks at Darios, silently asking his employer why they've dragged this random kid onto this mission. Great, now Ike is going to have to make sure this idiot doesn't get himself killed. Yes, that's part of his job, but he does prefer it when his clients have some sense.

"Lead the way," Ike says.

Darios had better be right. Ike isn't even sure why he trusts him, but he supposes there's no other choice. He looks at Rowan.

"Stop screwing around before you hurt yourself," Ike tells him.

@sybellion

[radiantpaths]

wilted and withered, for you // ike & darios

-hanahaki au- from here

[grxstnnefealltoir]

Panic sets in faster than he can push it away. Ike considers. When Darios offers, it always feels as if he does.

What had been such an easy task for a man with as shallow a heart as Darios sends Ike into an attack of the likes Darios hasn't seen before and he curses himself for his lack of ability to help.

The hand that grabs onto him is desperate, he isn't sure how to answer it, he never will be.

Choked breaths return to Ike and all Darios can do is stare hopelessly. "That's what hating him gets you?" He almost wanted to laugh. "That's really... is a true love you have."

He tries not to sound so bitter.

"Is it any good if it's going to end you?" His eyes held onto Ike's hoping to drag him into the depths.

[radiantpaths]

Ike shakes his head. "Not hate." Ike can't hate Darios, even if he tries. He has tried. He tried to hate his stupid haircut, and his horrible sense of humour. He tried to hate how uppity he can be. He has tried to hate everything about Darios.

Ike is still here, choking on his own feelings. It ends when his life does.

"I don't know if it's true love, but it's..." He swallows, but it hurts: the flowers' poison has torn through him this time. He'll be fine, he tells himself, though he doesn't know how much longer that fine will last for.

"I don't know. I like him, but we're just friends. That's all it has to be." He wonders what Darios would say if he knew. He'd probably laugh in Ike's face, before rejecting him. That would kill him - quite literally.

At least this way, he has a few more weeks, a little more time. He can figure it out before it's too late.