The Savior King

"Justice is not reason enough to battle. I firmly believe that." ((closed rp blog))

[the-savior-king]

ooc - update

I feel like I kinda owe y’all an explanation bc of my prolonged absence for the past few months, mostly cause I feel bad about how little I’ve been replying. So I moved back into the dorms and started classes again in the middle of August and for a while I worked at Spirit Halloween as assistant manager. I had to quit bc I wasn’t getting all of my work done and one professor in particular was being a real dick about dead lines (and high-key threatened to flunk us out of the major). So I quit spirit about a week ago so I could get caught up and take care of my mom, who just had knee replacement surgery. And bc of the presidential debate tonight, the entire campus is shut down and my professors aren’t really having anything due this week bc we can’t work in our studios wHICH MEANS I’LL ACTUALLY HAVE TIME TO WRITE THIS WEEK. So yeah... that's also why I haven’t been active in the discord chat lately and I didn’t wanna drop this in general... so yeah that’s that

[birusabi]

A piece I did for an FE3H themed playing card project on Twitter, featuring baby Dimitri and friends. Despite everything that Dimitri’s been through, I like to think that he has lots of happy childhood memories as well

[galateaswings]

the-savior-king​:

After listening to Ingrid’s retort, he watched, almost impressed, as the pegasus knight took out a large handful of enemy soldiers in a mere instant. Without much thought, Dimitri took out the stragglers effortlessly. He stood for a few minutes with his back turned towards Ingrid.

He could almost feel the blood soaking through his gauntlets, even though there wasn’t a single drop on them. Dimitri had first encountered the strange sensation after quelling a rebellion so many years ago. Back then, the young prince did everything he could to try and wash off the blood but the feeling never went away, only dulled. Over the past fives years, it had no longer become a bother to him. My hands will never be clean, will they? he thought to himself. I could wash my hands in the ocean, only to turn the waters red.

Dimitri’s mind shifted back to what Ingrid had said. She’s wrong, the voices seemed to say. Of course, she was wrong. How many others had told him that? His father, Glenn, and even Dedue he believed to be more than capable fighters and yet death caught up with all of them.

“You think I haven’t heard that line before?” he said as he gripped his lance. “Look at what happened to everyone else I cared about…” Dimitri muttered under his breath.

The moment the last of the soldiers were slain, Ingrid did not hesitate to pierce the earth with her lance and lean all of her weight against her trusty silver weapon in an effort to relieve her fatigue. Closing her eyes, one breath after another tumbled from her lips, and she focused only on composing herself. After a few moments of silent meditation, her breathing and heartbeat steadied. Though she was still exhausted, her body aching from constant marching, she at the very least, no longer felt close to collapse. Straightening, Ingrid drew her lance from the ground, returning it to its place upon her back. She would have to maintenance later, once they had safely returned to their base of operations.

Ingrid only lifted her head at the sound of His Highness’s muttering, and her features twisted into a frown, her own spirits falling. She knew all too well the pain he felt. Glenn had always, always promised to return home safely, every time he was deployed. Then, one day, he did not return. His death had been one she had lamented so deeply that she neglected herself for months, locking herself away and finding no joy in anything she had previously loved; not even her beloved horse. If she wouldn’t have recovered from her sorrow, would she have become as Dimitri is now?

“Life is fleeting. There is a thin line between life and death,” Ingrid replied quietly, stepping forward slowly, carefully, “as people, we can only do everything we can to hold onto the promises we make to others. Those promises that were made to you…I am certain they had every intention of keeping them.” She paused in her steps when she was a mere pace behind him, drawing in both a breath and her courage.

“At times, soldiers and knights must fight and die on behalf of their king. Their lives must be used for the greater good–this is something any good king understands innately. Any king who doesn’t allow people to die on his behalf is too soft to rule well,” She paused, “but…I chose to serve you because of how you are. You care about your people and those who serve you above all else. As a knight, I will stand by your side, and uphold our soft–hearted ideals.”

[the-savior-king]

Keeping his back towards Ingrid, Dimitri took a knee to rest for a moment. He left out a deep exhale as he sensed her moving forward. “Hmph. If you’re as unfortunate as I am, that line does not exist. The dead will know peace only after they are avenged.”

In truth, Dimitri was tired of it all: the voices, the nightmares, the stench of death. Death... it followed him everywhere. The headaches grew more and more frequent, often becoming migraines. Ever since he was a boy he had the same metallic taste coating his mouth. Dimitri couldn’t even recall the last time he had gotten a decent night’s sleep. Sometimes he felt that fighting so recklessly would’ve ended his suffering all together. But alas, even he wasn’t that lucky.

“The age of chivalry and comradery is dead. Half of the country followed that Witch out of cowardice and weakness. If I have just as much blood on my hands as Edelgard then what does that make for the people of Faerghus? Do they really want a broken king in charge?”

[the-savior-king]

restoration-prince​:

the-savior-king​:

Training Troubles | Dimitri and Ephraim

@restoration-prince

Dimitri walked into the training room during his free period. It was his favorite pass-time that allowed him to de-stress from a full day of classes. He wasn’t sure what it was about holding a lance that made him forget all of his duties. Perhaps because it held a promise of something more than a life of royal duties and diplomacy. 

While he started his usual warm-ups, he couldn’t help but notice another boy that was training. He was about the same height as himself, perhaps a bit older. Dimitri hadn’t seen him around the monastery before but his hair was a kin to Caspar’s. He had never personally met the heir of House Bergliez, he supposed the two could be related. If he had seen Caspar train with a lance more then he could probably say they were trained in the same territory. The same had been true for him and his friends growing up, at least.

Instead of overthinking it more, Dimitri walked up to the stranger during a break. “Pardon, my interrupting, but I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before. Are you, by chance, a son of Count Bergliez?” he asked to confirm his theory.

Ephraim had instances where he loved to visit other areas and practice different types of lance training. He wanted a vast knowledge on everything that he could get his hands on. Although, actual sit down lectures were rather difficult. His attention span couldn’t handle sitting through a talking lecture. He’d rather try his lance at a new territory. As long as he was granted access to the area, he was more than happy to train.

Although his clothing was a bit off, he had asked a guard for a change of clothes which had been the typical standard clothing for where he was. Garreg Mach Monastery, where kids came to train and help their country of Fodlan. What a wonderful concept, Ephraim had thought to himself. Changing into the proper attire, he had a few days on campus until he needed to return to Magvel.

He had found the training room rather simple after asking a few people to help guide him. Magvel and Fodlan were so far off distance wise that no one here would possibly know that he was King of Renais. He was perfectly content with that, no hold barred then for him. No one would be concerned about harming him and then he could go all out. 

He had seen a blond haired man step into the area too, but Ephraim had decided to ignore him. If he asked anything, he would respond. But Ephraim had been the outsider and he didn’t want to seem out of place. Until the man was asking him questions that he had no idea what he was being asked. Bergliez? Surely that was a family name in Fodlan.

“Bergliez? I am… Not from that family.” Ephraim had blinked in response afterwards, he had no idea if he was in trouble or if this person was against that certain individual he was asking about. Ephraim had gripped the handle of Reginleif and slowly took a step back.

“My name is Ephraim, I’ve come here to spar, I want to learn all the lance techniques I can while I stay here temporarily. You are..?” Ephraim blinked then, oh shit, what if this guy was royalty or something and Ephraim was just seeming oblivious. That wasn’t rude of him to ask right? Ephraim sighed and rubbed the back of his head.

“Sorry, I’m not from here. From Fodlan, so don’t take it personally. I have no idea who anyone is here.”

“My apologies for the assumption. With your vigorous training, you reminded me of another student with a similar hair color. I thought by chance you two might be related.” Dimitri felt a smidge abashed by his incorrect guess. Well, you know what they say about assumptions, he thought to himself.

“Hail and well met, Ephraim. I’m Dimitri. I’m the class leader for the Blue Lions, one of the three houses here at the monastery.” He introduced himself, not disclosing that he was heir apparent. Although, Dimitri felt as if he got extremely lucky with Ephraim being interested in lance techniques. Just learning the basics from the Knight of Seiros would take months but to learn everything? Even starting knights struggled to meet the expectations of Jeralt the Bladebreaker

“I believe you’ve come to the right place then. A majority of the Knights of Seiros are from all over Fodlan so their techniques are quite diverse, though it could take a while.”

[taciturndevotee-deactivated2020]

Days Gone | Dedue & Dimitri

[taciturndevotee-deactivated2020]

The past few weeks had been nothing but a devastating blur for Dimitri. Every time he closed his eyes, there was nothing but the fire. Lord Rodrigue was kind enough to embrace the young prince like the son he had lost. Although the lord meant well, it put daggers in Dimitri’s heart to even think that he was replacing Glenn.

Keep reading

[the-savior-king]

“Trust me, Dedue, it’s no trouble at all. I am just relieved that we are both alright.” Dimitri released a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding in. He didn’t even want to think about what would happen to his new friend if the nobles declined his plea. In all honesty, it was probably Lord Rodrigue who convinced them all on his behalf. While he was furious with Dimitri for running off, he never showed any malicious intent toward Dedue. It was almost as if he was against the retaliation entirely.

Unfortunately, Dimitri knew that the other boy had no place to call home now. And while he may have saved his life in the capital, surely others outside the castle might wish him harm. But hearing that Dedue wished to stay was probably the best choice for them both.

“Alright.” the young prince agreed. “You can protect me and in return I will protect you. From here on, I’ll always have your back. Kids like us have to stick together, after all.” 

[the-savior-king]

Training Troubles | Dimitri and Ephraim

@restoration-prince

Dimitri walked into the training room during his free period. It was his favorite pass-time that allowed him to de-stress from a full day of classes. He wasn’t sure what it was about holding a lance that made him forget all of his duties. Perhaps because it held a promise of something more than a life of royal duties and diplomacy. 

While he started his usual warm-ups, he couldn’t help but notice another boy that was training. He was about the same height as himself, perhaps a bit older. Dimitri hadn’t seen him around the monastery before but his hair was a kin to Caspar’s. He had never personally met the heir of House Bergliez, he supposed the two could be related. If he had seen Caspar train with a lance more then he could probably say they were trained in the same territory. The same had been true for him and his friends growing up, at least.

Instead of overthinking it more, Dimitri walked up to the stranger during a break. “Pardon, my interrupting, but I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before. Are you, by chance, a son of Count Bergliez?” he asked to confirm his theory.

[the-savior-king]

@taciturndevotee

The collapsed chapel was a bit warmer today. The setting sun cast through the broken ceiling. As per usual, Dimitri was the only one there. Most of the army had gotten used to his sulking. A few would try to make small talk but they usually gave up and left him to his own thoughts.

Unlike the other times, he was here to contemplate the present. One of his closest friends, whom he believed perished in his place, had been alive this entire time. Now that they had been reunited, all Dimitri felt was shame. Surely, Dedue thought he was a lost cause, a wasted effort. And honestly, the boar could hardly blame him.

[the-savior-king]

No matter what had happened while Dedue was away, he refused to believe that Dimitri still wasn’t the same person that he always had been deep down. His exterior may have changed, his personality reflecting that as well, but he refused to think that the man he would willingly give his life, his everything for was as wicked as others were making him out to be. There was blood on everyone’s hands at this point, no one was truly able to escape the horrors of war.

When he had been on his own, traveling all over Fodlan to try and find His Highness, there were many people that he had to cut down before they took his life first. He hated it, didn’t find any enjoyment in doing what he had to do, but there was nothing that he could do about it. Getting back to Dimitri and being able to make sure that his dreams were fulfilled were more important than anything else. No matter what happened to him in the end, he was going to see to it that Dimitri got his revenge against the Empire, no matter what.

He had missed being by Dimitri’s side, he could count on one hand the number of times the two of them had been apart for more than a day ever since he had arrived at his castle. He knew that the other was strong enough to care for himself, had proved that time and time again, but that didn’t quell his worry for him. However, he wished that he was able to reach out to him like he had been able to before all of this had happened. He wanted to be able to be that shield for him, even if he was shielding His Highness from himself.

He reached out his hand, wanting to place his hand on his shoulder fro comfort, but dropped it down by his side after a few moments of contemplation. I wish to comfort you, Your Highness, but I do not wish to cross any boundaries. He listened to what he said, a small frown settling on his lips when he heard all of the pain and suffering that he was harboring and carrying onto alone. He could understand what it was like to have horrific scenes replaying over and over, and how hard it was to get those voices to settle.

“I am sorry, Your Highness. I did not mean to be another burden for you to bare.” His voice was soft, but there was a slight tinge of sadness to it. He hated to think that his failure to get to him quicker resulted in him believing that he had died and only adding to the guilt that he bore. “You do not have to seek vengeance for me anymore, I am here. Please let me bare that burden for you. I do not wish to see you have to carry this all by yourself, Your Highness.” He wasn’t the best with words, didn’t know what to say but he wanted to help him in anyway that he could and helping him carry the burden was what he knew how to do best.

“No Dedue, I should be the one apologizing.” Dimitri noticed his friend’s hand out of the corner of his good eye. Of course Dedue would hesitate after what I’ve become. He thought to himself. Like everyone else, he would have to re-earn Dedue’s trust. Not that he didn’t trust him but... based on Dimitri’s recent behavior, he really didn’t blame the other for hesitating. A few months ago, the boar would have impaled someone for doing such.

He turned around to his friend to look him in the eyes. Dimitri gingerly set his hands atop Dedue’s shoulders as if to reassure him that the notion would be accepted. 

While he had already apologized to the whole army, he felt that Dedue was owed a personal one. Especially, because of his foolish mindset. He had no right asking Dedue not to risk his life when that’s all Dimitri had been doing. For the past five years, the exiled prince had killed and ravaged all while throwing caution to the wind. In all honesty, Dimitri thought it pure luck that he hadn’t died in the woods alone.

“I should be apologizing for letting my need for revenge, their revenge, consume myself like this. It has led me, or rather I have led all of us, down a dark path of death and destruction. It will be hard... but I cannot ignore my responsibilities any longer. I have been neglecting not just the people of Fhirdiad but also the survivors of Duscur.”

[galateaswings]

@the-savior-king

“Your Highness, wait.” Ingrid’s stern voice echoed off the dilapidated walls of what once was a grand town just outside Garreg Mach Monastery. Broken arrows, rusted swords, and other remnants of the battle five years ago littered the ground, forgotten since the place’s abandonment. Homes that once housed pious families lay vacant, its windows shattered and doors ripped from their hinges; the aftermath of being pillaged. The oil lanterns that lit the pathways of the town had long gone dry, leaving the two bathed in only the light of the moon. The silence was overbearing.

“Do you honestly think I’d just sit back and let you disappear in search of supplies alone?” She asked, her jaw clenched tight. Her arms were taut at her sides, one hand balled into a fist while the other grasped her lance tightly. The fall of the monastery, their beloved professor vanishing, and the rise of the Empire’s conquest had severely impacted Dimitri. The childhood friend she once knew, kind and determined to become a protective king, had completely transformed into someone she didn’t recognize. Gloomy, haunted, hesitant to interact with anyone. Yet, despite these changes, Ingrid still cared for him. Her allegiance to Dimitri was not only due to his status as Faerghus’s future king, but because he was her friend. She wouldn’t idly stand-by and allow him to go off on his own.

“We can’t afford to take unnecessary risks right now,” She approached Dimitri, her eyes filled with stubborn determination, “whether you like it or not, I’m going with you, Your Highness. Not just as a soldier, but a friend. Nothing you say will change my mind.”

[the-savior-king]

Heavy, frantic breaths escaped her lungs, her chest heaving and her shoulders trembling as she desperately attempted to control both her fatigue and anger. Like a deadly avalanche of rocks crashing down on an unsuspecting traveler from the mountainside, Ingrid’s heart pounded frenetically against her rib cage, burying her chest under the uncomfortable weight of Faerghus’s dense snow. She had not just raised her voice and lost her composure to a mere friend, but to His Highness, a man that outclassed her in both strength and power. Adrenaline surged through her system as a quiet, effective reminder of what he had done to a man that could easily cripple her. Yet, again she witnessed a glimpse of Dimitri’s former self when he met her gaze. But rather than offering a sheepish, but heartfelt apology, he only responded with anger.

“How many times do I need to tell you? I am perfectly capable of protecting myself!” She reassured him, clenching her teeth as she turned to impale an enemy soldier that had attempted to sneak up behind her while in conversation. Taking advantage of the adrenaline Dimitri had inspired, Ingrid pressed forward, slashing down enemies left and right as she was able, all while carefully maneuvering herself to avoid major injuries.

With a few cuts and bruises, the two had managed to thin the enemy soldiers significantly; only a handful of stragglers remained. But that success didn’t come without a consequence. Ingrid was exhausted.

After listening to Ingrid’s retort, he watched, almost impressed, as the pegasus knight took out a large handful of enemy soldiers in a mere instant. Without much thought, Dimitri took out the stragglers effortlessly. He stood for a few minutes with his back turned towards Ingrid.

He could almost feel the blood soaking through his gauntlets, even though there wasn’t a single drop on them. Dimitri had first encountered the strange sensation after quelling a rebellion so many years ago. Back then, the young prince did everything he could to try and wash off the blood but the feeling never went away, only dulled. Over the past fives years, it had no longer become a bother to him. My hands will never be clean, will they? he thought to himself. I could wash my hands in the ocean, only to turn the waters red.

Dimitri’s mind shifted back to what Ingrid had said. She’s wrong, the voices seemed to say. Of course, she was wrong. How many others had told him that? His father, Glenn, and even Dedue he believed to be more than capable fighters and yet death caught up with all of them.

“You think I haven’t heard that line before?” he said as he gripped his lance. “Look at what happened to everyone else I cared about...” Dimitri muttered under his breath.

[the-savior-king]

@huntersvarley

It was the day of the Goddess’ Rite of Rebirth and everyone was on edge. With the rise of a mysterious threat, the class had been put to the task of guarding the monastery. They had all come to the conclusion that the enemy would target the Holy Mausoleum. While the other classes were spread out, on alert, the Blue Lions stuck close to the cathedral. It wasn’t long before there suspicions were proven right. 

The professor had greatly stressed the importance of staying in a group. At the bare minimum, they be in pair if separated. Keeping this in mind, Dimitri stayed behind to make sure there were no stragglers. His class would need all the help they could get until the knights arrived, not to mention that he couldn’t bare the thought of any of his classmates being cornered.

Among all of the guests, a familiar head of purple hair stood out. The young prince ran as fast as he could to the girl. “Bernadetta! The enemy’s in the mausoleum. You need to come with!”

[the-savior-king]

Although Bernadetta was a shut-in who tried to ignore the problems of the academy to prevent herself from full-on panicking, she was completely aware of the threatening note left on the corpse of Lanato. Bernadetta, being Bernadetta, felt extremely tense herself, occasionally breaking into a melt down when she was alone. Although she was tasked to help keep the monastery safe, the professor of the Blue Lions asked her for further assistance with the month’s mission. Why she was recommended over someone else from her house was beyond her, but she begrudgingly agreed in hopes everything could blow over faster.

The day of the Goddess’ Rite of Rebirth arrived too soon. Bernadetta didn’t feel prepared. Yet here she was, standing alongside the Blue Lions house, whom have already rushed into the mausoleum. She froze, holding her bow tight, already uncertain what to do watching so much movement. Thoughts ran through her head, thoughts that she might die, or someone else might die, or that whoever’s raiding the tomb will get away and how furious Rhea souls be if that happens.

Then she heard a voice. A deep, almost unfamiliar voice. Bernadetta squeaked in surprise as she was pulled from her thoughts. The one who stood before her was Prince Dimitri, leader of the Blue Lions house. Without thought, Bernadetta retorted,

“W-wait! I’m not ready! How many of them are there?! Wouldn’t you want me to stay back in case they run through here? Ohh, why did your professor pick me for the job?”

Dimitri noted how much the girl was panicking. Of course he knew she was prone to such behavior, he was never given the task of deescalating her anxieties. He was sure Edelgard would have no problem in times like these. Think, Dimitri. How would Edelgard handle this?

In the most calming voice he could manage, despite his increasing adrenaline, he spoke to her. “Bernadetta, I am sure the professor asked you to be here because they know that you are a capable fighter. And if the professor has faith in you, then so do I.”

The young prince glanced to the entrance to see the last of his classmates enter. He turned back to Bernadetta. “I understand your fears but right now we must make haste. The others need us right now, they’re relying on our help.”

[the-savior-king]

Remorse | Dedue and Dimitri

@taciturndevotee

The collapsed chapel was a bit warmer today. The setting sun cast through the broken ceiling. As per usual, Dimitri was the only one there. Most of the army had gotten used to his sulking. A few would try to make small talk but they usually gave up and left him to his own thoughts.

Unlike the other times, he was here to contemplate the present. One of his closest friends, whom he believed perished in his place, had been alive this entire time. Now that they had been reunited, all Dimitri felt was shame. Surely, Dedue thought he was a lost cause, a wasted effort. And honestly, the boar could hardly blame him.

[the-savior-king]

There was no part of Dedue that blamed Dimitri for anything that had happened. He would have gladly done the same thing all over again if it meant ensuring his safety since that was his only priority. He swore to him that he would protect him and ensure that he was able to accomplish his goal, however, he couldn’t help but feel like he had failed him. His Highness wasn’t the same, something had changed him, and he hadn’t been there to stop it.

He watched as the others gaze instantly focused on his scars. He never cared much about how his appearance looked, the scars an afterthought for him, but he could tell that they seemed to cause the other a great deal of pain. He didn’t blame him for any of the scars that he got. He wore them proudly, they were a sign that he had done what he needed to in order to protect His Highness, but he could tell that the other didn’t see it that way.

The two of them had always been comfortable around one another. Dimitri had given Dedue a sense of purpose and meaning again, and even though he wasn’t sure what exactly he gave him in return, he knew that they had a very strong bond with one another. However, ever since his return, it seemed as though His Highness couldn’t even bare to look at him. While his gaze remained unchanging, there was constant worry in the back of his mind. There had only been a few times where the other had been able to make proper eye contact with him, but it seemed like now just being around him was painful for him.

“I am glad that you have found a place where you are able to feel at ease, Your Highness.” He was grateful that at least this place could provide some sort of solace from the other, even though he wasn’t exactly sure what he was trying to find solace from. He took a few steps forward, moving to stand beside the other since he had turned away from him. He wasn’t trying to overstep his bounds, but he wanted to see if Dimitri was truly uncomfortable being in his presence now that he had returned.

“What are these voices that seem to haunt you? You have never spoke to me about them before.” There was still a tone of neutrality in his voice, even though there was a slight hint of care and concern as well. He had never heard the other speak about hearing voices before and couldn’t help but wonder if they were the reason that he had changed as drastically as he did.

Your Highness... It was a title he did not deserve, let alone be called that by Dedue. Dimitri noticed that his old friend had stepped closer to him. It was a nice familiar presence, calming almost. The young king had almost forgotten that it was once Dedue who hushed the voices before he found solace in the goddess’ statue. Perhaps that was why he rarely talked about them before. He had always heard them, ever since the Tragedy of Duscur, but they were never as bad until he had lost Dedue.

It took Dimitri a while before he could answer, as if contemplating whether or not he should confide in the other. Looking up at the dilapidated statue, it seemed appropriate that he should confess his demons in her presence. Like she was protecting him, healing him almost.

“The voices... they are the voices of those I have failed to protect... Glenn’s... my father’s... for a while your’s.” His voice grew quieter with every name he listed. “I guess when I thought you had died, the voices got louder... demanding vengeance...”

[galateaswings]

@the-savior-king

“Your Highness, wait.” Ingrid’s stern voice echoed off the dilapidated walls of what once was a grand town just outside Garreg Mach Monastery. Broken arrows, rusted swords, and other remnants of the battle five years ago littered the ground, forgotten since the place’s abandonment. Homes that once housed pious families lay vacant, its windows shattered and doors ripped from their hinges; the aftermath of being pillaged. The oil lanterns that lit the pathways of the town had long gone dry, leaving the two bathed in only the light of the moon. The silence was overbearing.

“Do you honestly think I’d just sit back and let you disappear in search of supplies alone?” She asked, her jaw clenched tight. Her arms were taut at her sides, one hand balled into a fist while the other grasped her lance tightly. The fall of the monastery, their beloved professor vanishing, and the rise of the Empire’s conquest had severely impacted Dimitri. The childhood friend she once knew, kind and determined to become a protective king, had completely transformed into someone she didn’t recognize. Gloomy, haunted, hesitant to interact with anyone. Yet, despite these changes, Ingrid still cared for him. Her allegiance to Dimitri was not only due to his status as Faerghus’s future king, but because he was her friend. She wouldn’t idly stand-by and allow him to go off on his own.

“We can’t afford to take unnecessary risks right now,” She approached Dimitri, her eyes filled with stubborn determination, “whether you like it or not, I’m going with you, Your Highness. Not just as a soldier, but a friend. Nothing you say will change my mind.”

[the-savior-king]

Though frustration continued to boil, turn and twist within her, Prince Dimitri’s words created a dose of cooling empathy, temporarily calming her. Just as His Highness had suffered profoundly from the impact of death, Ingrid too was painfully aware of the agony that followed the loss of life. The Tragedy of Duscar had been difficult enough to recover from and the war had spared them no pain. For those reasons alone, Ingrid could empathize with his desperate need to protect his remaining friends. However, Prince Dimitri also had a responsibility to his nation, one that he was shirking by behaving so recklessly with these unnecessary risks. How could she possibly flee and leave the future King of Faerghus alone in a battle in which he was clearly disadvantaged? Ingrid’s eyebrows drew together, her lips tugging into a frown. Utterly ridiculous. She refused to allow His Highness to take such a great risk for the protection of a minor noble with a waning bloodline.

Ingrid did not flinch when Prince Dimitri mercilessly cut down the enemy beside her, nor when he glared at her with a crazed expression, making his senseless demands. Within this emotionally crippled, destructive man, she knew her friend remained. One that would act responsibility and not foolishly make decisions as a result of irrational emotion. If he refused to show that part of him, Ingrid would take responsibility for him. Stepping forward, she grasped the collar of his cape, pulling him downward to her height.

“Neither will I! I will not abandon you. Nothing you say will change my mind.” She retorted, raising her own voice. She was committed to her beliefs without doubt. She knew in her heart this was the right decision–whether His Highness agreed or not. Ingrid only withdrew for a moment to plunge her lance through an enemy that had nearly interrupted them, before returning her attention to him. She slapped her hand hard on her breastplate, her eyes fiery with emotion.

“I have fought too hard to allow our King to get himself killed. My friend,” She stressed, releasing him to grip her lance with both hands, “so you can either work with me, or fight me every step of the way. The choice is yours.”

Dimitr shifted his focus back to the decreasing amount of soldiers. They had talked long enough. If they’re talking persisted, one of them would become too distracted to defend against the threat. Ingrid would just become another casualty and Dimitri refused to be killed at the hands of these lowly soldiers. He’d rather die at the hands of Edelgard herself than to her lackeys.

With a few more soldiers defeated, there was a pull on his collar. He was only a few seconds away from impaling the assailant until he saw it was Ingrid. Dimitri tried to shake away but the pegasus knight’s grip was stronger than he realized. He figured he had gotten the point across earlier but perhaps they were both too stubborn for their own good. One of them would have to cave in order for them to make it back alive, and Dimitri was pretty sure it would have to be him.

Friends... His one eye met with Ingrid’s. Everyone from the Blue Lions referred to him as their king, their classmate, their friend, but a part of himself refused to believe any of that. That the professor was making them stay. However, the fiery determination in her eyes proved otherwise. Don’t give me hope. he thought to himself.

“Fine,” he spat out. “but I cannot promise that I will be there to save you if you are cornered.” Dimitri had already broke several promises to protect someone, he could not add another one to that list.

[galateaswings]

No Quarter! | Ingrid & Dimitri

@the-savior-king

“Your Highness, wait.” Ingrid’s stern voice echoed off the dilapidated walls of what once was a grand town just outside Garreg Mach Monastery. Broken arrows, rusted swords, and other remnants of the battle five years ago littered the ground, forgotten since the place’s abandonment. Homes that once housed pious families lay vacant, its windows shattered and doors ripped from their hinges; the aftermath of being pillaged. The oil lanterns that lit the pathways of the town had long gone dry, leaving the two bathed in only the light of the moon. The silence was overbearing.

“Do you honestly think I’d just sit back and let you disappear in search of supplies alone?” She asked, her jaw clenched tight. Her arms were taut at her sides, one hand balled into a fist while the other grasped her lance tightly. The fall of the monastery, their beloved professor vanishing, and the rise of the Empire’s conquest had severely impacted Dimitri. The childhood friend she once knew, kind and determined to become a protective king, had completely transformed into someone she didn’t recognize. Gloomy, haunted, hesitant to interact with anyone. Yet, despite these changes, Ingrid still cared for him. Her allegiance to Dimitri was not only due to his status as Faerghus’s future king, but because he was her friend. She wouldn’t idly stand-by and allow him to go off on his own.

“We can’t afford to take unnecessary risks right now,” She approached Dimitri, her eyes filled with stubborn determination, “whether you like it or not, I’m going with you, Your Highness. Not just as a soldier, but a friend. Nothing you say will change my mind.”

[the-savior-king]

The implication of Dimitri’s command nearly instantaneously caused a dull anger to throb in her clenched jaw, radiating to the surrounding muscles as they tensed and her fingers twitched from irritation. The mere suggestion that she disengage from battle despite her capability and training for countless years was infuriating. She was not a defenseless damsel in need of protection. She was a knight, at least, as much of a knight as she could be without officially being knighted. Perhaps a knight would act in accordance to the wishes of their leaders without hesitation, but Ingrid wasn’t about to allow her friend to undertake something so reckless out of some twisted anger and responsibility she couldn’t understand.

Avoiding another attack to her flank, Ingrid quickly responded to the opponent with a pair of jabs as a counter attack of her own. With the soldier felled, she shifted her focus to another soldier that rushed in her direction, sword drawn and ready to swing. She raised her lance to defend herself, the sword bouncing off of the silver with a loud reverberation.

“I’m not abandoning you to take this fight alone,” She shouted over the racket of clashing weaponry and the cries of soldiers, “I am perfectly capable of defending myself!” Dispatching another soldier, Ingrid watched from the corners of her verdant eyes as Dimitri rushed into a cluster of soldiers. Why had he become so infuriatingly reckless? She had little choice but to follow after him, taking out soldiers with each step. If they were to become separated, it would only put them at a disadvantage.

Stealing another glance to Dimitri caused her to momentarily drop her guard. A soldier entered her vision swifter than she had anticipated, and she narrowly avoided a jab to her side, her cape instead catching the blade of the swordsman and audibly tearing.

Dimitri’s rage only grew at Ingrid’s refusal. “You daft woman!” he yelled back as he slashed away a few more soldiers. “These soldiers’ lives matter not but you? I will not permit another death by my hands. BEGONE!”

He wasn’t sure who that yell was directed at, Ingrid or the enemy. Both he was extremely angry with for opposing reasons. He would rather have his life taken hear by these low-life, Imperial scum than let Ingrid perish for his sake. And to further prove his point, an enemy nearly cut Ingrid down. To get his point through to his old companion, Dimitri thrust his spear into the soldier that snagged her cape.

After removing the corpse, he struck down a few more enemies. He turned to look the pegasus knight in the eyes. “I won’t be deterred.”

[pocchapon]

“In the name of the Azure Moon, I will punish you!”

[the-savior-king]

Remorse | Dedue and Dimitri

[the-savior-king]

Five years had passed since Dedue had been at Garreg Mach. While a lot had changed, there were still some places that held a calm familiarity to him. The greenhouse was still filled with flowers and some of his classmates had even kept up with tending to them in his absence. There weren’t as many flowers as their used to be before everything had happened, but he was happy enough seeing that the building was still there. That not everything had fallen that day and there was still hope of rebuilding and moving forward.

He had spent the last five years trying to reunite with His Highness, to make sure that he had continued to survive after he broke out. Being away from the other had been hard, his mind constantly wondering and worrying about his safety since he hadn’t been there to protect him. He had been grateful when he found him once again, but he could tell that time had not been kind to Dimitri.

Dedue had just finished tending to some of the plants in the greenhouse and was walking around, enjoying the time of solitude in the sun. He had passed the chapel and saw a familiar figure inside, one that he had not had much interaction with since returning to his side. He slowly walked inside, taking in just how much had changed since he had been here last. He came up beside the other and didn’t say anything for a moment, allowing a moment of silence to pass between them before finally speaking.

“My lord, may I ask what you are doing here? Are there no other places you would rather be?”

A familiar voice snapped him out of trance. Dimitri turned around to meet the last person he wanted to face right now. Another pang of guilt hit him, as he gazed upon the scars that covered his friends face. How many of those did he get in the prince’s stead... how many of them were his fault. He had made a promise to be by Dedue’s side and Dimitri had failed him... just like he had failed countless others.

Dimitri couldn’t think of anything to say, hell he couldn’t even make proper eye contact with him. Instead, his one eye remained focused on Dedue’s scars. There were no words to justify the things he had done over the past five years, let alone the man, no beast, he had become. No amount of apologies would ever be enough to reconcile himself. And yet, Dedue still saw him worthy enough of using his title.

“I actually find myself most at ease here,” Dimitri replied in a low voice, as if trying not to disrupt his own sense of peace. He turned away from Dedue to gaze upon the dilapidated statue “It is almost as if the Goddess’ light keeps away the voices in my head.”

[galateaswings]

No Quarter! | Ingrid & Dimitri

[the-savior-king]

The sudden, forceful extension of Dimitri’s arm caused her to cease her advance, but it was not the physical barrier that had stopped her. Ingrid’s eyes were wide with surprise, staring at his protective stance with disbelief. After witnessing countless displays of aggression and incoherent, angered words, she had come to the conclusion that Dimitri had become a man she knew nothing of. Yet, this action echoed the friend she had known for so long, causing visions of their academy days to come rushing back to her mind. He had always been protective, so very protective of his friends. Was there pieces of the old Dimitri still within him? The sound of his crazed roar shattered that image, returning Ingrid’s attention back to reality.

Much to their misfortune, soldiers emerged from the shadows, trained and equipped for battle. Ingrid clenched her teeth, her eyes narrowing as she recognized the banner adorned to their armor: it was the Imperial Army. While they had been spared the adversity of encountering the Empire’s main force, this small unit was undoubtedly a division of scouts. If they allowed the enemy to withdraw, they would surely report their findings, informing the Emperor of their position. She gripped onto her lance tightly, her knuckles growing pale. Even for a small force, they were outnumbered…but there was no choice.

“At the ready.” Ingrid stated, shifting into a defensive stance. While she wasn’t accompanied by her Pegasus, she would still fare well on foot. One of the soldiers lunged at her and swiftly, she avoided the strike, following up with a solid jab of her lance.

Even if it had been something harmless, like a rodent, Dimitri was glad he relied on his instincts. His eye focused on the Imperial insignia. Pure, uncontrollable rage pulsed through his blood at the sight. Hadn’t she expended enough soldiers trying to put him down? How much would that horrendous woman throw away, just to have his head? 

“No.” he said in a forceful tone. “I’m the beast they’re hunting for.” 

Two more soldiers came after him. Dimitri had been chased after Imperial soldiers for so long that  he knew the way they were trained, the way they fought. It was only a matter of seconds before he had disposed of them. He would make them regret this night.

Taking a charge at  handful of the soldiers, he cried out “OUT OF MY WAY!”

[cielly-art]

The ghosts, they scream.

[the-savior-king]

Honorary Blue Lion | Dimitri and Bernadetta

@huntersvarley

It was the day of the Goddess’ Rite of Rebirth and everyone was on edge. With the rise of a mysterious threat, the class had been put to the task of guarding the monastery. They had all come to the conclusion that the enemy would target the Holy Mausoleum. While the other classes were spread out, on alert, the Blue Lions stuck close to the cathedral. It wasn’t long before there suspicions were proven right. 

The professor had greatly stressed the importance of staying in a group. At the bare minimum, they be in pair if separated. Keeping this in mind, Dimitri stayed behind to make sure there were no stragglers. His class would need all the help they could get until the knights arrived, not to mention that he couldn’t bare the thought of any of his classmates being cornered.

Among all of the guests, a familiar head of purple hair stood out. The young prince ran as fast as he could to the girl. “Bernadetta! The enemy’s in the mausoleum. You need to come with!”