First off, Hello fellow fanfic writers and readers. After spending years as only a reader of these stories, I decided to actually write a piece of my own. I personally believe that there should have been more SorenXLethe pairings, but that's why I'm writing this in the first place. The story take place approximately four years after Radiant Dawn , so there will be some changes that I will address; Furthermore, While Ike will not be appearing in the story (save the occasional flashback), I'm looking forward to the opportunity to really define what I believe is the relationship between him and soren (IkeXSoren fans, I feel you will not be disappointed).

As a first time writer, I welcome reviews (with the exception of flames of course), and any recommended improvements you may have. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not in any way own fire emblem, although I wish I did


Prologue:

Deep within the swamps of Bengion, there was a clearing blanketed in death. A dense fog masked the landscape, and the scent of iron and rotting flesh hinted at the battle once waged between the ancient trees. Corpses that had not fully decayed were strewn about, their mangled bodies showing the various causes of death; from where an axe had cleanly split a skull open, to skeletons broken where massive gusts of wind had slammed them into trunks. Their blood had mixed in with the grass, turning its color to that of ash. the usual sounds of nature were not present in the clearing; it was as though time had preserved this field of carnage in a bubble of silence.

Then, the rustling of footsteps broke that silence.

The footsteps belonged to a single man, walking into the clearing with purpose in his steps. His body and face covered by a faded greed cloak, He passed among the trees, the ashen grass breaking beneath his boots. Each corpse he awarded a momentary glance, noting the twisted expressions of rage and agony that were frozen on their faces in their last moments. Making his way to the center, the man had come to a definite conclusion: all the dead had been laguz, ranging from the beast type to the dragons, and they had all been turned feral at some point. the only exception to this was the last body he was approaching.

The final corpse in question was that of a man, if it could be called such. Covered in a cloak black as night, pale and wrinkly flesh covered a skeletal frame. Long nails stretched from his fingers, the same yellow hue as his misshapen teeth. A few strands of greasy black hair hung over a face that could have been mistaken for a demon's. The eyes, though clouded over by death, still gave hint to the massive intellect once possessed by the dead man. Once, he had been called Izuka, Head scientist of Daein, in charge of the Feral Project and countless others too inhumane to recount; now he was but an empty husk, whose lack of any decay was a testament to his evil.

"Oh, Izuka," the man suddenly growled, lowering his hood, "You never were good at choosing the winning side."

The robe dropped to the ground, revealing the full appearance of the man. He towered at an imposing height, maintaining an impressive musculature frame. A thick crop of ashen gray hair drifted down to his square shoulders, framing a face that could have been hewn from rock. His left eye was an unusual purple hue; His right eye, white as snow, an unknown symbol tattooed in red ink just below. More symbols wove an intricate pattern along his bare arms, running down from his shoulders to his fingertips his skin a dark tan from years of traveling. Overlaying a simple gray tunic were countless trinkets and charms, many of which had craftsman ship not seen in Tellius for centuries. Clearly, this man was not one to be trifled with.

The man rolled Izuka's corpse onto it's back, revealing where a dagger was buried in his chest. Volke's work, no doubt, the man said, pulling out the dagger in one swift motion. Placing his hands over the open wound, the man lowered to his knees, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. he released the breath, and along it a stream of forgotten tongues and ancient incantations. White light pulsed down the markings on his arms, weaving their way to the wound. Suddenly there was a flash of light, and it was over. The man opened his eyes to view his work. The wound had closed, warmth began to spread throughout the corpse. There was but one thing to do.

"Now Izuka," the man spoke, "Awaken"

Izuka gasped, his eyes once again clear and darting about. He shot upright, one hand clenching his chest while the other supported him. Turning to his reviver, his eyes widened, and a few words managed to escape his cracked lips.

"Varkas? But…how…"

"Did I manage to find you?" Varkas cut him off, "or perhaps you're more concerned with your rebirth?" His mouth twisted into a sneer "Irrelevant. All you need to know is that you haven't got long, and I need your knowledge. answer my questions honestly, and I'll leave you in peace. First, your notes on project revelation; are they complete?"

Izuka, still trying to grasp the situation, spoke only, "…what?"

Varkas sighed. Quick as a flash, he grabbed Izuka by his throat and drew him face to face. "That is not an acceptable answer, I'm afraid. I'll ask again: are the notes complete?"

Izuka managed to choke out a weak, "Yes."

Varkas relaxed his grip on the old man's throat. "Excellent. Second, what is the status of Gurgurant?"

This time, Izuka gave a full answer right away. "Last I knew, it was being held at Delos Keep, within the Dungeon."

"Very good. It appears death did not completely rob you of your wits. One more question and I'll leave you to your fate, understand?"

Izuka nodded, the fear present on his face.

"Good. Now, where is the last known location the child of Ashnard? Answer me false, and I will know if you're lying, and the consequences will be severe."

Izuka answered, the words rolling off his tongue like water, "Crimea. The boy is in Crimea, living among the mercenary group of the late Gawain."

Varkas pursed his lips. "Gawain, you say? I wonder if he ever knew…Regardless, thank you for your cooperation, my old friend." Izuka released a breath of relief, his misshapen teeth turned to a grin. "As I promised, I shall leave you to your fate. There is simply one more thing I must do first."

Varkas got up and walked away from where Izuka still sat. He stopped and closed his eyes again, stretched his arms out to shoulder-height, and began chanting. A breeze began to swirl around him, strengthening with each passing second. The tattoo beneath his right eye began to glow, as did the symbols on his arms. The wind continued to intensify around him, his charms clanking against each other in an orchestra of dissonance. Varkas continued to chant louder and louder, his voice rising over the wind, the patterns on his arms and eye glowing more brightly with each passing second. Just when it seem that it could not get any more deafening, it stopped; the wind died down, Varkas stopped his chanting, and opened his eyes. The light left his body and broke into parts, entering the rotting corpses of the Ferals. One by one the broken bodies rose, birds and beast and dragons alike, an unearthly light radiating from their eyeless sockets. Slowly, they began to shamble Towards Izuka, rotted flesh peeling off open jaws and beaks.

A look a fear stretched over Izuka's withered face. "Varkas, what is the meaning of this?" He hissed, the creatures growing closer and closer. "You said you would leave me to my fate!"

"And I have. Do you not see?" Varkas said, wearing a smile cold as ice as Izuka was surrounded by the reanimated corpses disappeared from his sight. "You shall sate the hunger of the horrors you yourself created. I can think of nothing more suitable for a worm like you."

Reaching down, Varkas grabbed his hood, once again covering himself up. He slowly walked back the way he had entered, never once looking back towards to sounds of screaming and tearing flesh. "Now then," he said to himself, "there is much work to be done."


So, that is the Prologue. Most of you by now know who Ashnard's Heir is (Spoiler, it's soren) but there are still a few questions you probably have (Who exactly is this Varkas? What is Project Revelation? Where will Soren fit into all of this? Just to name a few). Worry not, these questions all have answers, and will be revealed in due time.

In regards to updates, I'm going to be perfectly honest: I have most of the major plot points and the general storyline down, but there are still huge gaps that I need to fill. odds are I'll be figuring out it out while I'm writing it, which will naturally cause some delays. Still, I hope to update on a fairly consistent basis. The story will be divided into about four separate fanfics, so I'm looking forward to a long and successful saga.

Any who, feel free to review the prologue, and tell me what you think, or if there are any specific pairings you which to request (I'm not opposed to Yaoi or Yuri, as long as it seems logical and you explain your argument clearly). I'll try to accommodate you as the reader, as long as it does not interfere with my set storyline. Next update should be pretty soon! Oh, and Happy New year!