28/3/08: It seems I have a bit of explaining to do.

This is/was my first ever fanfic. I had some silly ideas, self-insertion, possible godmodding, messing with the canon timeline, and general stupidity. I don't like it for these reasons and many more (this fic contains the single worst ever simile I have ever spawned from the depths of hell itself – see if you can find it). However, I still like the way I wrote it (not the aforementioned Simile of Death – it still makes me shudder to this day) – it was and remains one of my most descriptive works at that time period, although I could definitely top that now. (Once again, not the simile.) :P

All of the characters I created for this story are now non-existent (scrapped!), except for Skarmandros, whose character I have drastically changed in planning for a sci-fi novel, (Empire, which I may or may not get onto FictionPress any time soon) and again as a different version for a completely different story. (The Deepest Circle, ditto) Only his general appearance, name, and for TDC, attire and scythe, are the same. (For Empire, I renamed him Scamander Enoch.)

Funnily enough, I realised only after the story was finished that he was actually supposed to be Skamandros (I named him after a river in the Iliad – IT SOUNDED COOL, OKAY?) – Which means it is Greek, not dragon. :P Once again, my unoriginality and pure n00bishness from this time period shows.

The names 'Sain' and 'Matthew' in this chapter are not referring to the FE7 characters, just others who happened to have the same names – yes, I was terribly generic back then. You can tell… (I still can't believe I called a character X.)
I was heavily inspired (first chapter especially) by Elizabeth Haydon's Symphony of Ages.

I will not rewrite this story, it will remain in its original form.

At 42 pages, this is probably my longest fic ever, but, suffice to say, none of my others are finished yet. At the time of writing, Dark Sunshine is just over halfway to this fic's 12,500 words, which this introduction will probably eclipse again.

The original Word document for the full fic had several footnotes to explain some little bits of character backstory that I didn't feel needed to be included in the story, as well as several explanations of Fire Emblem terms and events for some who did not play the game, and some other miscellaneous stuff.

Here are a few of them. (They make me cringe too.)

From Chapter 1: Flight to the Village
Skarmandros frowned. "Where? The soldiers have infested the city, the crossroads to all the towns for leagues - League is a unit of distance long common in Europe and Latin America, although no longer an official unit in any nation. The league expresses the distance a person, or a horse, can walk in 1 hour of time, usually about 3 miles or 5 kilometres.

X protested. "Hey! You can't-" Skarmandros stopped him, transferring a telepathic message to him. - Skarmandros used his psychic powers and powers of telepathy, two of the few good side effects of the curse, sparingly, but it was a good way to converse with X when they didn't want to be heard. X himself could not communicate telepathically, but Skarmandros could read his mind, and thus he could 'respond.'

From chapter 3: Revelations and Reunions
"I will make the decision of whether or not she…knows. Remember, X, if I had trusted my instincts that day on the battlefield, you would not be alive today." - Skarmandros is referring to an event that had occurred several years earlier; whilst travelling, he met X on a battlefield on which the assassin had been caught in crossfire. Skarmandros went out of his way to save X's life, and they became fast friends and companions.

From chapter 5: An Old Friend
Damien looked sad. "Come, stay a while longer. We can play Retaliation!" - 'Retaliation' was a silly game of Damien's own making, in which the contestants flail about wildly, slapping each other until one gives up.

And finally, miscellaneous comments I will add as I read through the fic again.
Prologue: Wait...why is there a guillotine there? That makes no sense, plus it wouldn't have existed in this time period.
Chapter 1: It was supposed to be but never actually implied that Skarmandros' mother was murdered - by his father. Also, the whole thing with the bar is amazingly out of character, and it just goes downhill from there. TDC Skarmandros is a bit more like this. Also, why is X acting like that around Jo? ...What IS the plural of marquess?
Chapter 2: Way too short. Ironically, in TDC Skar is the demon of death. Roffles. Also, the canon timeline dies around here.
Chapter 3: Wait- Eliwood doesn't become marquess until way after Uther's already dead in canon FE7. Also...just ignore the way Skar is constructed throughout the entire story, because it just doesn't work.
Chapter 4: I love how I wrote Matthew. He's one of the best characters in this story, I swear. I have no idea what I did to Pent, though. He's all right, but it doesn't suit his canon. Also, note the LotR references. And Star Wars. Erm. Also, a wyvern through the ceiling of an inn...? They'd have to pay for that. Also, I don't know what I was thinking with the ghost things. It's nice, but just plain weird. Also, I love any dialogue to do with Sirius being bullied. I hate him, so it's worth it. (bad puns, blech...I seriously couldn't think of another word to put there-AND THERE IT IS AGAIN. SIRIUSLY- I mean, er, seriously.) Prescience and capitalised tenses, it's Symphony of Ages all over again!
Chapter 5: Damien's character was one from my boyfriend, but I made him just a little more crazy. Comic relief is awesome. I imagine Sirius saying his 'smart-mouthing' line in a cheerleader voice for some reason. Also, Sirius gets beaten up again, w00t.
Chapter 6: I hate the SkarxJo couple. WHY DID I WRITE THIS- oh yes, explanation below.
Chapter 7: Once again, I love Matthew. My boyfriend pointed out that Jo seems to magically no longer find remorse in killing the soldiers and is actually pretty skilled, despite only having trained for about twenty minutes of her life. Wut?
Chapter 8: I had an alternate ending for the fic at this point where the one who finds him is Jo, and Skar dies from his wounds. Of course, after this I was screwed since I didn't know how to finish.
Chapter 9: Lucius, another character I like. I hate Renault, too. In the original Word document, the book script was in a blackletter font and the secret bit (what's that doing in a book anyway?) was highlighted in red.
Chapter 10: BALLS- Erm...I actually like the setup between Hector and Lucius, even though I hate the godmodding. Why is Skar now an angsty emo? I still hate Renault. I want to punch him in the face. One time in FE7, I killed him off because- that's another story.
Chapter 11: This chapter sucks.
Epilogue: See below - this was set out to be left open for the sequel which never happened. Skar is a Gary-Sue, some of Damien's backstory is divulged for some reason, Hector is happy about it, Sirius I have no idea what happened to but he should be kicked in the balls, in fact WHAT HAPPENED TO HALF THE CHARACTERS?

I was actually going to write a sequel to this fic once, which involved Jo being captured, Skar having to become a demon again to save her, her eventually dying etc., hence why this couple was set up in the first place. Erm...that didn't work out. Also, it would probably have been even worse than this fic.

What follows is my original author's introduction to the fic, written on 21/12/05.


Hi everyone, just a few words before we begin.

This is my first fanfic, so…yeah. It has some Fire Emblem characters as well as some of my own characters.

The prologue takes place almost 5000 years before the rest of the story. Sounds weird, but you'll understand later. Also, the characters in the prologue are far different from the ones in Fire Emblem, they are from a time long past.

Whenever you see words in italics, it can be someone's thoughts, a flashback, or for emphasis.

Anyway, have fun, R&R, etc.


Matthew, the youngest son of the Marquess Ostia, waited patiently for his brother's return, looking out one of the many windows in the study of his father's castle. He stared out at the plains and villages, the land that, hopefully, would one day be his kingdom.

At the sound of hurried footsteps, he turned to catch the eye of his older brother, Sain, who rushed into the room clutching a tiny box. "So," Matthew inquired cheerfully, "How was Father?" Sain chuckled. "Oh, you know, he just wanted to know how his heir was going, and whether he'd been keeping an eye on his protégé," Sain replied, all too slyly.

Matthew laughed. "Seems that going to war hasn't changed him at all. What's in the box?" he inquired. Sain smirked. "A little gift from father to son. It's priceless. He said that since I'll be marquess soon, I'd better learn how to keep care of valuables!" Matthew laughed again, but his expression soon turned to awe as Sain opened the box.

Inside laid a beautiful golden amulet on a gilded chain, in the shape of a dragon's head, but inset with shining emerald eyes that had been polished to perfection. Matthew tilted his head, as would an intrigued puppy. "May I…wear it?" he asked. Sain quickly snapped the box shut, but his eyes showed a glint of conspiracy. "No." He turned heel and walked out of the room, nose in the air. Matthew frowned. Fine, be that way, he thought.

That night, Matthew lay uncomfortably in his bed, unable to sleep. All he could think of was that amulet. He suddenly got up and looked to the other side of the room, where Sain slept beside a chest-of-drawers on which sat the small box. It was as if it was calling to him. Matthew silently crept over to the box, and with cautious fingers pried it open.

It seemed even prettier in the moonlight, the light reflecting off its golden surface in perfect angles. Maybe, I could put it on…just for a little while…he'd never know…

Matthew carefully removed the amulet, undid the clasp, put it about its neck and closed the clasp. He did not notice that a strange, almost magical flame flickered across the chain, welding the clasp permanently shut, making it impossible to take off.

A strange voice whispered as if out of nowhere. I have been expecting you. I was told you would come tonight. Matthew looked around cautiously. "Who is there?" he cried. The voice chuckled. I am your new…acquaintance. I will be with you a while. Get used to it. Matthew was shocked. "I don't understand. Where are you?" The voice laughed quietly to itself. Look about your neck. Matthew was horrified as he saw that the eyes of the amulet now glowed with a dark light…

Sain slowly opened his eyes. A voice had called to him in his dream. Wake up, mortal. The time has come. I am reawakened. Do your duty.

At the foot of Sain's bed now stood Matthew, with the amulet around his neck, the gift which his father had given him…

Sain leapt up, eyes blazing. "Traitor! What do you think you're doing?" Then Sain, too, saw the evil light in the amulet's eyes, and he sneered. "So, it worked. You fell for the bait." Matthew gaped. "Bait? What bait? Please, brother, tell me what is going on!" Sain smiled. "It's a long story, but I'd best tell you…

"You probably never knew it, but Father and I always hated you. He never wanted another son. So, before Father went away to war, he made a pact with me. If he returned, we would carry out our plan.

"A few nights before, he had bought an amulet from an Eastern merchant. The merchant had gladly given it to him, as the amulet was…cursed. We had plans for that amulet, Father and I. When…if he returned from the war, he would call to see me as soon as he arrived, whereupon he would give me the amulet, pretending it was a gift. I would show it to you. Your curiosity would get the better of you, and you would put it on. Then…then, the fun would begin…"

Matthew stuttered. "W-what do you mean?"

Sain leered. "Ah, well, you probably haven't noticed, but that amulet has sealed itself onto you. It cannot be removed. Not until the curse is broken. Anyway, the plan is, the amulet would possess you into committing a horrendous crime, the likes of which would have you arrested for treason. And we all know that the punishment for treason is…"

Death, the amulet whispered. Your father would be allowed to have you executed. Then, nothing would stop the marquess and your brother. They would be able to do anything…without a 'goody-two-shoes' like you to intervene.

Matthew turned away from his brother, who didn't notice that he had quietly drawn the dagger he always kept by his side. You had better beat him to it. Kill him…before he kills you, the amulet advised. No, Matthew thought. He is my brother. I would never kill one of my own kin. The amulet argued back, And yet he would. End it. End it now. Suddenly, Matthew turned back towards his brother. His eyes, and those of the amulet, blazed with dark fire. The amulet had possessed him. And it would not be the last time.

Sain backed away. "No! This wasn't how it was supposed to happen-"

Possessed-Matthew stabbed Sain through the heart. He only recovered from his brief moment as a demoniac, realising what he had done, when Sain's body fell to the floor, bleeding incessantly. "Oh no…"

Out of the blue, as if called, several guards ran into the room. They saw the prince dead on the floor, his brother standing beside, clutching the dagger encrusted with his blood …

"L-Lord Matthew! H-how could you?"


The dungeon corridor was dark and dingy, the only source of light being small torches on the walls, giving the place an eerie feel. The soldiers dragged Matthew through the long tunnel as shadows of spiders danced on the walls, their silhouettes exaggerated, making them appear as beasts awaiting their prey.

The last words of Matthew's father as he had been brought before his throne flew about in Matthew's mind. You are a disgrace to your house, a filthy traitor. How I would ever have thought of you as being my son is unthinkable! I am sorry, Matthew, but I cannot allow this to continue. I hereby sentence you to death…Skarmandros.

The last word had been uttered in dragon-speech: Skarmandros, meaning murderer, traitor. The marquess put on a good act, considering he was in on the plot, the amulet said. Matthew agreed.

At last, they entered a small room, dotted with cobwebs and skulls. The only piece of furniture in the room, Matthew noted, to his horror, was a guillotine. Matthew was thrown onto the wooden frame, his neck aching from the impact, and his head was locked into place. It can't end this way! he screamed in his head. I am innocent! The amulet giggled strangely. Do not worry, my friend. You will not die today. I have a plan.

Matthew frowned. Well, I don't want to be a part of it. The amulet laughed, inaudible to all but its wearer. Think, boy. Do you want to die here, as a traitor and a murderer, or as a free man, a misunderstood whelp? Matthew almost laughed out loud (despite the situation) at the amulet's miserable attempts at trying to be helpful and insulting at the same time. A free man, definitely, he thought.

Well then, the amulet retorted, you'll have to be part of my plan a little while longer…

The guard's grip tightened on the string holding up the guillotine blade. He almost smiled as he pulled that string…

Then Matthew realised something was wrong. He looked around. Again, his dagger was in his hand, encrusted with blood. The blade had fallen, but he had not been in its path when it had. And finally, all the guards lay dead, a bloody mess on the dungeon floor…

Matthew looked around and blinked, twice, in surprise, dropping his dagger in horror. "You demonic scum! What did you do this time?!" The amulet laughed. See? I told you would not die. Now run for your life. Run out the castle gates and do not stop until you reach a cave on a cliff. Guards will pursue you, but they will not find you there. Go!

Matthew reached the cave panting. He was glad to be alive, but a little part of him wished that he was dead already. And that little part of him would stay that way for a long, long time…

He sat in the cave, watching the sun set. I will have to leave this cave soon, when they have forgotten about me. I will try to start a new life. But I cannot use my real name. I must have an alias. One word came into his head, and Matthew sighed, closing his eyes.

Skarmandros. My name is Skarmandros.