UPDATE: In light of recent reviews, I feel I need to clarify something that was stated in the summary (and registered writers, PLEASE discontinue using the guest function to send me multiple reviews, or I will have to stop accepting guests. You sign your name every time; I'm not afraid to report you). I wrote this as my brother was playing the game, based on WHAT I SAW OF IT whenever I was home from school. Some details I simply missed, others I fudged to make my story flow. I actually looked up some pictures and vids of the final fight, as I was not present to watch my brother finish it.

As also listed, this story has been complete since 3/6/10. While I appreciate my readers' attention to detail and am willing to acknowledge discrepancies, the amount of nitpicking has become a little ridiculous. This story came out of my own speculation on the end, and as an AU, will not completely adhere to the canon storyline. Please respect that.

AU—as the group prepares to leave Altamira for the last time, Ratatosk suddenly decides it's time to strike out to put this quest to his own uses. He sneaks the necessary supplies from the others and makes for an exit. Unfortunately, he is discovered along the way, and even more unfortunately, he fights back. The ensuing chaos makes its way to one of the outer courtyards of the Lezareno mansion, where, after a last attempt to escape, Ratatosk unexpectedly goes down…

"Emil!" Marta broke free as the boy collapsed in the high-walled courtyard, and very gently turned him over. Blood dripped slowly from his right temple. He seemed barely able to hold on to consciousness as his eyes faded back to their normal green.

"Ratatosk is getting stronger," Raine said grimly, approaching from behind Marta. "Now it's starting to take a toll on Emil's body."

"But he was in control for so long—why is the Spirit determined to take over now?"

"Was he ever really in control? We have no way of knowing. He has become increasingly aggressive as of late. Everything Emil did before now could have just been part of Ratatosk's goal."

Regal swooped in and picked their limp friend up as if he weighed nothing. "We should get him inside. For the moment, the most we can do tend to his injuries and keep him away from prying eyes."

They processed into the mansion's guest quarters; as Regal lowered Emil into a bed, the young warrior stirred.

"My head…"

"Stay still and don't speak. This will take some cleaning up."

"Ahgh!" He tried to twist away from the damp cloth Raine pressed to his face. It hurt enough without putting pressure on it. But others only reached in to hold him down. His breath caught in a hiss. "Why?! What're you—"

"Because dirt and grit got in it while you rampaged around, and because it's getting everywhere. Hold still."

"Gah! I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Of course," Regal chimed in. "He has no memories of the times when Ratatosk fully takes over."

Marta wiggled into the knot. "Let me try—Emil, get a hold of yourself! You're safe in the mansion. Please calm down." As she touched his bare shoulder, his movements slowly quieted. They locked gazes for nearly a minute. Marta watched the fear rise in her friend's eyes.

"W-what's happening to me?"

Late into the night they sat by the glow of a single candle. Emil, bandaged and sleeping, remained curled up on the bed while everyone else gathered around the table.

"I guess Verius' power wasn't enough after all," Colette sighed.

"So it seems. These episodes are getting more unpredictable…and dangerous, both for him and anyone who might get in the way," declared Regal. "I think we have no choice but to formulate a plan of protection."

"You mean, make him a prisoner of his own friends?" Marta asked fearfully.

"We have to keep Ratatosk contained. You saws as well as the rest of us what happened today. Whatever this Spirit is trying to accomplish, it could kill someone to get there. And Emil is on the front line."

"I have a few artes and the like that could be of service," offered Raine. "They might also aid in uncovering the motive behind this sudden turn of events. However, I would need Emil's consent."

Marta's blue eyes widened. "What would you do? Is it…safe?"

"Most of it will only be restraint and sedation, but I do know some methods of…eliciting information," Raine chose her words carefully.

"The key is aiming one's efforts at Ratatosk, not Emil," Regal added. "As a Spirit, Ratatosk feels things in a way much different than we do. Still, we must remain guarded; he'll undoubtedly try to trick us into thinking we're hurting Emil. It's a difficult process to navigate."

The conversation lapsed into silence. Emil shifted uneasily but didn't wake. They were running out of time, for him and for the world.

Lloyd returned from scouting an hour before dawn. Though grim about it, like Marta, he agreed that they could still learn a lot while Ratatosk remained limited. He even reported a half-elf sanctuary where they could camp and not drain Raine's abilities too much. Emil would understand when they told him—they would be close enough to the World Tree to talk to him alone near camp.

"Come on, Emil, it's time to go," coaxed Marta, shaking the boy's shoulder. He grimaced, yawned mightily, and blinked several times before focusing on her face.

"We've got a long way to go," Raine explained. "Lloyd reported spies for Richter in the city, so it's best if we leave before the sun rises. Marta has some breakfast you can eat along the way."

Groggily, Emil did as he was told. Everyone still seemed tense about the previous day. How else were they supposed to feel when Ratatosk took over at whim? The group passed through halls scored and blasted by artes.

"I did all this?" he sputtered, feeling the bandage still wound around his head. His right temple still burned dully. "And then…"

"You attempted to scale the wall with sheer momentum," finished Regal. "That is, until a maid opened some shutters into your face. Now, enough about that; it's in the past. Don't let it worry you, Emil."

"Oh." Emil longed to ask where they were headed, but something told him it was not meant to be known to Ratatosk.