wow…you do not know how LONG this chapter took…I mean WOW—anyways, here's the next chapter! Hope you guys like it!

Previous Chapter:

"It's done. We've done it…we've finally cracked those blasted barriers around us…the universe is ours my friend; ours! Elibe, Magvel, and now…Earth…" Dreamily, I smiled at his wrong pronunciation of 'Earth' and chuckled. "E-arth-th" Hee hee… I closed my eyes once again, vulnerable to whatever was lurking and now roaming free.

The Start of a New Game

Groggily, I tried opening my eyes. My head hurt as if I hit my skull against a brick wall repeatedly. My bed felt weird and my sheets were scratchy and not soft like my green downy comforter. I yawned and felt like I slept for ages. Forcing my eyes open I was almost tempted to shut them again. I was not in my room. I was not even in my house. I was in some strange unfurnished room with one window, a dresser with a mirror and the bed I was on. It smelled sour and I rushed off of the bed covers. Now facing the mirror I saw my shocked reflection. My skin was not oily and red from lacrosse training. Not even my hair was in the same place as I had left it; messy. It was now neat and stick straight; glossy and beautiful. I was not wearing the dirty lacrosse uniform I should have been wearing. I was clad in a form fitting aquamarine blue dress that had no sleeves and ended at my shoulders. It was long and hit a few inches above my knee. Two high slits ran up on the sides up until my hips. My legs were covered in tight, dark pants that felt like leggings. I had on a pair of leather boots that laced up on the top and had a bit of a heel. Around my waist was a belt with a little bag. I had long gloves on reaching past my elbows. I looked like I was some super maniac fan of Fire Emblem dressed to go to a convention.

"I have to be dreaming…" I said aloud. The loudness of my own voice startled me. If I'm dreaming then I won't feel anything, I thought. I pinched myself hard and it hurt…a lot. I bit back a yelp and I realized with slow senses that this was no dream. This was real.

"Oh my god…" I ran towards the door and ripped it open. I rushed through the door frame and into the empty hall. I looked left then right and chose to run left. I saw a staircase and flew down the stairs at dangerous speeds. While looking around me, I nearly cried out in relief. I saw my mom clearing one of the tables across from me. She, like I, was donning a weird outfit as well. Nonetheless I sprinted over and hugged her tightly.

"Mom!" I said happily. Finally! I thought. Someone who can tell me what the hell is going on! She pushed me away and looked at me as if I was a stranger.

"Who are you and get away from me! I don't know you!" she shrieked. I stepped back dazedly. She faltered backwards from me and gazed at me with wide eyes.

"Don't you know who I am…? Stop kidding around! I'm your daughter for crying out loud Mom!" I yelled at her. I only succeeded in pushing her farther away.

"I don't have a daughter to speak of…I-I don't even know who you are!" she squeaked. I stood there, too dumbfounded to speak. Why doesn't she remember me? I'm her daughter! She should remember me! Angry tears pushed past my futile attempts of keeping them back and dashed down my face. She just stood there, just looking at me while I cried. I wiped back the tears and soon my sadness had become anger.

"Where are we?" I demanded. If she is going to pretend I don't exist well then fine! I can find my way without her! My sudden change in emotion shocked her and she struggled to speak.

"W-we're in-n the p-port city of Ostia. D-don't you k-know that?" she stuttered. Port city of Ostia…as in, FIRE EMBLEM Ostia? I tried to stay calm and looked my mom squarely in the eye.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"It's Alanna…why do you want to know?" she asked. Her fear of me was waning from her voice as she glared at me. I tried to act impassive.

"It's none of your business as to why I asked for your name!" With that said I sneered and strutted out of the inn. When I was completely out of eyeshot I bit my lip to barricade the oncoming tears. Her name is Alanna! That IS my mom! Alanna Mari is my mother! Why doesn't she recognize me? Why is she ignoring me? I leaned against the wall of the tavern and breathed in and out, trying to calm myself. Okay…so you're in Ostia which is a made up city in a made up game where the people you know don't know you and where you wake up in a weird bed with different clothes on in a different and totally not your universe! But don't freak out. I closed my eyes and felt the sun's rays warm my face. Everything felt so real. Yet I know as well as anyone else that this is a game; not reality. I heard people scurrying away and into the nearest houses and shops. The once crowded marketplace was now as barren as a desert. I stepped out from the shelter of the inn and walked into the middle of the street. In the distance I saw a group of people approaching. At the front were three leaders. The middle person was a man who looked thinner than the one on his left. There was a woman on his right with long flowing green hair. Kind of like Lyn's hair…

"Hello there." A smooth but chilling voice greeted me. I turned slowly, fear dictating my actions. Staring at me with gold eyes was a pale faced, ebony haired man clad in a dark cloak. He smiled at me with grace and even bowed slightly.

"Hello…Ephidel." I said quietly. He looked surprised at first and then nodded knowingly.

"I see you aren't the least bit confused about your current situation…is that because you have figured it out? Or are you just too perplexed to even ponder your circumstance? After all, you are only human." He smiled again and I felt myself wanting to gag. What does he know that I don't? Well that's an easy question…everything! The real question is how can I find out what he knows?

"I have some idea as to what's happening." I said as evenly as I could, trying to match his forced courtesy, "Although I know you are much more learned in what is really occurring." Wow, I thought. That English play I was in is really helping my mysterious persona here!

"Do you really? So you are smarter than most humans…good. My master would like to know that his opponent is not as idle brained as most of you are. I came here though, not to play word games with you. I send word of my master, Lord Nergal. You probably are already acquainted with him. He wishes you the best of luck on your fool of a journey. He also wishes—" I interrupted him.

"What do you mean by 'journey'? I'm not on one." I stated flatly. He gave me another one of those condescending smiles that I was quickly learning to hate.

"Well then, you will surely find out. As I was saying, my master would like to inform you that he is graciously giving you another option. Should you choose it, you can forget all this nonsense about a journey and join him. Then all will be restored if you aid my master in his…plans." He said carefully. I eyed him carefully. What plans? If they're thought of by Nergal it can't be good… And me, join him? Ephidel must have lost some of his inhuman morph IQ points on his way over here. This means that whatever he needs, I'm in the way of getting it. So as long as I'm here, I'm preventing what he wants. Which is completely and totally fine by me.

"Do I have to tell you my answer now Ephidel?" I said calmly. He stared at me.

"What are you thinking about? Before fear and confusion was oozing from your pores; now you're calm and reassured. What did you think of?" he pondered out loud. I remained as stoic as I could.

"That was not the answer to my question Ephidel." I said blandly. He chuckled.

"Very well my dear. No, you do not have to answer now but it would be to your advantage to do so. My master cannot guarantee your safety the longer you wait. You see, he foresees you allying yourself with the whelps from Lycia. Ah, right on cue, here they come." I turned to see the group of people I saw earlier. The green haired woman was indeed Lyn standing in a defensive stance next to the other lords; Eliwood and Hector. I really am in Fire Emblem… How did this freaking happen?

"You monster! What's the meaning of this? What has your master done here?" Lord Hector growled. Ephidel snickered and completely ignored him as he kept his attention on me.

"Do you really want to stay with these imbeciles? Especially, the big lug over here." He motioned towards Hector with a pale hand of his. Hector stiffened and tried to rein his anger as Eliwood laid a calming hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Ephidel…you said I could have time. I don't have to answer now. I am staying here; go tell your lord I said hi and good luck because I'll prove to be more trouble than I'm worth." I smiled innocently and he scowled.

"Fine, rot with the rest of those insignificant beings! I will come back for your answer though, I still believe you better than the humans that stand behind you. Good bye for now, Brye." He warped out of the area, leaving me to handle whatever comes next. How did he know my name? I thought. I have to get out of here, whatever it takes.

"Who are you?" I turned to see Eliwood staring at me. Was he the one who asked?

"My name is Brye." I suddenly felt smaller and shy. With Ephidel I felt like I had power over him, now faced with this group of trained soldiers I felt vulnerable. Maybe I feel helpless because they could all kick my ass. Nonetheless, my surge of strength and energy was now depleted.

"Brye…why was Ephi—um, that man talking to you? Did he tell you anything?" Lyn asked hope shining in her eyes. I shook my head.

"No, Ephidel didn't." I murmured. She caught her breath as I said his name and Eliwood looked surprised.

"Yes, I know his name; just like I know yours, Lady Lyndis. I know all your names." I waited for the shock to wear off and sink in. Lyn spoke up.

"How did you know…?" I smiled.

"I'll tell you everything I know if you tell me all you know. I don't know why I'm here or what is going on. But I have a feeling we can help each other. I'm a tactician of sorts. I can help with battles and strategy during the many fights I feel we will fall into. I want to help and I just want to go home." I said softly. It was silent for a few moments. I looked at Lyn, Eliwood and Hector's faces. They all wore a mask of surprise and doubt. They seemed to be thinking when I heard the sound of people being warped. All around us soldiers appeared out of nowhere. They looked fierce and bloodthirsty and I felt my knees go weak. Oh my god…this is a real battle; with real blood and real killing and real weapons of real enemies wielding them. This isn't a game…this is life and death. There is no reset button. You have one life to live and only one. You can't get it back. Ephidel warped in again.

"Inferior humans of this pathetic army…prepare yourselves. And Brye…keep yourself safe, no? We can't have you hurt now, can we?" He laughed and disappeared again. We were left alone with all these cutthroats and curs. We were all alone faced with hundreds of soldiers willing to fight till the end. And that's one end I don't feel like meeting.

"Brye, will you help us?" Eliwood asked as he unsheathed his sword. Will I? Can I? I gulped, the seriousness of the situation settling. I was in control of the battle if I said yes.

"Wait, Eliwood. What happened to Mark? He's not here!" Lyn cried, worry evident in her voice. Mark? Oh gee! That's the original tactician…and Lyn's friend! Um…this complicates things.

"We have no time, Lyn. We will look for him later, I promise. We owe much to Mark but right now this problem proves more urgent." Eliwood replied. Lyn looked angry then defeated.

"Fine." she conceded, but not before shooting me a cold look.

"Let's go then." I finally agreed, ignoring Lyn's reaction. I began issuing orders as if I did this everyday. I sent people in all directions, giving them advice and encouraging the soldiers. I was a nervous wreck. Oh no! Erk got hurt! Oh okay its fine Brye. You put Priscilla near him, he'll be healed soon. No! Karla was hit! Oh wait, Serra healed her. On and on I worried for each person realizing that their life was in my hands. One false move on my part and their life ends. And there's no coming back.

"Are you okay?" I turned to see Lord Pent looking at me. It was weird seeing him in person as to his pixel animation. Actually, everyone looked weird, so life like…so alive. His gray hair glinted silver in the sun and his smile was warm. I studied Pent's face and to my surprise, he was perfect. But that's not surprising Brye. Even in pixels, everyone is perfect. Now, even in person, he's perfect.

"I-I think I'll be fine Lord Pent. Thank you." I stuttered. It was so odd to be talking to someone who was once an animated character on a color screen. He looks so human…this is so strange; I'm actually talking to a person crafted by a gaming company. This shouldn't be happening… His smile widened.

"I am still marveling at your ability to know our names without any consent. You must tell me some day how you managed that." I smiled and nervously watched the progressing battle. We were winning but it was so hard to watch. Every cut and slash made me wince with fear or pain. "Do you know any magic Brye?" I was surprised by the question and was pulled from my daydreaming.

"Um no, no I don't. Why?" I asked. Me? Know magic? Hah.

"Well, you see, I have this talent that can sense latent magical ability. Your potential is…great. You could be a very strong magic wielder if you chose so." I blushed. Cool! I can learn magic!

"Thank you…um, perhaps maybe you could teach me? To see if I really do have any talent?" I asked overeagerly. Magic, magic, magic! He laughed.

"Of course, it'd be an honor to teach you! Maybe even my other student can help you. His name is—"

"Erk." I interrupted.

"Yes…Erk. That power of yours is very quick isn't it?" He chuckled. I bit my lip. Should I tell him that I'm from a different planet and that his life is no more than pixels and technology? That his life is literally a game? A game where someone decides whether or not he dies? I refocused on the battle.

"Yeah…it is. Um, Lord Pent, why are you here? I mean, instead of at the post where I put you?" I asked and added, "I'm sure you're needed there instead of talking to me." He smiled.

"Well, you see, my wife Louise was concerned that you were left alone unguarded. She feared that you would get hurt and sent me this way. She has a rare ability as well; she can make me do whatever she wants. That includes me being a protector for a young girl." I smiled.

"Thank you Lord Pent and thank Lady Louise for me as well if I do not get too." I said happily.

"I will, Lady Brye." He bowed and I felt silly. Why is he bowing to me? I'm not anything special! Well…I am the only person from Earth that isn't all weird…that counts for something right? And Ephidel and Nergal are trying to recruit me. And I can use magic!

"Please, Lord Pent, don't bow like that. It's silly for someone like me! And please, I'm just Brye. Honorifics are wasted on me. Trust me." I argued. He chortled.

"If you insist Brye, but then I must insist you do the same." He smiled.

"Fine by me, Pent!" I said. As soon as I did I realized that Sain had left his post to go find a healer. He had left his spot unguarded and now there was a hole in our defense. There was an opening for attack. Pent looked in the direction I was staring at seconds too late. Kent and Isadora were being assaulted within seconds of Sain's leave with ruthless strikes.

"Pent! Please, go help them!" I yelled. But I didn't have to; he was already on his way there. I saw Sain look back to see what he had done and I saw guilt flicker across his normally joyous face. I frowned and started shouting directions. Why now Sain? Why choose now, to act up!

"Priscilla! Please go and heal Isadora and Kent! Sain get back there with her and help out! Everyone! There is a mountain a few feet away! Fall back against the mountain side! Now people! Kent and Isadora need help!" Immediately after I issued the command everyone started to move. The mountain was south of Kent and Isadora and allowed them to back off from the brutal battering they were receiving.

"Oh! Come on! Darn carriage!" Merlinus yelled. He was having trouble getting his horse to move, it seemed like the chestnut mare was hurt. If Merlinus does not move, the rest of the company will not either because he'll be unprotected and our convoy will be vulnerable. He has to move now! Ugh! Why can't anything be easy? I ran over to him and pulled on the horse's reins with Merlinus. But the mare would just not move. I noticed an arrow stuck in the horse's flank and I went to go pull it out. It wasn't deep, thank goodness, and I managed to pull it out without causing too much pain. The mare started moving suddenly and Merlinus jumped up happily.

"Thank you! Let's go! Come on!" he coaxed. I watched as he moved rapidly, gaining back the lost distance. I ran too, noticing that the army behind me had to move. I watched Serra heal Kent and Isadora and watched them get back to fighting. Now half of our army didn't have to fight because of the natural barrier behind us. I sighed and looked around. Everyone seemed alright and no one looked fatally injured.

"That was quick thinking back there." I turned to see Marcus on his enormous steed. That was hardly quick thinking…more like tremendous luck! It was so close…we could have lost two lives and it would have been my fault.

"Thank you…if you ask me, it was more luck than anything." I spoke earnestly. If I didn't believe in luck, I do now. He shook his head.

"You covered the hole in our defense quickly and without wait. Then you saved Sir Kent and Lady Isadora by taking the army back in a retreat against the peak's side. That was true strategic prowess there. Good work Lady Brye." He complimented. His eyes looked at me, as if analyzing me. Is he wondering where Mark is too?

"Thank you so much Sir Marcus. Um…it looks as if Isadora could use a break; could you fill in for a bit?" I asked.

"You need not ask; I am at your command." He bowed and was off in her direction. Wow, everyone listens to me so readily and without hesitance. They trust me and do whatever order I issue…I could get used to this! I went to go near the front lines to see the status of the battle. Lyn slashed her enemy axe wielder with skilled strokes. I watched as her blade cut through the neck of the soldier; as it ripped through the soft skin and blood vessels with the sharpness of her sword. Scarlet wine sprouted up like a fountain from his tanned skin and washed the dirt red as he fell to the ground. Lyn took no notice of the brutality she had committed and looked towards her next doomed victim. Oh gee…and she doesn't like me either. This isn't good… One side of my mind abated my fear. Don't worry though, she won't go and kill you. The nervous side piped, Right?

"Are you okay, Lady Brye?" To my side was a bright blue haired knight in silver armor. I shook my head yes although my eyes and face betrayed me. She nodded perceptively.

"You're not used to…all of this; are you? I guess you have not seen this before. Don't worry, you'll get used to the…sights of slaughter, to put it bluntly. It is not a pretty one but you learn to realize that why you're fighting justifies the means." She explained softly. I could tell she meant what she said. In her support conversation with Renault, she also felt guilty cutting down her foes. She really understands what I'm feeling. But how can she do this? Kill other human beings without puking or huge amounts of remorse? Sure, we're doing this for the right reasons…but do hundreds of deaths really not matter when compared to the 'greater good'? And the viciousness of battle…the simple sin of killing…isn't this why we're fighting? In order to prevent all of this?

"I know you're probably sick to your stomach right now. I'm afraid I can't lie to you and say you'll forget the sight of a bloody field. You won't. But I am telling you that you can learn to understand why this has to be done." She paused and continued with the same sincerity, "You seem young…how old are you?"

"I'm sixteen years old." I murmured. I trained my eyes on Isadora instead of the battle. I tried to change the subject.

"Are you okay? From before, I mean. You weren't hurt too badly were you? I'm really sorry…" I began.

"No, no! I'm not! Actually, I'm fine. Sain only left for so long and you were quick to send Lord Pent to help us out. Plus, you gave such brilliant orders to fall back against the mountain side. To be honest, Kent suffered much worse than myself; he was injured far greater." She must have seen my face depicting pure horror and she laughed nervously.

"Not to say he is terribly handicapped now! He is still fighting as diligently as before, if not better. Serra was able to come over and nurse his wounds." She explained hastily. I pushed myself to look for where Kent was holding up. He had returned to battle and was bravely defending his post.

"Sir Lowen!" The teal haired knight turned my way and galloped over promptly.

"Yes milady! I am at your service!" he said with a bow of his head. He turned to Isadora, "Lady Isadora."

"It is not necessary to call me 'milady', Brye will do fine Lowen. Now, could you please go and relieve Sir Kent of his post? I fear he needs a rest from his previous encounter." I requested.

"You need not ask mil—I mean Brye! I am at your disposal!" He trotted off to give Kent some time off. He sounds just like Marcus… Ugh. Doesn't he usually worship Marcus in the game?

"That was nice of you, to give Kent some time to rest. He needs it." she complimented.

"It was irresponsible of me, rather. I should have thought to bring Kent out of the brawl but I was too distracted to. I should be thanking you for reminding me!" I said. She smiled and I smiled too, for the first time since Lyn's carnage.

"Ah! See? A smile! We need those on a bleak field such as this. Sadly, I must leave you Brye. You see it is my duty to check on my comrades. I will see you soon and Brye! We must speak sometime!" She bowed shortly and left. I looked towards the skies and in the horizon I saw white wings glittering in the setting sun. They came closer and I realized they were pegasus…they were pegasus knights. Then I stopped admiring and started thinking. I bit my lip to the point where blood almost flowed. There is a pegasus squadron over the horizon and they're headed for us! I looked a little closer and made out three girls riding their mounts, two green headed knights and a blue haired one in the middle. The sight of their lances at the ready and coming straight at us struck fear in my body; immobilizing me.

Okay so…yeah. I cut the previous chapter in two so that the really long chapter is now two medium size chapters! So…but still review people! Um…next chapter has Brye figuring out what to do and something—or rather someone, comes in! Please read and review!