Chapter Two: Fathi Melee Faction_______________________________________________
Keon stepped off of his ship onto the Zeran soil, breathing deeply the aroma of his hometown, Fathi. The streets shimmered in the setting sun, and the river close by could be heard but not seen, giving the streets a sense of mystery. At the sight of their ship, however, the villagers closed their windows and doors, and the children went inside, corralled by angry looking parents.
"What is this? The people of my hometown."
"Captain Keon, it seems that the Fathi Melee Faction has taken over this city. apparently a soldier has rebelled and joined the FMF."
"Really now. Who?"
"No-one knows yet. No-one is missing from the ship, this or otherwise."
"What about off-duty soldiers?"
"All accounted for. Apparently it's a Tech worker or a cadet."
'Nare? But why would she join the other side?'
He looked around, and only a solitary villager had not entered a house.
"You there! Where are the soldiers stationed here?"
"Umm…Captain, is it? They've left for the capitol, I think."
Keon stepped towards him. "You think?"
The man stepped back and tripped, and when he stood, he was holding a knife in both his hands.
"You've terrorized us enough!"
He stood, battle ready, a look of a killer in his eyes. Keon drew a sword, and rushed him, attacking with and overhead slash. His opponent evaded easily enough, and rained attacks on his back during the break in his defenses. Keon spun, slashing as hard as he could, only to be evaded once again. This time, however, foreseeing the attacks, he used the momentum from his swing to evade the thief, much to his surprise. They parted, both tired, but only one injured.
"So, a much renowned Shadow Thief. Working for the FMF?"
"Of course. You've held power for long enough. This village should be- "
A voice which was strangely familiar to Keon interrupted the thief's sentence.
"Matais? What's going.?" The speaker came into view, a girl with blue hair and dark green eyes clothed in a Zeran soldier's uniform.

___________________________________________________________________________

         Nare stopped dead in her tracks, staring into her brother's saddened face in anguish.
"Nare…you can't have joined them."
Keon's blue eyes filled with tears, and he looked down, his tears mixing with the ground below him.
"So. the own commander's sister."
Keon's companion stepped forward, raising a gun the size of his head and pointing it towards Nare.
"How ironic. Now I see we can't trust new recruits as much as we used to be able to. Well, I also know one thing. Keon won't stop you. So of course I'll have to. How boring. Taking care of a new recruit and a worn out fighter from the last war. I saw from the way you fought that you couldn't have kept that up for long."
"But I have a companion, and there are some things you don't know about her." The soldier smirked.
"Of course I know about her Heraldic abilities. Keon has been my commanding officer for years by now. I've seen his strength, but I know her crests are different then his."
"And I presume you also know the reason we've been given them."
Keon stood, brushing a bit of dust off of his jacket.
"But that's not important. Officer, we will head back to the ship and dock at the capitol. Everything revealed here shall be kept secret under pain of death."
"But sir, we know who the traitor is."
Keon turned towards his officer, a look of sadness still remaining in his eyes.
"She is not a traitor anymore then you. She has reasons. This meeting was not fated to happen, and will not be discussed. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir."

.:Fin:.