Omega: Well, here's the next chapter.
Albedo: What, no witty dialogue?
Omega: Honestly, the dialogue isn't that witty.
Albebo: Well, um…
Yoshi: Hey, where's Sméagol? He wasn't here for the last chapter, too.
Albedo: I- I honestly have no clue. I'll go look for him.
Omega: Yoshi, I'll stay here and give the story. You go figure out what Albedo did to Sméagol.
Chapter 3: New Faces
The next morning, Jodus was slightly worried. He skulked around the Knights' Quarters, the area of the castle that the knights were permitted to live in, in fear. They never managed to find that thief, and he didn't want to run into Killer so that he could blame him.
So of course, it was inevitable that he would run into him first thing in the morning.
"What happened there yesterday?" Killer asked, seething with rage.
"W-what do you mean?" Jodus asked, trying to sound calm.
"You lost the thief!" Killer exclaimed.
"Oh, yeah, about that…"
"No excuses!" Killer shouted. He lifted his younger associate off the ground by the collar and shoved him against a wall. Jodus was afraid that he might start living up to his title, so it was no wonder why he was shaking in fear.
"Hey, you two!" came a call from the left. Both cavaliers looked simultaneously to see who had spoken. It was a simple soldier, who seemed undisturbed at the fact that Killer was holding Jodus to the wall.
"Yeah," the soldier said as soon as he got their attention, "the general wants to see you."
Jodus' fear went to a slight nervousness. He knew that in the presence of the general, Killer wouldn't be able to maul him. However, as it has been stated before, Jodus wasn't exactly the general's favourite person.
Slowly, Killer let him down, and the two walked to the general's quarters in an awkward silence.
Jodus walked to the wooden door first. He opened it just enough to stick his head in and said, "Hello?"
Within the room was a man who, on first glance, seemed nothing more than a slightly aged man. His hair was beginning to turn grey, and his armour seemed to have accumulated many dents and scratches. His appearance spoke of nothing great. But his eyes told of a mighty warrior who had seen hundreds of battles. This was the general.
"Greetings, Jobus," he said, mispronouncing Jodus' name yet again, "Come on in."
Jodus opened the door all the way and walked in, quickly followed by Killer, who quickly shut the door.
"General Tero," Killer said, addressing the general in a very formal way, "why have we been summoned?"
"Yes, of course," Tero said, "I should explain."
"I am sure you two are familiar with the events of yesterday. Concerning the thief, I mean."
"Yes, Sir," Jodus said, avoiding Killer's eyes.
"Very good, Janus," the general replied, "then both of you must understand we must catch this thief."
"Yes, Sir," Killer responded.
"We have determined that the villain has by now made his way to Hammel. So I have decided that you," the general said, addressing Killer directly, "and a small group, including James here, will deliver a message to Queen Titiana. She knows those woods better than anyone."
'James?' Jodus thought, 'How the heck did he get James out of Jodus?'
"And who else would be included in this group, Sir?" Killer asked, still keeping a calm and respectful air."
"I'm glad you asked," the general said, "because they're assembled just outside that door."
He pointed to a door opposite the one they had come from, and said in a loud voice to be heard on the other side of it, "You may come in now."
A small group of people walked into the room. The first of which was a young man who appeared to be no more than sixteen years of age. He had red, scruffy hair that was kept out of his blue eyes by a blue headband. His blue pants were tucked into his boots, and he had a white undershirt on. Over all of this, he wore a blood red travelling cloak that seemed to have burns on it.
"This is Pyren," the general said, introducing the young man, "a mage and strategist from Drial."
"Greetings," Pyren sneered.
The next individual to walk through the doors was a girl with a crossbow, a fairly new weapon developed by the inventors of the Ocean Kingdom. The girl had shoulder length brown hair and grey eyes. She wore a long sleeved yellow shirt and a brown skirt.
"And this," the general continued, "is Norma, a hunter originally from Hammel. She will assist you greatly in navigating the forests."
"Hiya!" Norma said enthusiastically.
The final recruit to enter the door was a familiar to Jodus.
"Tia!" Jodus exclaimed.
"Jodus, it so nice to see you… again," Tia murmured.
"Well, since you know each other," the general stated, "I guess I don't need to introduce her."
"Alright, since this is everybody," Jodus observed, "I guess we can get going, right General Tiro?"
"Very well," the general replied, "You are dismissed. You leave first thing in the morning, so get some rest."
As the group made its way to the exit, the general added, "Killer, if you could stay behind a moment."
Killer turned from the rest of the group and faced the general. After the rest left, an uneasy silence fell.
"Sir, why have you asked me to stay behind?" Killer inquired.
"Does Jodus know what has been taken?" the general asked without answering. His voice, which had up until then been friendly, warm, and upbeat, suddenly became very serious.
"I'm sure I mentioned it to him, but he's probably forgotten," Killer answered.
"Why do you ask?"
"Make sure he does not find out," the general said simply, "should you have to abandon your mission for this, so be it."
"Sir?" Killer said, confused, "Why would I do that? What could be more important than reclaiming the Fire Emblem?"
"I suppose someone in the group should know," Tiro said, his voice drifting off, "but I must have your solemn word not to reveal this information to anyone, unless absolutely necessary."
"Yes sir," Killer replied with a salute.
"Then sit down, for this is a long story."
Yoshi: Oh, a cliffhanger.
Omega: Yoshi! So, did you find Sméagol?
Yoshi: Yes, though I'd rather not say what Albedo did to him.
Omega: Fair enough. Anywho, thanks for all the characters, guys! Just so you know, I'm not using all of them at once. So those of you who haven't seen one of their characters yet, don't worry. Oh, and by the way, I need some light magic users. Don't overdo it, but I'm gunna need some help.
