Ahh, only one review. Bit of a small jump from my last chapter, but I'm just posting this story cause I want to. Here's the third chapter in the story.

Chapter 2: Sword of Spirits

We walked for a few days, making camp when we could and eating what we had. I never heard the singing again from that one night, and I didn't ask the group about it, so I left it be. Finally up ahead we saw something, a large stone church and some houses around it, a village! Lyn seemed intent on walking there so the three of us followed her, when we got a close distance to the church she turned to me.

"Nick hold on a moment, allow me to have a short detour. There is a sacred sword enshrined in an altar east of here, the people of Sacae go there to pray for safety at the onset of a long journey."

Sain looked at the temple and smiled, "Oh, how quant."

"The teachings of Elimine have most followers in Elibe," Kent said, "It is nice to see, here at least, that the ancient customs are still observed."

Sacred sword… I thought, I remembered this level and nodded. "Okay, let's go."

Lyn nodded and the four of us set toward the temple, about halfway there we saw a woman running from the temple, she looked frightened. When she saw Lyn she gasped and ran to us.

"I beg your pardon my lady, are you headed east? To the altar?" she asked.

"Yes, we are indeed," Lyn nodded, the woman looked hopeful.

"Then you must hurry and help the priest! I saw a band of ruffians head in there not long ago, they seemed intent on stealing the altar's sacred sword!"

"The Mani Katti?! They're going to steal it?" Lyn asked, placing her hand on the hilt of her blade, "I cannot allow this to happen!"

"You look like a virtuous group, please help him!" the lady begged, before running into her house.

I was curious why and looked ahead, there was several bandits making their way to us. That answered my question, they seemed to be taking positions around the temple, trying to block anyone from entering.

"Lyndis, what are you planning?" Sain asked, eyeing the bandits cautiously.

"If you hope to go to the priest's aid, you'll need to prepare," Kent advised.

"You're right," Lyn nodded, turning to me. "Say Nick, there are a few houses down south of them, perhaps we should go there and question the residents?"

"Good idea," I nodded, looking south at the houses. "Three houses… Kent, you take that one. Sain, get the other one, and Lyn and I will get the last one. Got it?"

The three of them nodded and Kent and Sain rode off to the houses, Lyn and I ran to the other one and approached the front door. When the door opened it was the woman who spoke to us earlier.

"Excuse me," I asked. "We want to help the priest, but we need some information, anything you know will be of great help to us."

The woman listened to me and nodded, "I saw the main entrance beyond the hills was guarded…but, one of the walls on the temple is cracked, maybe if you use your weapons you can break through it?"

I nodded, "I see, that'll help."

"Thank you," Lyn said as the woman nodded and shut her door, we turned to and saw Kent and Sain ride up to us. They both had information for us.

Sain spoke first, "A kindly old man told me that if we were to go over the hills to the entrance, we would have to abandon our horses."

"A woman told me something about the sacred sword… but, nothing that will help us in battle I'm afraid," Kent frowned.

"That's fine," I nodded. "I think I could think of a battle plan with what we have."

I put my hand to my chin and began to think, by remembering the battle map and the enemies around it I could have a strategy soon. Finally, I developed a plan, it may work too. I turned to the others and gave my orders.

"Sain and Kent, there is a small crack in the wall on the temple side, you two will break it down. While you do that, Lyn and I will go over the hills and attack from the entrance. We'll ambush them on both sides."

"Breaking the temple wall?" Sain gasped, "Isn't that sacrilegious?"

"I think the gods will forgive us this one time," I assured, "Now, you have your orders?"

They nodded and I grinned, "All right boys, and girl, move out!"

(Play: Girl Named Shelke – Masashi Hamauzu, Dirge of Cerberus)

Sain and Kent led the charge, they drew the swords and attacked the bandits near the east wall, Lyn and I snuck around to the hills. However, what we didn't expect was a bandit on horseback waiting for us.

"Die wench!" the bandit yelled, swinging his blade at Lyn.

She moved out of the way and stabbed him in the chest, I turned away again as the man gave a dying scream and fell forward. I looked back to see Lyn wiping the blood off the sword.

"Hurry you two!" Kent yelled, still blade fighting with a bandit. "We're running out of time!"

I nodded and Lyn and I ran up the hills, making our way to the temple entrance. When we were about to clear the last hill she thrust her arm out to stop me, I gave her a quizzical expression and she pointed to the two bandits by the entrance.

"I don't know if I can fight both of them at the same time," she confessed, her grip on the sword tightening.

I frowned, I keep forgetting Lyn is only human (Sacean if you want to be technical). I looked around and saw a stone, it was big, but small enough to fit my hand. I picked it up and held it up to Lyn.

"You don't have to," I said, and before she could say anything I threw the rock at one of the bandits.

It missed and hit the stone wall above him, they turned to look at us and my eyes went wide. Okay, clearly I have a bad throwing arm. Lyn leaped off the small hilltop and drew her blade, trying to fend off the enemies.

"How come it works in the movies and not in this?" I asked myself, picking up another stone and throwing it again.

This time the stone hit one of the bandits and he toppled over, while the other bandit looked at his buddy Lyn sliced him in the chest. He fell backwards and didn't move, I climbed down and ran to her.

"I actually did it, okay, I missed the first time but still…"

"Lucky you did," Lyn sighed, "And lucky you hit him instead of me."

I paused, I hadn't thought of that, "Yeah that too, now come on. Sain and Kent are going to be in anytime now."

She nodded and we ran to the front door, it was a wood double door. I pulled a key from one of the bandits and placed it in the door, slowly turning it until I heard a click. I looked at her and she nodded, pushed the door open quickly and violently and she ran in, sword drawn and took the three bandits in by surprise. Before the other bandits could attack, the wall crumbled and Kent and Sain ran in. Kent defeated one bandit while Lyn and Sain got the second one. There was only one more left, he sat on the chair in the room, in his left hand was the Mani Katti, and he had a fairly large sword in his right hand.

(End: Girl Named Shelke)

"Do you know who you face, I am Glass! The most feared swordsman in all of Sacae!" the man shouted.

I couldn't help but grin, "That doesn't make sense. If you name is Glass, then you're probably as delicate as glass, kinda hard to be feared with a name like that. Oh well, now it's time to shatter you."

(Play: Days of Ruin – Advance Wars: Days of Ruin)

Glass set down the Mani Katti and ran to us, Lyn charged first and swung her sword. It clashed with Glass's and they were in a blade lock, but Glass had more strength than Lyn did he pushed her away from him and brought his blade back to slice her. Kent dismounted his horse and ran up to parry his blow, holding his blade fencing style.

"Perhaps you shall face me," Kent taunted, twirling his blade.

Glass grinned evilly, "Maybe I would."

Glass and Kent got into a blade duel, their swords clashing and spinning, unfortunately Glass was not bragging, he was a good sword fighter. Kent was starting to sweat a bit, pulling every trick in the book to fend him off. Sain also dismounted his horse and pulled his lance out, he rushed forward and jabbed at Glass's shoulder, the bandit roared angrily and turned to Sain, swiping for his head. Sain ducked and jabbed at his other shoulder, however Glass dodged that one this time. While Sain was dueling him, Lyn was preparing her attack, she got into position on the far end.

"Wait for it," I whispered, Glass was too busy fighting Kent and Sain to even see Lyn. Then right when the two knights had him lower his guard. "Now!"

As Glass turned to the yelling he saw Lyn thrust for his chest, he parried her blow and tried to slice her shoulder off. However Sain and ran up and stabbed his lance though Glass's back. The bandit gave a gasp of shock and dropped his blade, Sain removed his lance and the bandit fell on his stomach, unmoving.

(End: Days of Ruin)

When Kent and Sain disposed of Glass's body, as well as the other bandits, Lyn and I freed the priest who was held in the back room. An elderly man stepped out, he was garbed in a religious uniform and robe, Lyn bowed in respect and I followed suit.

"Ah, you're clothing… are you of the Lorca tribe?" he asked her.

"I am Lyn," she introduced herself, "The chieftain's daughter, are you hurt sir?"

"Thanks to you I am unscathed, you have my gratitude," the priest nodded.

"And the sword? Is it safe?" Lyn asked.

"Yes I have safely sealed the sword away," the priest held up the Mani Katti, "Until I remove my spell the sword cannot be drawn. Now as a token of gratitude, I shall allow you to lay hands upon the Mani Katti. Touch the blade's pattern and pray for a safe journey."

"Oh thank you so much!" Lyn nodded as she placed her hand on the blade's hilt.

Just as she touched it a bright light appeared from it, I had to blink to make sure I didn't imagine it.

"What?" Lyn gasped, "Did—,"

Just then the light appeared again and I knew for a fact I did not imagine it, the Mani Katti had a glow to it after the second flash.

"The sword is…glowing," Lyn said in awe, the priest was a bit awed too.

"It's the power of the spirits," he said, "Lyn, they have looked into your soul and they call out to you."

"What does that mean?" Lyn asked, holding the sword delicately.

"You are the rightful owner," the priest clarified. "You are meant to wield the Mani Katti."

Lyn's mouth dropped and she shook her head in disbelief, "No, I can't… I couldn't…"

"It is the sword's wish," The priest insisted, "If you require more proof, draw it from it's sheath."

Lyn looked a bit unsure, I gave her a reassuring nod and she placed her hand on the hilt. The sword flashed again and she tugged on the handle slightly, then she pulled the sword out of it's sheath. The glowing blade laid on her hands, her eyes wide with shock and wonder.

"It came out effortlessly," she breathed.

The priest was in awe himself, although he hid it better than Lyn did, "I never dared to hope that one day I might meet the wielder of the Mani Katti in my life. I am indeed fortunate to see the sword reach your hands."

"My sword?" Lyn repeated numbly, I nodded.

"Yes, your sword," I told her, she seemed to be finally be absorbing it in.

"It is time for you to go Lyn," the priest said, "You face a great many ordeals. Grip this sword and meet your destiny head on!"

"Yes…yes sir!" Lyn nodded, placing the sword in it's sheath, bowing one more time, and leaving the church.

When we found Sain and Kent we told them about the sword, when we finished they had a face similar to the one Lyn had a few minutes ago. When Lyn drew the sword their awe grew.

(Play: Looking Forward – Advance Wars: Days of Ruin)

"So this is the Mani Katti, a blade with no equal," Sain said as he stared at the sheath.

"This is all so unbelievable," Lyn agreed, "Perhaps the most famous sword in all of Sacae, is in my hand."

"It's not so strange," Kent said, "In fact, many legends tell similar tales, special blades all over to the land call out to their proper owners. And yet when I saw you draw that blade, Lyndis, I felt something extraordinary. That sword was waiting for you, you were meant to draw it."

"Stop it, I'm…I'm nothing special!" Lyn protested.

"Sure you are, you're a very special lady," I interrupted, the three of them turned to look at me and I went into damage control. "Well, what I meant was that…er…I…oh you know what I mean."

Lyn had an odd smile on her face as the other two knights were still confused, Sain however decided to say his opinion. "Think of it this way: some weapons feel more comfortable in your hand right? Well, the Mani Katti feels more comfortable with you. Does this make it easier to accept? It doesn't look like either of us can use it."

Lyn paused for a moment and nodded, I had to admit, Sain actually made sense. Kent seemed to think so too because he gave a slight chuckle. Lyn held the Mani Katti delicately, giving it a slight spin every now and then.

"It…does feel right in my hand, a blade that only I can wield. That seems reasonable enough." She turned to me and held it up to me, "Look Nick, this is the Mani Katti, this is my sword…I will care for it well."

(End: Looking Forward)

"So, what will you do with your other blade? Hold onto it?" I wondered.

"Yes, I guess I will," she said, putting away the Mani Katti, "Why, you want it?"

"Ah heh, me? No," I said, "I'd prefer to be a strategist thank you, not a warrior. Sides, I might accidentally kill you instead of helping you."

Sain and Lyn laughed at that, Kent frowned a bit but remained silent. The four of us decided to make camp near the temple that night, some of the villagers made us food out of their gratitude for helping the priest. They were stews and breads but they were good, and I love bread, homemade bread really.

"Mmm, pretty nice that the villagers went through all this trouble for us," I said after taking a bite of the homemade bread.

"This is nothing," Sain grinned, "You have to see the feasts of Caelin, it is a sight to behold, wondrous foods all over the table: turkeys, fruits, breads, wines, and—,"

"Make him stop!" I begged, "He's making me hungrier!"

Everybody laughed and I just grinned a bit as I took another bite, Kent turned to me and made a strange look that made me stop eating.

"I couldn't help but notice…" Kent said, "You seemed a bit… tired today, have you been resting enough?"

I frowned, I was a bit out of it today. Mostly because every single night I'm filled with some nightmare, and it was bugging me every day, and it gets worse after every battle. I shrugged a bit and continued eating, stopping after another bite to answer his question.

"Yeah, I am, why do you ask?"

I don't think Kent believed me, his eyes showed disbelief as he spoke, "You're our tactician, if you're not well rested then how do you expect us to succeed in protecting Lyndis?"

"Um, I don't really swing a sword around," I frowned. "I don't think it would matter either way if—,"

"No you don't swing a sword," Kent interrupted, "But you do think of battle plans, and if you don't get an adequate amount of rest your battle tactics will be affected."

I should have saw that coming, yet I didn't, I'm a bit dumb like that. Sain finished a spoon of his stew and turned to me.

"I think Kent's right, is something keeping you awake? Why don't you tell us?" he asked.

I was beginning to feel irritated, I knew they meant well but I'd rather they'd leave well enough alone. "I don't have a problem, so please… stop asking me about it?"

Lyn looked at me with a worried glance, and Kent and Sain exchanged glances. I looked at my bowl of stew and felt guilt, should I be lying to them? But what if I told them the truth: that I've been having nightmares since my first battle here in Elibe. Is it so terrible, I mean Kent and Sain probably had them on their first battle, would it be so bad? To tell them I'm not as strong as I should be…?

I remember back in Elementary school, I was finally old enough to sit in the back of the bus with the big kids. After spending a lot of time in the front and middle section I could finally go in the back. I sat in one of the back seats next to one older kid, I felt a little nervous because this was new to me. I can't remember that day too well when I look back at it, but I remember the big kids saying something, and the others were laughing along. I just wanted to be liked, if only a little, so I joked along with them. Just then the big kids were sorta quiet and I was confused, then someone pointed out something I'll never forget.

"Dude, we're making fun of you."

I never forgot it, even if the events of the bus were muddled. They were sitting their, making little jokes about me to their buddies. What the hell? What did I do to them? Nothing, I was just an easy target, the new guy to the backseat. I never sat in the back seat again after that day…

I can't tell them, I can't. I'm not willing to go through that again, so what if their problems were like mine? I'm not going to be an easy target for behind my back private jokes. I sighed, set my bowl down and stood up.

"I'm going to bed a bit early, good night," I walked over to my bag and slipped in it, I could feel their confused and worried glances on me.

So I laid down, my stomach full with warm stew and light bread. Lyn was still awake with Sain (who was taking the night's watch), and soon Kent had reluctantly fallen asleep.

Sometime during the night I woke up to hear the light singing again, this time I would see who it was. I lifted my head and looked around, the only one who was up was Lyn. My jaw dropped, why didn't I catch it sooner? Lyn could sing? Before I could call out to her I felt sleepy again, oh well, I'll confront her later.

To be continued

That's it, I held off posting to add a bit more character detail to Nick. I hope you like it.