Here's chapter 3. This is a short chapter, but that's because this is "a chapter between two events and is more a fill-up". And I have also a bit of a Writer's Block.

I saw some of you guys take my author's note the wrong way. I meant that you don't have to worry, because last chapter was the soggiest and the end is like "WHUT?!" (or at least I hope so).

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

The days passed after Inigo's departure. Although I missed him so much, I shed no tear. I had other concerns in my head. After Inigo left, Risen continued attacking. Despite the guards warnings, I grabbed my sword and left to fight. I got back-up from Cynthia on her Pegasus. Not many soldiers were left, but we had to keep my kingdom safe. I couldn't let another innocent citizen die by Grima's dark forces. The few original Shepherds left fought by my side: Vaike and Stahl. The most were killed, but some, such as Henry and Kellam, disappeared completely. With my father's sword in my hands, I ran into the battlefield. Risen everywhere. I rushed toward one of the demon zombies and stabbed the tip of the blade through its chest. With a shrill growl, the enemy went up in purple smoke. My sword stayed clean, whatever I did. The power of Naga herself flowed through the silver blade and gave me the strength through the golden hilt. The energy went through my body in perfect harmony as I swung Falchion towards the enemy. I killed many Risen. But then...I heard something. My eyes widened in a split second when I identified the sound. Too late! My flank was struck by an arrow, with the metal point digging deep into my flesh.

'Argh!' I shouted in pain and pulled it out. I broke it and flung it on the floor, while cursing that damn thing.

'Someone with a staff out there?' I yelled and looked at my allies. Nope, no healer out there. Where was a healer when you needed him? Then I had to be extra careful. One critical hit and I was done. My sword pierced through another Risen. Then my ear caught another sound. I looked behind and froze when I saw a Risen lashing out with his sword. I closed my eyes as I tried to protect myself in the last second.

'Hya!' a battle cry echoed through the area. I opened my eyes and saw my sister impaling the attacker with her lance.

'Thank me later!' Cynthia smiled at me as she flew further, impaling the one after another. She had an advantage in this battle, since there were only a few mages and archers. It were mostly sword and spear wielders. We had no tactician, so we just ran around and killed everything we saw. The battle was harsh, but the Risen were no match for us.

'Ok guys, this battle is over,' Stahl said and walked to me.

'The Vaike wins again,' the blond axe wielder said. I stuck Falchion back in its scabbard.

'We may win now, but the troubles aren't over yet. Not until Grima is gone forever!' I shouted and looked at the ground. If that would ever happen. Maybe this was just reprieve. But no, we mustn't give up. As long as we could fight, we would do so! For everyone we loved, dead and alive.

That was the key to my determination. With that thought, I kept fighting. It didn't matter how injured I was when I returned. The healers at home were incredible. Every day, I went out to fight. But how much I tried, Grima was unbeatable. His armies were everywhere. I saw villages burn to ash before my eyes. I saw Risen taking many lives. Those lives...it was my fault. If I had fought a bit better, I would have been there to save them. I grabbed one of my pillows and flung it against the wall of my room in frustration. My kingdom was at the edge of collapse. Mankind was the victim of mass extinction. All that, because of that the leader of Plegia and his damn dragon. I smacked my fist on my blanked. Then the door opened.

'Lucy, you're all right?' Cynthia asked in her night dress. My frustrated face turned calmer when I saw my sister.

'Sorry Cynthia to wake you up,' I apologised.

'You don't have to apologise. I am just worried about you. I mean, ruling this land is quite a job sis.'

'It's not only that. It's just...we are doomed...it's just a matter of time before we fall and lose everything we love.' My sister took a seat next to me.

'But you don't have to do it alone. We are always at your side,' my sister said. That hit me.

'But I don't want you to get hurt. I care too much about you!'

'I just want you to be happy, so can I do anything to make you happy, I would do it.' My sister hugged me. I demand you to keep smiling. Inigo's words echoed through my mind. I managed to smile at my sister.

'Just promise me to stay alive...'

Yet to come: The raven's call of death.

-Pitta.