A/N: Hey, just a quick author's note here. Sorry for the delay in posting, but here you go! And please for the love of Maple review, review, review!

Chapter 2: The Pact

Azure picked at the package of unagi, keeping a loose eye on the Dawn Warrior below. It was no secret that tension amongst the classes had been rising as of late and that more skirmishes had been popping up, yet here seemed to be a Cygnus Knight that was honest if somewhat carefree. The young thief held no preconceived notions of trust or mistrust, but one lesson he'd learned early in life was that while genuinely good people exist, for every one of them there are ten self-serving backstabbers that lie as often as they breathe. With a sigh he discarded the barely eaten food and stood up.

'I suppose I really should eat more, but it's just not nearly as satisfying if it has nothing to heal' he mused. A loud cry broke him from his reverie and the Dual Blade snapped to attention, only to see his new companion use Slash Blast and blow three boars away. He watched as the Dawn Warrior made his way up the treacherous ledges until he finally reached the young thief. "Done for the day?"

Cecil stretched and cracked his neck, sighing in relief as he did so. "I think so, we've got no more business here. I don't think we're quite ready for facing the trial of the job advancement yet, however we are getting close" the warrior said with a grin.

Azure shrugged and leaned against the rocky wall. "Perhaps in your case, but given my circumstances it's up to me to make the call when I'm ready. I have the books necessary for my advancement, but my father was insistent I practice patience in my advancement, and only do so when I feel I have a mastery over all its skills", the youth murmured, running a hand through his blue hair.

Cecil's eyes bulged almost comically at that remark. "What? It'll take you years to reach your goal then!" The warrior straightened himself out and apologized. "Sorry, it's just that you seemed so motivated earlier I could have sworn you'd be one of those types to advance through the ranks in no time flat."

Azure started chuckling, and soon broke out into a full blown laugh. Seeing his new friend's confusion he explained, "Oh I do, and faster than you may ever believe. I only opened the manuscript for the first time last week" the Dual Blade remarked casually, amused at the Dawn Warrior's strangled gasp in surprise. "When I said I was training my body I meant it. I've faced enemies that could bring you or I to death's door in a single blow, with nothing more than Dark Sight as a means of escape."

"Why in Ereve's name would you do that?" that warrior exclaimed, wondering if the first thief he'd befriended was crazy.

Azure's face darkened and his fists clenched. "Because there are people that have earned my ire, very powerful people to be exact", he growled. "Experience is an edge one cannot obtain so easily, so I put myself through hell to give myself equal footing. "

Cecil frowned and crossed his arms, a contemplative look on his face. "Truly? But was it necessary to go to such absolute extremes? Is your desire for revenge that deep?" he inquired.

Azure shook his head eyes closed. "Nay" he started, "revenge is not the driving force, however the forces I will be pitting myself in the future will be some of the strongest of our time." The Dual Blade opened a single eye and his stare seemed to penetrate the Dawn Warrior. "And I'm certain that the only other holder of the Dual Blade manuscripts as well as the current Dark Lord are amongst them" he whispered.

"You're full of madness" the warrior stated, sheathing his blade, "but I suppose the greatest heroes always are." Cecil brushed a loose stray of hair out of his eyes and peered closely at the young thief. "The only thing I don't understand is why you've revealed this all to me. Although my friendship is genuine I highly doubt you trust me so much as to reveal such dangerous secrets."

Azure nodded in agreement, glad the warrior had caught on. "Indeed, while I was somewhat skeptical of your easy friendship before, you initially came off as an extrovert. I was counting on the fact that you would spread word of my being" the thief explained.

Cecil tilted his head slightly in confusion. "You intend to give your enemies forewarning of your coming?" he asked, unsure the motive.

Azure shrugged and looked away. "I suppose, I wasn't really too sure how to go about it, so in the end I figured spreading rumors of a different type of thief out for blood would give the Dark Lord something to be concerned about" the teen spoke, a hint of doubt in his voice.

The Dawn Warrior pondered the response, thinking over its faults and strengths. 'I can see how this approach may be effective…yet to be the Dark Lord his skill must be in a league of its own…' "I wonder" the warrior mused, "am I the first you've really announced your presence to?" Cecil's light grey eyes held a gleam, a plan forming in his mind.

"Indeed" Azure replied, tilting his head in confusion at the warrior's question. "Why? Do you believe you have a better approach? I for one know my strengths, and long term strategies would be my weakest area, so if you have better ideas feel free to suggest something" the teen continued.

"Well" Cecil began, rubbing his stubble of a beard, "perhaps a more subtle approach would be more effective. Announcing yourself so early may prove disastrous should he actually consider you a threat and have you eliminated in short order."

The Dual Blade nodded, eyes narrowed. "True, I had not considered that possibility, but news of a new class of thief would surely perk his attention" the teen admitted, slightly ashamed he hadn't considered the possibility. "So what do you suggest? I assume you have something in mind when you say a subtle approach is required?"

The older teen nodded speaking slowly, "Yes. I believe it might be a wise idea to gain strength first off. Should he consider you a threat then you must be able to defend yourself from any Chief Bandits or Hermits he might send after you."

Azure nodded, a thoughtful look on his face. "That makes sense, but in this instance I would assume he would first send out a Bandit or Assassin to assess the validity of the rumor."

"Oh?" Cecil asked. "You think he would send someone of a weaker skill level to investigate a possible threat?"

The blue-haired youth nodded, absolute in his assessment. "Yes, I remember how politics work in Kerning. Should an unsubstantiated rumor draw such a prominent response, it would reflect poorly on the Dark Lord, as others would see him as slightly fearful for his position."

The warrior chuckled, catching on. "Ahh, of course, order of command!" he stated. Seeing the thief's confused look he explained, "A leader must present a strong front at all times. To ignore his lower followers and respond in high-end force to a mere rumor would bring uncertainties to his ability as a leader."

"Indeed" Azure replied, glad his friend had caught on. The Dual Blade seemed uncertain as he continued, "So I should stick to the original plan, but when I'm stronger?"

Cecil shook his head in the negative, realizing had hadn't explained the whole plan. "No, it is but the first step. The next would be to gather information and pick a target, one that is either close to the Dark lord, or one the Dark Lord feels confident in the abilities of. THAT would be your initial target" the warrior explained.

Azure thought about the plan for a moment before deciding it contained no major faults. "I see…so I would defeat this target and announce myself as a threat to the Dark lord, correct?" the thief inquired.

The Dawn Warrior nodded, "Indeed, however this would also be a show of force if you would, as anyone close to the Dark Lord is bound to be skilled. Taking out a powerful fighter, and one the Dark Lord has regular contact with, is bound to attract his attention as much as a direct threat would. The difference being your anonymity will give you an edge in future battles AND put him on edge" Cecil explained, revealing the true depth of his plan. 'I may not be book smart, but I'll be damned if I wasn't force-fed strategy from Sir Neinhart for three years' Cecil mused with an internal chuckle.

"Ah! I see! That strategy surely outdoes my own!" Azure stated, enthusiasm seeping into his voice. 'It seems fate has rewarded my tentative venture in offering my friendship…' "My sincere thanks Cecil, your strategy far exceeds my own" he stated.

Cecil waved off the thanks, blushing slightly. "Nonsense, I simply had a good teacher is all. Besides, this will be bound to be a hell of adventure for us!" the Dawn Warrior stated, enthusiasm catching.

Azure stumbled, surprise evident in his face. "What? Knowing what I plan to do, and the difficult opponents I plan to challenge you would travel alongst side me?" Despite the fact the thief had extended his friendship, and was by no means sheltered, such a gesture was enormous to him. 'Dawn Warriors are the pinnacle of righteous warriors. For him to offer such a thing makes it nigh impossible he means anything but the truth!'

Cecil unsheathed his blade and stared at the gleaming metal for a moment, before nodding and hefting it over his shoulder. "Indeed. Monsters have been growing in number and power, and adventurers are partying more often for safety. And while I have no doubt neither of us needs such protection at this point, I sense you have the potential and drive to reach that goal. I too seek to become powerful, as the threat of the Black Mage draws closer. True strength is having comrades you can trust with your life to face the most difficult challenges life may have alongside you, and I believe you such a person."

The air hung heavy with such powerful words. Cecil stood, surprised he actually spoke what he was thinking, and Azure, shocked at what appeared to be an honest offer to become partners of which would rock their world.

"I…accept. And do so honored at your words" Azure murmured. "Truly, we shall become stronger then, stronger than anyone before us." The Dual Blade's eyes locked on to the Dawn Warrior's, and a silent pact was made.

Many historic events had occurred in the world of Maple, some in secret, some brashly proclaimed, some even in blood. As fate would have it, the sealing of this pact was nothing special besides the teaming up of two youths with endless potential. Fate however, is not known as a bitch without cause.

A deafening roar broke the tense moment, as a loud crash brought the two youth's attention to the other side of the field, where a large draconic beast had landed on the ground. As luck would have it, it must have been Fate's time of the millennia, as said drake was a fully grown Fire Drake.

"…" the two fierce warriors stated, backing away slowly. It was unfortunate for the two of them that no one had ever told them the reason few did EXTENDED training at wild boars was that Drakes were strongly attracted to the scent of boar blood. The very same blood that said slayers of boars happened to have on them.

The Fire Drake sniffed around before locking his gaze on the two adventurers and letting out another roar, followed by a large fireball.

Azure and Cecil leapt to opposite sides, feeling the immense heat the large projectile made as it was by as incinerated two boars a bit farther back. They looked at each other and nodded, before pulling out their weapons. With a nod they charged.

The Fire Drake, not to be intimidated charged towards its next intended meal, spitting out two smaller fireballs at each morsel.

Cecil heaved his blade and called out "Slash Blast!" as he slammed his blade into the ground, kicking up a large amount of debris and dirt to block his fireball before continuing his charge.

Simultaneously Azure sped up and leapt towards the vertical rocky wall along his side, and barely touched his other foot down before kicking off with it, launching him even higher and over the other fireball.

Seeing the two warriors approaching extremely close, the Fire Drake stopped and built up a large flame in the back of its throat before unleashing yet another massive fireball directly ahead.

Once more Cecil dodged to the side and summoned his Light Soul to aid him. He charged the beast's side and unleashed a Power Strike, but his sword simply bounced off the reptile's scales. He was caught unawares when the Fire Drake's tail whipped around, and he was sent sprawling on the ground.

At the same time Azure focused on his weapons, boosting their speed as he jumped and slid beneath the fireball. Once the flame had passed, he rolled into a ball and sprung towards the Fire Drake's face, only to drop once again, narrowly avoiding a waiting row of teeth. He tried a quick Triple Stab, but his blades barely drew blood from the beast. The thief avoided the whipping tail and cast Dark Sight, formulating a new plan of attack. He snuck over to Cecil and whispered his plan before setting off once more.

Cecil got up and held his sword in front of himself, as he and the Fire Drake circled each other slowly. A flash of metal blinded him for a moment, as the drake released a terrible shriek of pain as Azure reappeared in front of it, landing a Triple Stab in its right eye. As the beast staggered backwards, releasing random breaths of flame, the thief ran back, getting singed on the side as the Dawn Warrior rushed behind the beast and unleashed a mighty Power Strike into the lizard's tail, nearly severing it. A second swing finished the job, and Cecil thanked Cygnus his armor withstood flames as the beast turned around and shot a small burst of flame at the retreating warrior.

Azure ignored the burn on his side and leapt on the beast that was now facing away from him, landing on its back. Thanking whatever deity gave him the idea many years ago to wear mesh metal gloves, he hooked his katara under the dino's neck and pulled upwards, causing it to rear its head and shriek repeatedly.

Knowing time was of the essence; Cecil rushed forward and released another Power Strike, but upwards towards the katara. The blade sunk into the beast's neck by about two inches, releasing a spray of blood over the warrior.

Azure went for the finisher and pulled himself over the beast's head. He quickly spun around and dove to the ground, landing on his hands and pushing himself up, his feet kicking upwards and hitting either side of the katara, leaving the beast's head barely attached.

The Fire Drake uttered a low moan as it staggered for a second before falling over, dead. Blood poured out of its mouth and the last light of life left its eyes.

The duo breathed a sigh of relief and cleaned themselves off as best they could. Azure quickly collected the beast's teeth and most of its skin, knowing that certain people in Perion would pay handsomely for such undamaged materials.

Cecil sheathed his sword and glanced at Azure, a slight grin on his face. "Perhaps we aren't too far off from being ready for the next advancement, eh?"

Azure laughed at that, relieved that they'd come out winners of such an unusual fight. "Perhaps. We did defeat a monster out of our league, and with fairly few injuries, however a little more preparation wouldn't hurt, right?"

The Dawn Warrior nodded, leading the way back to Perion. "Quite, being properly prepared is probably the best way to reach our goals…but for now a little food would go a long way!"

The Dual Blade nodded, having worked up an appetite as well. "Agreed, we have plenty of meat. Alas, it's a shame the damn lizard couldn't cook itself!"