Joshua raced through the corridors of Jehanna Hall, cutting down all who stood in his way. Over the past few days, Eirika's forces had continued repelling the Grado Army as they approached the capital, with the reinforcements from Rausten providing much needed relief for the initial troops who had journeyed with the princess of Renais. During that time, Joshua and Natasha had grown almost inseparable, providing support for each other on and off the battlefield. The day before they had arrived at Jehanna Hall, Joshua revealed his identity as the long-lost prince who had vanished ten years prior. After her initial surprise, Natasha had then realized the implications that she would one day become royalty herself. Joshua had then reassured her that they wouldn't plan on doing anything until after the war was over, and asked her to keep his identity a secret, promising that he would tell everyone after rescuing his mother and kingdom.

That seemed like a lifetime ago now, as the sheer number of Grado troops within the castle had filled Joshua with a sense of dread. Faster than almost everyone in the entire army, he had dashed ahead of the main force once the gates had been breached, showing his mastery of the sword as he effortlessly carved a path towards the throne room, determined to cut down the general leading these forces and reclaiming his home.

After decapitating a druid who couldn't even prepare a spell in time, Joshua kicked open the doors to the central chamber, stopping his frenzy for the first time upon seeing who awaited within the throne room. A seasoned sword master stood waiting, a wind blade gripped in his right hand.

"Carlyle? What is the meaning of this?" Joshua's mind was blank, his fear and dread replaced with shock.

After giving him a puzzled look, Carlyle's eyes widened as he realized who was in front of him.

"Joshua…could it be…?" His voice was trembling, as though he was fighting a battle within himself.

"You kept her safe, you taught me how to wield a blade. You of all people…"

Joshua now felt anger filling his mind, blocking out everything he had ever felt for his former teacher.

"You've returned. But now, it's too late. It's far too late."

Without another word, Carlyle engaged Joshua, bringing his sword in a cross slash that sent a blade of wind flying towards the younger man. Dodging on reflex, Joshua rolled beneath the projectile and brought his silver sword up in a rising motion, which Carlyle deflected and responded with a downward cut. The two myrmidons traded several blows, and in those moments, Joshua came to a realization. While he was a formidable adversary, he himself was now faster and stronger than his former mentor. Also, Carlyle seemed conflicted both mentally and emotionally, which impaired his skill with a blade. After dodging a thrust with just a slight shift to the left, Joshua severed his opponent's hand and impaled him in the stomach in one smooth motion.

Carlyle grunted as Joshua pulled his sword free, falling back onto the steps leading to the throne behind him as reinforcements finally entered the room.

"Joshua, please don't go running off like that! How are we supposed to protect each other if you go charging into the enemy forces without a second thought?"

Natasha approached him with a worried look on her face, followed by Eirika, L'arachel and Innes.

"Sorry to make you worry, but I had it under control," Joshua replied, his anger fading as he gazed at his former teacher. "Besides, I took a gamble that you guys would have my back when it mattered. Seems like I won that bet, as well as defeated the general of the forces stationed here."

"I suppose given your track record, you were bound to win despite the odds," Innes chuckled, shaking his head in bemusement. "It was also wise to leave the general alive, so we can question him before he dies."

"Yes, thank you Joshua," Eirika agreed, nodding towards him as she approached Carlyle. She had already sheathed her rapier and was gazing at the wounded man with sympathy and compassion.

"Sir, this battle is over. Our forces have reclaimed the castle, and we have need of your assistance. Do you know where the queen is? It's vital that we find her before something happens to her or the Sacred Stone."

Carlyle coughed, a trickle of blood coming down the corner of his mouth as he struggled to take a breath.

"The queen…she was taken. Ismaire…all I wanted was…"

With a shudder and a sigh, he slumped forward and breathed no more.

"So not only is the queen absent, but so is the Sacred Stone," Innes said in a serious tone, glancing around the throne room before turning to leave. "We must spread out and search for her at once. I'll cover the northern portion of the castle."

"Agreed. I shall start with the eastern section. I'll be sure to have Rennac lend me a hand," L'arachel mused to herself, following Innes out the doors.

After sparing one last glance at Carlyle, Joshua left without saying a word, his fears returning at the mention of his mother. Natasha followed silently behind him, worried about what they might find.

A few minutes later, a general call was made that the queen had been found. Joshua rushed to the room in question, to find his mother being supported by Seth, with Eirika, Innes and Natasha present. There was a giant gash across her chest, and her breathing was shallow.

"Queen Ismaire…is she…?" Innes looked as though he already knew the answer and was regretting having to ask.

Seth shook his head. "Her injuries are…she will not last much longer."

Ismaire stirred, her eyes slowly opening.

"Jo…Joshua…"

Joshua felt his heart skip a beat, a lance of pain going through his chest.

"Oh Joshua…where is…that boy…"

"Queen Ismaire…" Eirika looked on the verge of tears, her compassionate nature nearly overwhelming her.

"Please forgive me, Joshua," Ismaire lamented, closing her eyes. "I was a foolish mother…I was so intent on being queen that I spared no time to be your mother. But I loved you nonetheless…please understand…"

After a small pause, Joshua stepped forward, a sad smile on his face.

"…I know, Mother."

Everyone looked at Joshua in surprise except for Natasha, who was holding one of Ismaire's hands and was gazing at him with silent tears flowing down her face.

Ismaire opened her eyes once more, and a smile slowly formed as she gazed upon her only child.

"It really is you…Joshua, my son…"

"I'm sorry, Mother. I should never have left you. I've no excuse," Joshua confessed, taking her other hand in both of his own. "I wanted to see the world as a man, not as a prince. I wanted to be worthy. I planned on returning to your side afterward. I was so foolish. If I'd been here, I could have-"

"No, it's fine. You're here now," Ismaire reassured, squeezing his hand slightly. "Listen to me, Joshua. The Stone of Jehanna has…been destroyed. The one who tempted Carlyle is responsible."

"What? Who was it?" Joshua asked earnestly, ignoring the various reactions around him to the news.

"…Carried a dark stone," Ismaire replied, her breathing becoming more labored. "It is…the origin of all this…it should not exist. Joshua, you must…our country…our people…"

"I understand, Mother," Joshua said gently, giving her hand a light squeeze in return.

"Thank you, Joshua…" Ismaire slowly turned her head to gaze at the table on her left. "I have something…Something I must give you…"

Following her line of sight, Joshua used his right hand to open the chest that was upon it. His eyes widened as he saw what lay within.

"This is…"

"It's one of the Sacred Twin relics, unique to House Jehanna," Ismaire confirmed, nodding towards the sapphire blade that gleamed within the chest. "He who would rule our land must possess it…I've watched over it since your father passed away. I kept it safe and waited for this day to come…"

Slowly reaching in, Joshua raised the sword in his right hand, marveling at the lightness as well as the keen edge of the blade.

"Mother, I have it now. I understand it's meaning," Joshua said in wonder, putting the blade down upon the table as he turned back to face her.

"Joshua, I'm so sorry. I wish there was more I could do…" Natasha finally spoke, her voice steady despite the tears streaming down her face.

"My dear…I can see it in your eyes. You love my son, don't you?" Ismaire was now turned towards the cleric, her gaze never wavering even as her breathing slowed.

"Yes…with all of my heart," Natasha responded, giving the queen a smile as her eyes shined with unshed tears.

"I'm glad…he will need you…in the years to come," Ismaire said gently, bringing her hands together so that Natasha and Joshua were joined with her in the center. "I give you both my blessing…I wish you…all the happiness…in the world…"

Closing her eyes, Ismaire passed away with a soft smile on her face.

"Mother…"

After staring at his mother for several moments, Joshua slowly stood, pulled his hands away, and left the room.

"Joshua…"

Eirika looked as though she wanted to follow him, but Innes put a hand on her shoulder, shaking his head slightly.

"Give him time to process this. Besides," he added, watching as Natasha left in pursuit of Joshua, "I believe there's only one person who can reach him now."

Natasha didn't have to go far; she found Joshua in an empty room a few doors down, his back to her as he stared out a window into the desert his country was famous for.

"Joshua…we promised to always be there for each other," Natasha started, surprising herself with the newfound strength she had gained from the relationship they had. "Don't lock away your heart after giving it to me. Please…just talk to me."

She walked forward a few steps and stopped behind him, close enough to touch him, but waiting for his response before she did anything else.

"…After my father died, my mother took over ruling Jehanna in his place," Joshua replied after a small pause, his voice wavering slightly. "I'd grown tired of the formality of palace life, so…I just left. I wrote a farewell and left the palace, taking nothing with me."

Natasha nodding silently, patiently waiting for him to continue.

"I felt I could never understand the people while I stayed sequestered in a castle. So, for the last ten years, I abandoned my identity and roamed the continent, working where I could. I wanted only to be worthy of becoming king. I knew one day I would return."

Suddenly, he slammed his hand against the window, startling Natasha into taking a step back.

"Gods, I was so foolish! I was such a child, I see it now. Was I simply punishing my mother? Punishing her for attending her duties?"

"Joshua…you could never do something like that," Natasha replied, stepping forward and putting a hand on his shoulder. "You are the most compassionate, considerate, caring man I have ever known. You would never intentionally hurt your mother out of spite, it's not in your nature."

Joshua finally turned to face Natasha, revealing the tears that were slowly falling down his cheeks.

"All those years, how long did my mother wait before she started believing I was dead? Believing that I had abandoned her to live without a husband or son? How can the people accept me as king when I left my mother to die alone?"

"But she didn't die alone," Natasha explained, gently cradling his face in her hands. "You were there for her and gave her the closure she needed to die in peace. She forgave you, and so will your people. For what it's worth, I forgive you as well. Now all that remains is for you to forgive yourself, which I will help you do if it takes all of our days."

Joshua gazed at her the same way they had when they finally accepted their feelings for each other, his eyes first full of fear and doubt, but then being replaced with hope and love. He took a shaky breath and then let out a sigh as he closed his eyes, slowly moving his head forward until their foreheads touched.

"Perhaps my mother was a prophet," he muttered wryly, stroking her cheek with his left hand. "She saw how special you were to me the moment she laid eyes on you. I can't imagine what my life would be like without you."

"And you won't have to," Natasha responded kindly, smiling as she leaned into his hand, wiping away his tears. "After all, you still have a bet to win, which I have stakes in as well."

Joshua chuckled, pulling back and placing a kiss on her forehead.

"You know me so well," he said warmly, smiling at how even a simple gesture of affection could still make her blush. "Thanks for bringing me back. Now let's rejoin the others; they deserve an explanation."

Natasha nodded, returning his smile as they exited the room holding hands.

"I was a fool, yes, but I learned much over these ten years," Joshua declared, facing Eirika, Innes and L'arachel. He had parted ways from Natasha earlier, promising to find her once he was done talking to the other royals.

"I have learned about the hearts of our people, how they need to be governed," Joshua continued, "I have learned how our country needs to change and to grow. I have learned much but lost much more."

Joshua paused at this point, glancing down as a fresh wave of grief washed over him.

"Prince Joshua…"

Eirika was looking at him with sympathy, and it occurred to Joshua she knew exactly how he felt, since her father had been slain by the Grado Army as well.

"I made a promise. I want to continue what she began," Joshua said firmly, bringing his gaze back to his fellow royals. "I will help defeat Grado. I will defend Jehanna and her allies. I know it doesn't sound like me, but..."

"On behalf of Frelia, I came to Jehanna with a letter to the throne," Innes pronounced, gazing at Joshua with newfound respect. "I give it to you. Prince Joshua of Jehanna, let us fight together."

"Renais, Frelia, Rausten and Jehanna. Four nations united!" L'arachel exclaimed excitedly, her enthusiasm never wavering.

"Yes, I suppose that's true. And my brother is with us as well," Eirika added, her expression wistful. "And if it were possible…Lyon, I wish you could be here with us too."

Suddenly, a solider came running around a corner, a strange smell following in his wake.

"Fire! Fires have broken out all throughout the hall!" he cried, as smoke started coming down the hall.

"What?" Joshua was not ready for more surprises being thrown his way.

"The curtains were soaked in oil, with torches set about the hall. It's a trap!" the solider explained. "Someone did this during all the fighting. You must flee! Quickly, before the flames engulf us all!"

As the solider ran off, Seth came riding up on his horse, flames starting to become visible down the corridor.

"Princess Eirika, we must evacuate," he said urgently, holding out his hand for her to take.

"I know. Joshua, we must go. Now," Eirika replied as she hoisted herself in front of Seth who made a straight shot for the front gates.

"No…Mother…forgive me," Joshua said sadly, taking one last look at his home before fleeing the flames.