Ok. I'm going to try to be good about updates. With school, that may be difficult but I'll still definitely try! I want to thank those who have reviewed consistently throughout the story. (Sorenfangirl, Gamefreek, Arbella Scott, Forgotten hyoshi, Nami san, and Little Liger.) Your support is greatly appreciated and I always look forward to what you have to say! For everyone, must I reiterate….R&R! Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Gallia Hall

"Sir! We have brought back some of the Crimean knights! They're in the dungeon!" A soldier burst through the doors of the throne room, his excitement uncontained.

"They are some prisoners? Very good." The king of beasts stood up. "What about general Skrimir? Shouldn't he be the one to make such announcements?"

"I'm sorry, my lord, but general Skrimir is still leading our troops. He ordered us to come in his stead." The soldier froze, then bowed. "Pardon me, my lord. In all my excitement…"

"Do not worry about it. How many of them did you catch?"

"Four, milord."

"Only four? But it is a start. You have done good to bring them back. If you would, take me to them."

"Yes, of course."

Caineghis began to follow the soldier, his guests exchanging looks as he did. The others had gone to see the sights of Gallia, leaving only the two rulers and Reyson to sit and converse with the mighty beast king Caineghis. Even the Holy Guard had left the Apostle's side, but only at Sanaki's own request. Tibarn stood up from his mat, arms akimbo and head thrown back and tilted in an inquiring manner. "Hey, aren't we invited? This whole affair is the reason that we came, after all."

"Yes, I think we should all get to see what is truly happening around here." The empress agreed.

"You sure you want to go without those Pegasus guards of yours?"

"You plan on going without your entourage, hawk king. They won't be needed for this." She grinned. "Besides, how often are we granted the freedom of not having them by our sides?

"If you wish to you are all welcome. Yes, we should all see what is happening together, my friends." Caineghis stopped, gesturing for them to stand up with a mighty hand.

Reyson barely got to his feet before fell back down onto his knees. The pale heron gripped his head tightly, shaking viciously for a few seconds before his body stilled. "Reyson!" The voice was unidentifiable to him.

"Reyson!" The voice called again. Tibarn knelt down next to the white prince, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, just….that same premonition again."

"Ha. I wouldn't want to get whatever type of "premonition" you get." The large hawk joked. "Seems like you herons got a worse deal than better one with that."

"It's….aggravating to say the least." He rose weakly, spreading his wings slightly to keep his balance. "I'm fine now. We can continue.""Are you sure? You can go lie down if you want. We're only going to look at some beorc in cages. Nothing too fancy." Tibarn urged. "No. Honestly, I am okay."

"What is the matter with him?" Sanaki questioned.

"Ever since the whole Gallia/Crimea affair, he's been getting sick from some type of premonition he keeps getting. He thinks it has to do with all the tension."

"Not so much the tension. There's something else that looms…It is hard for me to explain. Like an evil magic. I began to sense it a little before that one soldier came in but a moment ago it was just really strong."

"Strange. I felt nothing." The empress commented. "Still, it is possible that you would notice it before myself."

"We should continue to the dungeon." Reyson redirected towards the matter. "Whatever this feeling I have is, it will become clear with time."

The Gallian dungeon was poorly kept at best. None of the other cells were occupied aside for the one furthest back in the dungeon. The other guards stood in front of the it, carefully watching that the still-bound prisoners were not to escape. Caineghis did nothing more than nod and they moved so that he could get a clear view.

His face soured when he clearly recognized the four individuals. "Geoffrey? So it was you that was leading them? It was all of you, who fought so bravely next to us, who now seek the destruction of our people?"

"Destroy all sub-humans…"They all chanted monotonously in unison.

"This isn't…isn't…beorc or laguz…" The heron trembled again, head tilting down and eyes glaring. "Right here…this is the energy I spoke of… They're not themselves. Nothing should give off that type of presence…"

"Yes…" Sanaki closed her eyes. "I can feel it, too. Their minds are being clouded and controlled by a stronger force." She regained her composure and stared blankly forward. "Something must be happening to Crimea. I do not foresee Queen Elincia having to brainwash her knights into doing her bidding."

"Reyson, now that you're closer to the energy, can you identify it at all?" Tibarn questioned, studying his long-time friend's face.

"No… I don't think this is the source, if the obvious need be stated. I do not--"

The entrance door to the dungeon opened. Slowly, footsteps echoed throughout the entire area. Looks of relief crossed the faces of many, but none more than the king himself. Caineghis chuckled to himself, a small grin even crossing his face despite their current dealings.

"My most trusted friend. You survived. But I should have expected nothing less from my shadow, is that right, Giffca?"

"I am sorry to have burdened you, my king. I was taken off guard by an unknown and unseen enemy. I will not allow it to happen again."

"That is all right. You have returned."

"Sir Giffca!" Sanaki's face brightened. "Our healers were able to help you!"

"Yes. By your presence here, I can safely assume that you received the message. I am glad that my weakness was not a hindrance."

"What was it that attacked you on our borders? I will personally see to it that the Holy Guard apprehends them."

"Empress, I have no answers for you concerning that matter. I was attacked and defeated before I could even spot the foe at hand. However, I do come with unsettling news in regards to Begnion."

"Startling news from Begnion?' Tibarn reiterated. "Is something going on there now, too?"

"Mainal Cathedral." Giffca opened his explanation. "A beast was seen running from inside of it."

"A beast…" Sanaki mused.

"And that is not all. Part of the Begnion army is lining up at the Crimean border."

"Our army? I ordered no such thing! What is the meaning of this!?" Her voice screeched from her anger.

"That I do not know. They seem intent on marching into Crimea."

"Fools! Who is at their lead? They will pay for this treason!"

"I do not know I'm sorry. I wish I had more information for you."

"No." She huffed. "Its all right. I wouldn't have known any of it had you not told me. I apologize that I must so suddenly, but I have to take my leave of you all now. Someone is working against me in Begnion and I need to find out who before this escalades into something irreversible." They watched her exit then exchanged looks with one another.

"Well, this just keeps getting more and more perplexing." Tibarn seemed not even lightly phased by the development.

Reyson narrowed his eyes until they became slits. "I have a bad feeling about this. A very bad feeling."

Crimean outskirts- Begnion troops

"Fwa ha! You're all still brainwashed like the dummies you are! That wizard scares me beyond compare but he does good work! Destroy Crimea! Utterly defeat them so I can at last own one of those beautiful herons!" Oliver yelled out among the masses, his odd attempt at a speech meant to rally his troops."

"Destroy all Crimeans… Destroy Crimeans… DESTROY THE CRIMEANS!" Numerous monotone voices raised from the crowd instinctively, though it seemed like it was on cue.

"I have to say, I wish he had given you more creative things to say. Oh well. I shall persevere!"

Crimean outskirts- Crimean troops

"It does appear that they plan to war with us. Without so much as a declaration… I would have hoped that such things would be beneath the holy country." Renning looked out at the waiting troops of Begnion.

"Ay, it would seem that Begnion has sided with Gallia, whatever their miff with us is. It looks like they must have us outnumbered two to one." Bastian rested his pointer finger against his cheek. "Still, it is not as though we have never seen unfavorable odds. I think that is all we get!"

"Oh, crackers! Look at them all! Bastian, you doofus! You can't honestly think that we can take them all!" Marcia scoffed.

"Why yes I do." He shrugged. "It is no more impossible than other feats we've pulled."

"All right. We have no choice." The queen spoke, determination set clear across her face. "We cannot allow them to enter into inhabited parts of Crimea and endanger the citizens. We have to push them back. My lord uncle and Count Bastian, can you each lead a unit of the lower ranking soldiers?"

They each nodded.

"Marcia, I want you to fly to Daein and petition their help. We have no way of knowing how long Begnion plans to hold out or how many waves they may have after this. We don't have the power to oppose them for too long. Please, see if Queen Micaiah will lend us her strength."

"Oh…I really don't like leaving you when things look so bleak but if that's what you want me to do….I'll go as fast as I can, your majesty!" Marcia flew from the field, dodging arrows as they were shot at her.

"What about me?" A deep voice asked from behind the queen."

"Sir Volke!"

"What do you want me to do?"

"Please, take out as many of them as you can. …How much is it going to cost this time?"

"Nothing. This one is on the house."

"Queen Elincia, with the absence of the Royal knights Please allow us to serve as your guards." Titania offered. "Were Ike here it would be his orders."

"No way. NO WAY." Shinon protested. "Everyone always goes after the lordling and I don't baby sit. Not for free. I ain't about to throw myself into the fire without a price."

"Aw, c'mon Shinon. Don't be like that." Gatrie chided. "Let's show everyone chivalry isn't dead!"

"Well, chivalry isn't about to buy me a new bow, now is it?"

"Its all right. I don't need to be protected." Elincia interjected. "Everyone, I beg of you, fight at your best and live. Bring their commander back alive. Maybe we can talk to him and find out more about what is happening."

Mainal Cathedral- Basement level

"Gwidion! Have you thrown that commander into the cell as I instructed you?" Mannanan inquired, ill patience sharpening his crusty voice.

The beast nodded in a human-like manner.

"Good. Then bring him to me."

Gwidion opened the cell's door with his paw and went in. He returned dangling a young, brunette girl from his mouth. She kicked angrily until the beast dropped her. She stood up, straightening her yellow skirt. "Why am I here?! Why did you capture us?!"

Mannanan looked upon what his pet presented and made an aggravated, low growl. "Us? You captured more than one? I only wanted the commander!"

Gwidion sniffed at the girl then nodded.

"Does she look like a commander to you? I don't care if she smells the same!"

"What do you want with my brother? Who are you?!" Mist asked in almost a complete jumble.

"Imbecile! At least you caught more. Bring me another one." Mannanan commanded.

The beast went back into the cell and did what it was told. It drug out a scrawny, raven haired man whose countenance showed that he was not amused.

"A wizard…. Then you were the one who has been summoning those shadow spirits." Soren spoke calmly, no fear clouding his actions as he stood up next to Mist.

"That is not the commander, either! They don't even bare any similarities!" The sorcerer exclaimed, even more outraged.

"No. I'm the staff sergeant." He stated bluntly.

"Gwidion! You better have gotten one of them right!"

The creature went back into the cell, his third guess being a young woman with blue hair and a sword attached to her waist. He dropped her next to the others.

"We're in Begnion…. This is Mainal Cathedral." Lucia observed the area closer. "I remember this place."

"The commander is a male, Gwidion! The only likeness she has to him is that her hair is blue!"

It returned to the cell, carrying out the last of its captures. It tossed a still unconscious Boyd at the feet of its master, then gestured to the man's build.

"That is still not him! Many people have a large build! Even one as stupid as you should be able to grasp that! I'm warning you, you better have another one in that cell!"

The beast ducked its head down, knowing that it didn't, but returned to the cell in hope. It drug a thin, squirmy, red head out, laying him next to its pile in defeat.

"Watch it! When I figure out what you did so I can't cast spells anymore….!" Tormod yelled angrily at the creature.

"Moron! I caught him! You failed to catch the one person that I commanded you to. Put them all back!"

Gwidion took two trips, but managed to drag them all back in his massive jaw. He stood before the wizard, large tail swishing back and forth nervously.

"Gwidion, you have disobeyed me for the last time!" Mannanan raised his finger and the beast whimpered. A bolt of light struck it and it was engulfed in a cloud of darkness. As the haze faded, the simple cat that Gwidion once was remained in the dust. The small animal trembled violently as the wizard continued to yell. "Spend the rest of your days as an insignificant, domestic cat!" Gwidion was thrown into the cell with the other prisoners and made his way to the back as the sorcerer stormed out of the room.

"Are you injured, little one?" Maurim asked Tormod.

"Naw. Man, that guy is rude!"

"Um…are you all all right?" Vika asked the four who had recently been added to the cell.

Mist looked at Boyd who still lie unconscious. "We are but…I don't know about him."

"He will be fine." Soren stated, more concerned about abating the whining he knew was to come than he was allaying her feelings. "If he hasn't killed himself by his own stupidity yet…."

"Tormod, Maurim, Vika….how did you get here?" Lucia tried to redirect the conversation. "Last that I had heard, empress Sanaki had appointed you all to positions at court. Why would she throw you in here?"

"It was that Mannanan guy! The empress is in Gallia. When we found out that Begnion troops were lining up at the borders to march into Crimea…."

"What?" Her eyes widened. "What do you mean Begnion troops were marching into Crimea?!"

"The empress had no idea they were doing it…" Vika took over. "We were getting ready to go to Gallia to warn her, but when he found out he threw us in here."

"So he doesn't want the empress to know." Soren mused. "And he's marching into Crimea… Let's say that he's also responsible for what happened to the Royal knights and Gallia, as it seems probable. Why is he targeting Crimea?"

"Oh…this just keeps getting worse and worse!" Mist stomped her foot.

"Wait, did something happen to Geoffrey and those guys?" Tormod asked.

Lucia closed her eyes. "Yes, but it's a long story. Right now it's more important that we get out of this cell."

"We can't." Maurim yanked on the door. "Little one's magic is sealed by some sort of barrier around this place. I don't know why, but Vika and I can't transform, either. Without that power we aren't strong enough to force our way out of the cell."

"This is troubling…" Lucia studied the lock.

Soren sighed. "Ike, what have you gotten us into this time?"

Daein- Conference room

Micaiah sat with who used to be members of the Dawn Brigade around a large table, her face sullen. Sothe sat by her side, his eyes as stern as ever.

"And what do you want to do about this, Micaiah?" He asked her.

"I don't know yet. That's why I need all of you to help me to decide." She looked around. "Please, everyone, tell me what you think."

"We should side ourselves with Crimea. No doubt Ike will be fighting for them. They'll win. Begnion's a threat to us. We already know we can't trust them after what they've done to us in the past…" Sothe said.

"Yeah, the only problem with that is the empress wasn't in charge!" Edward argued. "Crimea attacked Gallia first! Why should we defend them?"

"We should side with Begnion." Aran agreed.

"Crimea must have had some motivation for attacking one of their closest allies." Nolan brought up. "We should give that some consideration, too."

Micaiah nodded. "Leonardo, Laura, what do the two of you think."

"We don't have enough information to decide." Leonardo rationalized. "Any decision made now would be as good as a guess. We should stay neutral until we learn more."

"But what is important is what you really think, your highness." Laura looked back at her.

"….We stay neutral until someone comes to us. If that time comes, we'll listen to what they have to say and decide from there. Otherwise, I really don't know…"

"Then we'll wait." Sothe leaned back in his chair, staring blankly out the window. "Trouble will find us soon enough anyway."

??

"There is never peace. It can stem from neither light or dark, nor balance. I have learned that now. Peace… it is a state of mind rather than a state of being. I will not act on this matter. Regardless of how it angers me, I will not take action. But you… what will you do?" A delicate voice echoed through darkness.

"I…I will act. With the last of my power, I must save them. This, after all, is my doing. I succumbed to darkness and I forgot… I allowed the seal to be broken early because of my neglect." Another echo answered.

"I do not believe that this is the affect of your doing. Just as the actions of laguz and beorc once fed me, did it feed the seal. The bindings could only hold through so much. It was a curse I created. I, too, forgot…"

"I must depart at once."

"Will you join them or work alone?"

"That I do not know, but… I cannot allow them to know who I am. After all I made them overcome, I cannot face them as they know me. But I will repent for my sins. Both of ours. I will not allow this careless sin that we share to be the death to them all. They deserve to live. All of them….They must live on."

"Very well. My blessings will shine on you. May you succeed. I'm sorry that I no longer have the power to just make it so…"

"It is better that way. The burdens we carry now…it is all because of the power you were able to once hold. This is the only way to end it. With these final battles, I will erase all of the hold that your influence once held, and laguz and beorc will at long last be free. Free to live…"

Quick note: A certain reviewer requested a certain person who I was unsure what to do with given their position in the game. The person knows who they are and this is what I decided to do with that particular character. I hope them being included makes you happy : ) For future reference, the character will be disguised and isn't an Oc. (some people don't like Oc's so I figured I'd state that here. Gwidion and Mannanan are the only Oc's I plan on having if I can help it. Sometimes it comes up with the enemies.) The character's identity will be revealed eventually, but I wanted to do something for a little suspense. Ultimately, people will probably figure it out beforehand. Now that I've rambled for a while, there's still convos and supports to be taken care of.

Support

Gatrie and Titania

"Hey, look out, Titania!"

"What? Oh…"

"I thought he was going to get you until you chopped him with your axe. Whew, did you give me a scare!"

"Sorry… I was distracted."

"By what?"

"Gatrie! Behind you!"

"…Dang! That one almost got me! Guess that makes us even."

"This is no place for conversation! Get back to the battle!"

"Oh….oh right!"

Boyd and Lucia

"Are you feeling better, Boyd?"

"Ow! Yeah, I guess. I think I knocked myself out."

"Don't be so careless! That makes you a threat to yourself and your allies! If you injure yourself then someone needs to pull you off the field and that leaves them vulnerable!"

"All right! All right! Sheesh, you're serious for someone my age! Besides, what can really happen in this….cell."

"Did you just notice that? We're not outside anymore."

"Well, it's not like I could see much through the back of my eyelids!"

"Maybe if you were more careful you wouldn't be in here."

"Same could be said for you!"

Soren and Mist- B

"Soren? What do you think is going to happen? Is this another war?"

"How should I know?"

"Well, you always predict what the enemy is going to do. Don't you have any ideas?"

"I'm not an oracle, Mist. I make strategies, not divine the future."

"I know…. I just don't want to go to war again."

"Things don't change to how we want them to be. Brooding on it is a waste of time."

"…"

Conversations

Danved and Astrid

"Astrid locked up, too?"

"…"

"Danved never understand why he locked up. Astrid know?"

"Destroy all sub humans…"

"That is a horrible thing for Astrid to say! Laguz are friends. Why use such a bad word for them?"

"Destroy all sub humans…"

"That's not like Astrid at all! This isn't good…."

"Destroy all sub humans…"

Tanith and Sigrun

"Tanith, who was it that was left in charge during the empress' absence?"

"Maurim."

"Do you suppose he's the one who lead the troops?"

"No. It would be pointless of him."

"And a beast running from Mainal Cathedral? Isn't that a little odd?"

"Of course it is odd! That's why we're going back to investigate."

"Maybe the empress should have stayed in Gallia while we went back."

"I don't think we could stop her from coming if we tried."

"…Very true."

Yeah, this chapter got a little long. My warning in the last chapter held true. Sorry to any of you who don't like drawn out chapters. Maurim being in charge, for anyone who thinks that's strange, is because of the epilogues at the end of the game. It said he became the first laguz official from Begnion, so I just went with that… By the way, Little Liger, your suggestion, I'll do it once Lucia and Ike are in the same area again. It just seemed a little weird to make them talk with such a distance between them. Anyway, I thank you for taking the time to read this far and to review. Love and appreciation for you all. -Lotus