I know! It's been forever since I updated! I'm sorry! I'm just at such a crossroads with ideas…. Anyway, this one is the shortest yet, I believe. I apologize.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem.

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The first thing Sain saw when he opened his eyes were three faces. One of the faces belonged to the tactician that was all but a brother to Sain.The second was owned by a beautiful green haired girl. The third was that of a silver haired mercenary. He looked around, only to find himself in a supply wagon.

"O beatious one," Sain began, smiling at Eirika. "Your smile shines with the radiance of the sun. But grace me with your name, and I shall die a happy man." Roja rolled his eyes. Eirika looked over at Mark.

"Is he alright?" Mark shook his head.

"Yeah, that's Sain alright." Sain looked around.

"Where is the lovely lilac?" he asked. Eirika looked at Mark again, but he wasn't paying attention.

"Isn't she with Lyn?" Mark asked, brows knitted. Sain sat up.

"She isn't here?" Mark shook his head.

"No, she isn't. Is she supposed to be?" Sain nodded.

"She left at the same time I did. Though I used Sir Wallace's map, and she used one given to her by Farina. She should have been here long before I was." Mark closed his eyes.

"Who are we talking about?" Eirika asked, looking confused. Neither Sain nor Mark were paying attention.

"We haven't seen her, Sain." Sain jumped up, and grabbed his lance.

"I'm going to find her." Mark shook his head.

"No, Sain. We need you here. Trust Florina. She can take care of herself." Sain sighed.

"Alright. If you say so." Sain then scowled. "Mark, why haven't you introduced me?" Mark chuckled, and turned to Eirika and Roja.

"Eirika, Roja, this is Sain. Sain, this is Roja, our convoy guard. And this, is Princess Eirika of Renais." Eirika gave him a look, and leaned over ot him.

"Do you really think we should be telling everyone that, Mark?" She whispered. Mark smiled.

"I trust Sain. He won't tell anyone."

Except every girl he meets...

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Mark was walking right beside Sain, and the two were chatting amiably. Eirika watched with slight sadness. Mark had been so busy, he hadn't said a word to her in quite some time. And what he had said about Tana... There wasn't anything between them, was there? She heard a noise, and turned to see Ross.

"Oh, Ross. You scared me for a moment there." Eirika said, smiling at him. Ross rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Sorry, Princess. I wasn't trying to. I was wondering about that Sain guy. I met him a while back, but..."

"Ross, you knew Mark from... Elibe, right?" Eirika asked, interrupting Ross' train of thought.

"Yeah... why do you ask?" Ross asked, cocking his head in her direction.

"Did Mark have a..." Eirika trailed off, a growing blush adorning her face.

"A what?" Ross asked, turning around and walking backwards. "A sister? A cat? A mom?"

"No..." Eirika said, trying not to look at Ross. "A girl..." Ross was about to answer, when they heard a loud shout.

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Sain's instincts kicked in, and he immediately drew his sword. Mark had sworn himself off the bright object, and pulled out a Flux tome instead. Magic was so much easier for him, thanks to Erk and Canas. Neimi was in the clutches of some kind of zombie creature. She was kicking and screaming, trying to free herself from the strange being. Sain charged, intent on saving her, but the creature had enough brains to put a claw to Neimi's head, and Sain stopped. Mark began to chant, but the creature put pressure, forcing another scream out of Neimi. Mark slammed the tome closed and put it in his bag. The others had swiftly made their way there, but none of them could even take a step towards the violet-haired girl. An arrow flew from the convoy and dug into a tree to the creature's right. Roja cursed at his inneptitude with the bow, and pulled back another arrow. The creature let one razor sharp claw prick Neimi's arm, and she screamed out in agony. Roja set the bow aside, getting the message. Neimi gasped when the creature suddenly turned to ash around her. Sain darted forward, and caught her. Mark reached for a tome, but stopped when he saw who had saved Neimi. The monk was looking around, his Lightning tome held securely in one hand, checking for more of those creatures.

"Hello. Thank you for saving my friend. My name is Mark." Mark said, making his way towards him. The monk turned, and smiled.

"Artur. You would do well to leave. This forest is dangerous." Mark looked over at Eirika, and she shook her head.

"We don't have a choice. We must go through. My brother is in danger."

"I agree." Seth said, riding over to them.

"Franz, Sain, scout ahead." Mark said, turning back to Artur. "What are the things?" Artur frowned.

"Fiends." Eirika started.

"Not the fiends that once served the Demon King?" Artur nodded sadly.

"One and the same. The temple has given me the job of eliminating them. My friend Lute and I have been doing so, but I fear there are too many…" Seth took in a hissed breath.

"If they're here…" Another scream reached their ears, followed by a cry of pain and a shout Mark instantly recognized as Sain's. Artur spun around.

"It sounds like they're in trouble!" He raced off, his tome clutched tightly in his hands. Mark ran after him, Ross racing up to catch up with him.

"Where's Vanessa?" He asked, his axe already held over his shoulder. Mark wondered slightly if Ross had ever been taught about running with an axe…

"I don't know. I haven't seen her." Mark looked around, and saw Eirika riding behind Seth. Neimi and Colm ran up to pace with Ross and Mark, Neimi still visibly shaken from her ordeal. Garcia was in the supply convoy with Gilliam and Roja. Mark saw a clearing up ahead, and froze when he did. The area up ahead was full of the creatures. Some were floating eyeballs, while some were strange wolf-like creatures. There were even more of the zombies, along with some armed skeletons.

"By the Light…" Mark cursed, looking out over the field. Ahead, Sain was grappling with one of the zombies that was greener in color, while Franz fought off a veritable army of the dog things. Vanessa was underneath Sain, looking like she was about to throw up.

"Ross, Moulder, Artur! Go help Sain! Eirika, go warn those villagers to the east! Colm, Seth, go warn the village to the south! Roja, guard the convoy. Gilliam, Garcia, follow Eirika. Neimi, come with me!" Mark took off towards Franz, Neimi pulled up her bow, and nodded.

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Seth rode into the village gates, and Colm guarded the entrance. Seth suddenly found himself stopped by a knife at his throat. His horse reared up, and the owner of the knife tumbled to the ground. Seth nearly gasped when he saw the girl laying on the ground. She had long black hair tied in a ponytail. Her white long sleeve shirt was covered in dirt. She also wore a sandy-coloured bandana, with some of her bangs sticking out. Long boots and tight black trousers finished her pirate-like appearance. On her belt was the dagger, attached by a small chain. Her grey eyes glared up at him.

"Hey! Whad'ya think yer doin'? Scarin' me like that?" Seth started.

"Don't mind her." A purple haired girl said, her long cloak billowing behind her.

"My name is Lute, and this is Seya. You are here to warn us of the Fiends, are you not?" Seth nodded.

"Your friend, Artur, told us you were here. You should follow me." Lute nodded, and Seya stood up, a frown on her face.

"We're comin! Now clear the way!" Seth sighed, and rode off.

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"Seya! What in the world the world took you so long?" Kayn asked as she ran over to the convoy. Seya put a finger in her ear and grinned

"Hello to you too, old seabird! I got delayed a bit, okay? Managed to keep up with me even with that piece of scrap you call a wagon?" Kayn glared at her.

"Missy, don't start again! Not now, we are under attack. It's getting hairy outside, so get yerself' in the wagon!" Seya growled.

"Yeah yeah, don't tell me that. I know that all too well, dangit! How is Roja doing? Hiding in his shell again?"

"He is protecting the cargo. Now, you do some work too and help me with managing the goods. Don't wanna let people think lowly of us because you're sitting here doing nothin."

"If delivering packages was nothin'...still yer cheery self, ain't it?..."

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Artur threw up his arm, incinerating the Entombed Sain was fighting. Sain dropped to check on Vanessa. She groaned out in pain, and Moulder ran over to her. He held out his staff, and began to work.

"S-sain… you saved me…" Sain smiled.

"But of course, o' Beautious one." Vanessa rolled her eyes, but smiled. Ross rolled his eyes, and threw his hatchet, downing a Mogall that was about to hit Sain. Sain mounted Belle, and rode forward, his lance downing a revanant.

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Mark pulled out a fire tome, and blasted one of the Mauthe Doogs down. Neimi shot off an arrow, bringing down another. Franz nodded gratefully, and Mark ran off to take care of another enemy. Mark was about to bring down a Bonewalker, when a being suddenly teleported in front of him. He recognized him immediately.

"Prince Lyon…." Lyon's ragged features looked at Mark. His eyes suddenly lit up.

"You!" A otherworldly voice boomed out of Lyon's mouth.

"You are the one! You are the one that will lead my enemies to me. Because of this, you must die!!!!" Lyon gathered the dark magic in his hands, and blasted Mark point blank, sending him flying backwards, into a tree. "Lyon" teleported away before anyone could see him. Eirika turned, having seen a flash of Mark's green cloak. Her eyes widened.

"Mark!"

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Author's notes:

I know! It's short and a cliffhanger! Don't kill me! I promise the next one will be longer. Also, Seya belongs to General of Lylat. This is the only OC I'll be accepting for now. Twilight still has to make one, so I'll accept more later.

Raptor, out.