It's been a little while. I had to focus for midterms. But here is the next chapter, so I hope you enjoy. :)

Even before they walked beneath the archway that was the gate to the town Dart saw that this town was nothing like Bale. Whereas Bale had been beautifully built with touches of nature still intact, this place seemed void of plant life and was more like a fortress.

And walking into the town only solidified his view.

Stone, stone, and more stone. Stone was all that is place was made of. The only trace of another resource used was the lookout posts set on each corner of the walled in town. All the homes were raised up off the ground, supported by the stone archways where doorways beneath led to other areas where most civilians didn't go. The main place that was underneath a house was set in the center of the town, the focus. It was the headquarters. The other entrances surrounding it were for item or weapon shops, and an inn.

But it was the high reaching wall which really gave the place an isolated feeling. It circled the town all the way around albeit the two entrance gateways on opposite sides. It didn't help that there was a guard set at all angles of the city, high and low, to watch for enemies. It was almost like a prison without jail cells.

Dart sighed sadly. It truly showed what war could do to a place. He could only imagine what this might have looked like without all the add-ons.

Lavitz took in the all too familiar view of the town of Hoax. It was sad, this he knew and believed, even after so long an exposure to such things. So there was no doubt in his mind that Dart and Shana felt ten times stronger about this. This is why he was leading now. "Let's go to the HQ first." He pointed to where he meant. "Kaiser from the Eighth Knighthood must be waiting for us."

Shana looked about dejectedly, slow pace coming to a stop a few feet in.

Dart perked, looking back at her. "What's wrong?" He worried she heard something bad coming.

Shana shook her head. "Is this really a town?" It wasn't really a question, just her verbalizing her disbelief. "It looks like a fortress."

Dart hung his head slightly. "The war changed it." A pause. "War changes everything."

Lavitz turned about, farther ahead than them at this point. "That's true…nobody wanted it, but it couldn't be avoided." He agreed grimly. "Let's just focus on our defenses now."

The trio then headed over under the arch into the residence of the headquarters. It was back in the far reaches of the building that they found who Lavitz had been seeking.

"Kaiser! Long time no see!" he waved to him, stepping one step ahead of his two friends.

"Lavitz! Welcome!" he cried back with a broad smile.

As he spoke with enthusiasm Dart took in his appearance. There wasn't much too him, but he was still worth the look. He wore dark blue armor for the most part, gold shoulder plates and knee plates being the only exception. And as for his physical appearance, he was an older looking man, wrinkles obvious from years of wear, there was a tuft of hair on his chin to match his black hair and his eyes were dark brown.

Kaiser quickly moved on from his cheery greeting, expression falling some. "I see your Knighthood was..." he trailed off.

A frown twitched at the corners of Lavitz's lips. "Yeah, it was my mistake." He admitted sadly. "But I won't let the dreams of my company end in death and be in vain!" he instantly perked, clenching his fist in dedication before his face. "I'll end the war and unify Serdio! I will!"

"Hmm…" Kaiser muttered, smiling with less intensity but still a certain pleased look. "We can not stop until we make our dreams come true." He nodded firmly.

Lavitz did as he did, bringing his fist down swiftly in the air. "Yeah!" A pause. "Now, I brought you two powerful helpers, Dart and Shana." He motioned toward them with his head.

Kaiser followed Lavitz's eyes. "Oh! You are the famous guy who rescued Lavitz!" he stuck out his hand for him. "I am Kaiser, the head of the Eighth Knighthood. Nice to meet you!"

Dart nodded, taking his hand and shaking it firmly. "Likewise." As he released his grip he spoke again. "Could you inform me of how we stand now?" He immediately jumped into battle mode.

Kaiser complied. "We are still preparing for the raid of Sandoras." He frowned lightly as he thought of his next words. "What I am concerned about is the information that they are using a dragon."

Lavitz jumped back into the conversation. "That's why it's better to fortify here and see how they move, rather than attacking a dragon that we don't know about." He was beyond serious as he said this.

Dart didn't question him. He'd learned over the past time he'd been with him that he knew just as much if not more about fighting than he did. He just went along with him. "Then it'll be up to how fast we can spot the approach of the enemy."

Kaiser was quite pleased with how compliant Dart was. Most recruits that were unfamiliar with their tactics questioned them at least to a degree. Then again, he should just take it as it was and not inquire on his behavior. "Great. Indeed you are right!" he nodded to further show his pleasure. "Dart, Lavitz, why don't you be the guard at night?" He glanced over at the girl, coming to a conclusion on his own. "Having Shana too is not a good idea."

Dart smiled widely at this. Yes, yes! Definitely not.

"Can you prepare the meals for the knights?" He half asked, not caring if she served a purpose or not.

"Preparing meals…?" She pondered, lighting up soon after as she chose. "Okay! Dart, you're going to love it!" She turned to him as she said this, full of pride.

Dart nodded faintly at her. "Yes, I am looking forward to it."

Lavitz tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I'm a bit concerned…" He muttered a little too loudly, meaning for only Dart to hear.

Shana's face turned shocked at such a thought coming out of his lips. He was supposed to be the courteous, faithful one. What the heck! "Wha-What!" She spluttered. "Your mother gave me a nice compliment!"

Dart snickered, following in Lavitz's lead despite his previous words of faith. "But in the past…" He murmured, not finishing his sentence because it was not necessary and Lavitz started speaking again.

Lavitz shrugged faintly. "I guess it may be edible…" Even as the words passed his lips a slight frown remained on his face.

Shana huffed in irritation, crossing her arms over her chest to further display her displeasure. "I don't like what Lavitz said." She grumbled.

Dart scrambled to fix the situation with what he thought to be encouraging words. "I can enjoy and eat any food." Dart said with a firm nod toward her, smile wide. "Just make a lot!"

Shana's frown deepened. "I don't like what Dart said so much either." She averted her gaze, not wanting to look at either of her boys right now.

Kaiser didn't know Shana at all, but nevertheless he tried to make her feel a bit better. After all, she was going to be cooking his meal too. "I don't care about the taste. Edible is enough." He paused before adding, "Just salt it enough for flavor!" He cried brightly.

Shana groaned loudly, hands dropping back to her side. "Even Mr. Kaiser too."

Lavitz glared lightly over at Kaiser. "Kaiser! Why are you stirring things up even more?" He cried.

Kaiser smiled in embarrassment, chuckling nervously. "I thought I was trying to relax her!" He insisted.

Lavitz looked to Dart and shrugged. Shana was being a little unreasonable. She needed to relax some. Then again, it was probably harder said than done.

Kaiser cleared his throat, moving on. "Now that that matter is settled, I want Dart and Shana to go look around Hoax. The night guards have to know the place. And it would be kind of relaxing for you two." A pause. "After you look around, come back to me."

Shana moved closer to Dart's side, so tempted to clasp his hand. Only she couldn't bring herself to do it since she was afraid it might ruin an y joy Dart would find in this walk.

Kaiser chuckled at her change in position before turning his attention to Lavitz. "Stay with me, Lavitz. I want to go over the battle conditions with you." He had thought to make Dart stay at first too, but he hadn't because he figured knowing the surroundings was best.

Dart inwardly whined, not liking that he wouldn't get to hear the battle conditions along with Lavitz. It made him feel like he wouldn't be Lavitz's equal in battle. Still, he didn't want to complain so he turned toward Shana with a forced smile and asked, "Now, shall we?"

Shana nodded with cheer, waiting for Dart to lead the way before moving.

Lavitz snickered as he watched them leave together, calling after them to say, "Get along with each other!"

Dart glared at him playfully over his shoulder, smile ever present. "Yeah, yeah." He scoffed, exiting the room shortly after.

The pair took an immediate left up a stone stairway, took a few steps forward, and went right again up another short stairway before wandering up the final slope to the highest point of the wall. From there they could see all of the little isolated town of Hoax. It was nothing more than Dart had guessed it would be as they entered. In a way it took away from the intrigue.

"The view is nice." Shana muttered to fill the silence, looking at Dart only from the corner of her eye so that it didn't seem like she was trying desperately to get him to pay her attention.

Dart shrugged, making a soft noise of indifference. "Nothing will beat what we saw from the castle."

Shana frowned slightly at Dart's attitude toward small talk before grinning again out of nothing more than pure instinct. "Maybe not, but the view's not the only thing to see here." She took a hold of his wrist. "Come on."

Dart raised a brow at her.

Her smile widened further. "Let's go look in some of the houses."

"Isn't that kind of…" he trailed off, realizing he didn't really care if it was violating someone else's space or not. Shana looked too happy about the idea for him to say no. "Why not?" He chuckled instead.

Shana giggled softly at his change in tune, dragging him on along the stone wall a ways and down a small slope where the familiar smooth footing changed into bumpy planks.

The planks bordered the northwest corner, ending only when it met with the roof of a house. Dart didn't know if it was meant for people to walk on the roofs considering the layout, but he let Shana drag him nonetheless.

They hopped from rooftop to rooftop for a spell, the path which led to the first one not linking with the others. But it was a short jump. All the houses were scrunched together quite nicely if Dart did say so himself. Heck, he even admitted that this was kind of a little fun. It almost reminded him of when they were kids and jumped around patches of land in the swamp.

Dart might have flashed back then, but Shana's voice cut through his mind. "There!" She exclaimed, pointing over to a house which wasn't set in a curved line like the others. There was once again the concrete path which led over to a window set on the roof of the house. "Let's go in that one."

Dart shrugged. Maybe being up in the attic meant no one would see them sneaking around in their home. "Ok." He said simply, sliding down the roof of the house they stood on to land on the stone path which they then followed to the house which Shana wanted to see.

Strangely enough the window was set open for them. Then again, in a place like this no one probably ever thought to break into a house just because a window gave them the opportunity.

Shana was first to squeeze herself down through the window, finding her footing on a stack of boxes before jumping easily down to the floor. As she touched down she upset the long resting dust on the floor and walls, sending it flying into the air to irritate her nose. And she did sneeze.

Dart didn't bother using the boxes as support, just dropped down next to her, rubbing his nose lightly as the dust reached him as well. However it didn't bother him as it was bothering Shana. "You alright?"

She sneezed four of five times in a row before finally pinching her nose, breathing only through her mouth. "Uh-huh." She said in a nasally voice.

Dart frowned lightly at her, not fully believing her, before shrugging and deciding she was well enough so that she wasn't going to die. "So what do you want to do now?"

Shana smiled through her hand which covered her mouth as it held her nose closed. "There are a lot of boxes. Why don't we look through some?"

"You're really looking to get into trouble aren't you?" Dart chuckled, touching her shoulder lightly.

For once Shana barely cared about the contact. She was learning how to not lose her head over such trivial things and just enjoy his company. It wasn't worth it getting excited over something that was natural between what they were looked at as…siblings. "No!" she finally answered, laughing. "It's not like we're gonna steal it anyway." She assured him, walking over to a box in the far corner.

Dart rolled his eyes at her, meandering over to and kneeling down next to her.

More dust flew in the air as she lifted the flaps, but this time it didn't bother her. She then waited for the dust to clear some before she let go of her nose in order to dig through the contents.

Dart just sat there as she searched, arms crossed over his chest. He wasn't too into this. He thought it was kind of wrong and boring. And besides, the box wasn't big enough for them both to be going through it! It was better if he watched.

"Oh! Look!" Shana cried, bringing out an old necklace laced with blue crystals. They might have even been diamonds Shana thought.

Dart looked lazily over, raising a brow as he laid eyes on it. It looked extremely expensive, not like anything he'd ever seen. He even had to wonder where it might have originated from. Could it have come from royalty even? "Probably an antique." He said simply. "You should put it back." He pointed back down to the box.

Shana puffed out her lower lip in pouting. "You're absolutely no fun." She grumbled, setting it gently back down. "This is supposed to be a time of bonding." She explained. "And I'm not feeling it."

Dart shook his head, smiling in amusement. "Oh, hush." He chuckled. "Me just being here with you is bonding enough for me." It was his turn to explain. "There doesn't need to be anything more going on."

Shana stared, brow furrowed, at him for a time before a smile finally worked its way back onto her face. "I suppose." She admitted, smile also infecting her tone. She then stood up. "But in that case, we don't need to be digging through dust."

Darts indifference to this instantly changed at the suggestion as he raised up to stand taller than her. "Yeah, you're right." He agreed wholeheartedly. "So what do we do now?" Even though he didn't want another activity that was so boring he wanted to make her happy and let her pick their next actions.

Shana brightened further. "There's a ladder over there." She pointed to the opposite corner.

Dart sighed softly, shrugging some. "Lead the way."

Shana took hold of his hand this time, relishing in his touch and limited reaction this time. Perhaps he was getting used to it. "Alright." She spoke as she got over to the ladder, knowing she had to let go of him to make her way down the ladder. "You better follow me." She teased, knowing without a doubt he'd follow her now since he'd follow her to the ends of the earth without a second thought.

And so he did. He went down feet first after her, going extra slow so that he didn't accidentally run over her.

Shana didn't step down on the last rung, jumping gently down on the floor. She went to call to Dart to hurry it up, stopping as she saw someone out of the corner of her eye.

It was a woman, an old one by the looks of it. Her hair was grayed and body bent over as she rocked slowly back and forth in her rocking chair of equal age to her.

Dart jumped from a higher up distance than Shana did, grunting softly on touchdown. He too froze upon sight of the woman. He knew this was a bad idea. They were going to get hit over the head with a cane or something now. This was great, just great.

As he mentally slapped himself he noticed Shana move from her still position over to the front of the old woman.

"Shana!" He snapped in a hushed voice, sighing irritably before following after her.

The woman looked up slowly, almost mechanically. "Oh…" she whispered, a weak smile forming on her lips. "Well, well…we have guests."

Dart figured since their presence was already known he might as well introduce himself. It would be rude not to. "I'm Dart." He nodded automatically. "I am joining in the defense of Hoax for a while." This passed his lips just as naturally.

She nodded feebly. "And both of you…" She began. "…when are you having your baby?" The idea made her smile widen.

Dart's face was instantly drained of color, eyes wide as could be as he even jumped back a step in shock. "W-What!" He cried, breathing elevated. "What are you talking about!"

Shana smiled at the thought. "Y-Yes!" She played along, liking how it made Dart squirm. "We are…" She sighed, clasping her hands at her chest as she took a step forward. "But it's too early." This time her voice changed to a mite bit shaky like any real pregnant woman would sound at the prospect of a child at a time like this.

The midwife found the girl's antics amusing, but easily saw that her act was just that, an act. No man who was in love would react as such to the idea of a child. "Oh…" She murmured. "…you're visiting a famous midwife, so I thought you wanted to get some advice about having a baby."

Dart still had his hands up in denial of the prospect even now that she knew the truth, a disturbed look present on his face. And he remained speechless.

Shana giggled at him, turning her gaze back to the midwife shortly after.

"Anyway, come back anytime if you are going to have one." She paused, thinking to add, "I was the midwife for King Albert too." This particular fact she took great pride in.

Dart finally found his voice, shaking his head back and forth to rid himself of any lingering shock and fear. "Then you have been observing this country since before the war?" It was half a question, half a statement. She sure as heck looked old enough to have at least.

She nodded faintly. "Yes." She said with a hint of sadness. "It was seventeen years ago. The former king, Carlo, passed away and his younger brother, Doel, broke away." She paused to lick her lips, continuing immediately after. "It seems he couldn't stand His Majesty Albert, who was only six then, be king." She sighed, bitter over the way things played out. "His Majesty Doel and His Majesty Carlo used to be very close too. I wonder what made them change…?" Her last sentence was more to herself then her guests.

Dart nodded at her, feeling sort of glad he snuck down here with Shana now. It was interesting to hear about the way things were even before he was born. But he didn't have as much time to give as he might have liked. This small explanation would have to do. "We gotta go now."

"Well, work hard." She offered the only thing she could in her age, encouragement. "And when you need me, come back anytime." She sure hoped that she would get to be this pair's midwife before she ceased to live any longer. They were rather interesting looking and acting to say the least.

Dart rubbed his head, chuckling nervously. "'Need me?'" He repeated. "Meaning need a midwife?"

A glare instantly formed on Shana's face at Dart's choice of words and tone and she kicked him hard in the back of the leg to reprimand him. "Thank you!" She chirped to the old woman shortly after, bowing slightly to further reveal her appreciation.

Dart found himself on the floor as Shana hit him at the most tender and open place on his body. What the hell? Was she insane or what? He just asked a question…well, sort of. He growled lightly as he stared up at her. Alright, so maybe he deserved a good smack, he admitted it. But did she have to hit him like that? Really?

Upon showing her thanks she swirled around in Dart's direction, waving her hands around in a fussy manner as she scolded him further. "We're lucky!"

Dart didn't know what to say to this. Lucky? It wasn't like they were ever going to be coming here, not together at least. Dart felt he would have his own wife and Shana her own husband. Did Shana not think the same…?

Without another word the pair left just as they came, wandering back across the rooftops and down the stone footing to see if the meeting was over. They'd seen enough at least. Not like there was too much to see anyway, but that wasn't the point. Neither would have wanted to look around more even if there was more to see.

Unlike the first time Shana now took up the back position, following slowly after Dart as her mind wandered. So…he still thought of her as a baby sister. The scene a moment ago had made that quite clear. She sighed. Oh, well. Like she'd told herself before, she'd just have to live with what attention he gave her and try her hardest to change his mind.

Although Dart had been troubled by the previous scene as they walked, being sure to remain silent all the while, by the time he walked through the doors to where Lavitz, Kaiser, and a few others were gathered he hardly recalled what it was that had perturbed him. All he thought of was the fight looming ahead.

Kaiser looked up at the sound of the door opening and closing, smiling slightly at the sight of them. "Did you see enough?" He wanted to be sure.

Dart nodded firmly, completely sure of himself.

Shana took a moment longer to respond and her nod wasn't exactly certain. It was faint, her eyes glued to the ground all the while.

Kaiser frowned at how unsettled she seemed, wondering for a split second what might have happened to cause such a slip in demeanor, before quickly moving on. "Good. We have just finished the strategic meeting." A pause. "Now, I'll take you to your position." He then headed over to and out the door, expecting them to follow.

Dart and Lavitz naturally followed without hesitation. It was the way any good soldier knew how to act.

Kaiser waited for them to catch up before directing them. "I want to ask both of you to guard the back gate." He pointed up in the direction Dart and Shana had went up the stairs when exploring. "It's at the end of the stairs."

They nodded in unison, not thinking to say anything at all before doing as they were told and heading on up the stairs to the very top.

Dart was the first to reach their destination and as such was the one to relieve the knight of his spot as guard. "I am here to replace you." He said simply. "You can trust us." He waved to Lavitz to indicate him as well.

The soldier bowed slightly. "Yes, sir." And then he was quick to run past them back down the stone stairs and into the meeting room.

Dart settled himself on the stone wall, head resting in his hands as his elbows sat on the smooth raised surface.

Lavitz moved over toward him, not bothering to situate himself when he knew he'd be sitting down on the ground shortly after.

Dart decided to fill the silence. "If Sandora attacks, it will be a night raid."

Lavitz silently agreed. "We can not relax till morning." He made sure to inform his friend despite the fact he should know this already. "So rest while it's still light." If they weren't at full strength it could end badly. This he had experienced before.

Dart rose back up off the wall, smiling at his own ignorance. "You're right." He then turned about, sliding down the wall until he felt the ground beneath him. "Then we'd best do so."

Lavitz followed suit, taking his spot next to him. "Yep."

It was nightfall now as they stood watch on the wall, wide and alert as ever. The stars scattered throughout the sky gleamed brightly all the while, not a cloud present, and the moon casting a brilliant light down on the otherwise dark city.

The fact that there was no motion albeit their own furthered the sense of peace in the atmosphere, even the sounds about them were soothing. It was so wonderful. So wonderful that Dart almost hated to ruin it by speaking. "It's strangely quiet tonight." He muttered thoughtfully, rising up off the wall to stand straight and look to Lavitz. "If the dragon comes near, we can easily tell."

Lavitz took his eyes from the surrounding forest to look at him, a questioning gaze on his face. "Why is that?"

Dart waved his hand about in a circular motion. "There are those in the forest." He looked to the forest as he spoke of things concerning it. "Nocturnal owls are hooting. It's the proof that nobody is in the forest." He paused, rubbing his arm some in unease. "So…I'm gonna go grab something." He said a little to fast.

Lavitz chuckled in amusement. "Worrying about Shana?" He teased.

Dart shook his head fervently, moving his hands back and forth in an x formation. "It's not that." He said unconvincingly, smiling bashfully.

Lavitz shrugged. "Bring me back something." If he didn't want to admit she was his weakness then that was his business. All that mattered was that Dart knew what he had to do to keep her safe.

"Sure." He agreed in nonchalance, turning about and heading down the stairs slowly.

Halfway down the gentle hooting echoing around them suddenly came to an end, Dart drawing in a sharp breath as the sound of many frantic beating wings took its place. "The owls…" he whispered, freezing in his place as he waited for what he knew would follow.

High pitched war cries rose in the air instantly after, growing louder as the army swarmed them, arrows flying through the air like rain.

The soldier in the watch tower drew in a sharp breath, spinning around to yell at the top of his lungs, "The enemy is coming!"

Soldiers of their own instantly flew out from the buildings, spears at the ready as they made their own war cries.

A second soldier in the watchtower scrambled to get down on open terrain, getting flattened upon touchdown by his own man as he was shot down out of the tower by a flaming arrow.

Kaiser burst forth from the meeting room, ordering wildly, "Knighthood, advance! Fortify the gate!" He jerked his head about to the men in a pile on the roofs. "And you! Take care of the casualties!"

The man on top looked up with a fear in his eyes. "Y-Yes, sir!" He managed to spit out, crawling off of the man beneath him to take him to a safe zone and treat him.

Lavitz was quick to catch up to Dart, leaping down off the second story flooring down to the ground to reach the battlefield before his friend. "We'll counter them!" He barked, spinning his spear wildly.

"Yeah!" Dart growled fiercely, yanking his sword from his sheath with intensity, eyes burning with angry passion.

They were swarmed instantaneously by a group of five, each diving at them without a second thought.

Dart yawned boredly as he jumped to the side in the blink of an eye, jabbing his sword through two of them in one go. This was getting way to easy.

Lavitz ducked and rolled under each of the remaining three's legs, slicing clean through each ones legs as he tumbled.

As Dart remained alert he drew in a sharp breath upon seeing a strange figure clear the wall and land on the wall they'd previously been guarding, the man now up there being no match for him.

The soldier took one jab and it was all over.

The strange figure gripped his spear, breaking it clean in half, before smacking him mercilessly down off the wall to hit a roof before crashing all the way to the ground.

The sinister man cackled deviously, head lifted in the air so that the sound carried. "Is this the battle HQ for the front lines of Basil! HA! What a weak setup!" He had a complete body suit of pitch black so as to blend in, but it was not strong. He was more about stealth.

Dart stabbed another oncoming enemy with ease, bending his head around to Lavitz. "I will guard the top!" He yelled, rushing up the stairs.

Lavitz went to follow him, being forced to stop as another soldier struck at him.

Lavitz held up his own spear in defense, barely struggling as they fought for dominance. "Gotcha! Trust me to handle here!"

The man, a Sandora elite, broke out into laughter as Dart came within his sights. "What guts you have, coming alone like that!"

"Shut up!" Dart snapped, furious.

Lavitz shoved roughly against his enemy, buying himself enough time to drive a blow straight through his heart, killing him instantly, before rushing up to Dart. "I'm here!" He stated the obvious, taking a spot with equal defensiveness by Dart. "And I got those guys at the bottom!"

The elite snorted in boredom. "One or two doesn't make any difference. I'll kill you all; no matter how hard you struggle!" He broke into maniacal laughter again, raising his hands up in an offensive position. "So bring it!"

Dart snorted right back. "Big talkers are usually weak."

The elite growled lightly at such an accusation, charging swiftly at the duo with no mercy.

Dart hopped back a space to be sure of what he was doing, while Lavitz did not.

Lavitz charged the same as the elite, driving his spear through the air toward his heart.

The elite was more limber than any warrior, fluently springing back on his hands then back to his feet twice before stopping. "Pathetic." He hissed.

Lavitz wasn't so much mad as he was surprised by his agility, standing dumbly ten feet from him.

Dart was now the one to act. He headed at the elite as if to strike him, waiting just long enough for him to move before really trying.

The elite grinned wickedly, leaping up over Dart this time to get behind him and gain the upper hand.

Dart had been hoping he would do this, flinging his sword upward as he went over to catch whatever body part he was allowed.

With his agility came the fact his armor was pathetic. The elite let out a pained howl, one leg completely gone as he landed crouched down. "You…bastard!" He screamed, eyes turning a crimson red.

Dart sucked in a breath as he saw what happened next.

The elite started to lift up off the ground, floating in midair as a foreign language spilled out of his mouth and a red ball of light formed in his hands.

Lavitz broke out of his trance then, thinking only of stopping him before he unleashed this hell on them and his people as he charged.

The elite wasn't using his eyes now, he sensed the heat coming from the man and shot further into the air, loosing his power down on him from above.

"Lavitz, move!" Dart cried, tackling Lavitz out of the way as the flaming ball obliterated the section of the wall.

"Damn it." Lavitz growled, picking himself up quickly. "We can't touch him like this."

The elite threw two streams of burning light at them, one from each hand, as they stood idly, forcing them to move.

And they did.

The two felt as if they were getting nowhere as they dove, leapt, and maneuvered all over the wall, nimbly avoiding a crispy end.

They were beneath the eves of a house as they doubled over, breathing unnaturally heavy. "This isn't working…" Dart heaved.

"Tell me something I don't know." Lavitz heaved back, snapping to attention instantly after as he spied yet another fire ball headed toward them. "Get going!" He pushed Dart to the side roughly before jumping the opposite way himself, feeling his leg burning some as a flame caught him.

"Lavitz!" Dart screamed as he heard him stifle a yelp.

The elite let loose his signature laugh again at the sound of this man in distress. How he did enjoy fear. "So stupid, choosing to help another before helping yourself." He broke into laughter again.

Dart's eyes caught fire instantly. "Shut up!" And he drove his sword straight through the cocky elites gut.

The elite sucked in a sharp breath, eyes wide in shock.

Dart smirked up at him, a dark pleasure in his eyes.

Somehow this brought the elite back, him laughing in insanity now more than anything. "You fool!" And he disappeared, voice still echoing. "You can't win, no matter how hard you try."

Dart growled fiercely, gripping his sword tighter as he looked frantically about himself. "You coward!" He bellowed. "Show yourself!"

His laughter came again. "Of course." He agreed. "But I won't be alone."

Dart tensed at this. "What!"

The elite reappeared again, berserk eyes revealing how close he was to death. "Now beat this!" He took the same form as when he threw fireballs, the same foreign language following, only this time the flame was purple and when he finished spinning about there were suddenly three of him.

Dart sucked in a sharp breath.

"Can you nail the real me!" He cackled, each him spreading out around Dart in a dizzying circle.

Dart growled lightly under his breath, muscles tensed to the max as he struggled to keep each in his sights. "Coward!"

All three laughed in unison, swapping places multiple times by what appeared to be transporting in Dart's eyes. "At least I'll be alive at the end!" Each said together.

Dart screamed as he charged at the one dead ahead of him and slashed through his body, finding no resistance in the move.

The elite's body grew grainy, flickering from fully visible to translucent repeatedly.

Dart drew back as he watched the elite's body slowly disappear, teeth grit hard. Where the hell was Lavitz?

The chanting started up again, mingled with the sound of echoing laughter from his other counterparts. "Try again, try again, try again!" They taunted.

Dart swirled around as a whoosh sound filled the air, at least twenty copies of the elite standing before his wide eyes.

The laughter now was truly demented, each posed to strike this time.

Dart was quickly losing any amount of control he had possessed, heading blindly at each one he could get to, slicing through their stomach, across their necks, and even at their legs at an astonishing speed.

None bothered moving out of the way, allowing him to fight an illusion while one from afar shot the first strike.

Dart grunted as he felt the edge of the throwing star slice across his cheek before he swirled about, knowing that the real one must have done this.

There stood the culprit, a foot away, smiling wickedly. "Next time it's your throat."

Dart glowered menacingly at him, putting all his strength into lobbing his head off.

Unfortunately he was just as unreal as all the rest.

"You fool." Only the real one spoke from high above. "You may not be able to touch us…but we can all kill you."

On command each of his duplicates hurled countless throwing stars at Dart.

There was no way for him to avoid them all, the best he could do was shield himself with an arm and never stop moving along the narrow wall.

"Run chicken, run." The taunts went on.

Dart slide down a roof, getting down low to hide for a fraction of a second. "Damn it…" he whined, rubbing his wounds tenderly. "I can't pick him out." He couldn't believe himself. "And those throwing stars…" They'd pierced his armor easily.

And they were on him again, staring him down with intensity, stars in their hands.

Dart thought for a split second on falling to the ground before he did a turnabout, returning to slicing each of the illusions as fast as he could manage after being run ragged.

But suddenly the crowd parted, all but a few vanished.

Dart sucked in a breath, hands trembling around his weapon as he prepared for the worst.

And then a heavy metal chain shot out from the distance, wrapping itself around Dart's left arm.

Dart felt himself being jerked upright, chain pulled taunt and tight to cut off circulation.

Dart growled angrily at this change in tactics, pulling back with all his might to try and overpower whoever set at the opposite end.

It wouldn't budge an inch despite his strength. It was like it was connected to a support beam or something.

That was when he used his head and decided to use the weapon he held. No matter how strong it was against his body it was rusted horribly and would shatter with one good strike.

He raised his sword high, bringing it down with all his strength and expecting freedom.

But then another chain shot from the opposite direction of the first, gripping his wrist tightly and freezing his swing an inch above the target.

Dart's eyes widened, a sharp intake of breath following.

After giving him a moment of shock the chain was yanked back, extending his arm as far as it would go.

After that the others came in the blink of an eye.

Soon both his feet were gripped the same and even his neck was seized, constricted tight enough to make breathing difficult, but not so much as to kill him…yet.

Dart struggled fruitlessly against his restraints, body weak from the earlier assaults.

That bone chilling laughter came again as Dart fought, growing closer all the while. "Fool." The elite hissed.

Dart snapped to attention at the sound of his voice, eyes narrowed into thin slits and mouth curved into a sharp snarl.

"I told you you'd lose." He chuckled, gripping Dart's chin roughly.

Dart bit at him, catching his hand and tasting the metallic taste of blood. He was real.

"Bastard!" He screamed, snapping his fingers so that the chain squeezing Dart's neck pulled back, jerking Dart's head up toward the sky.

Dart groaned faintly, the tainted blood of his enemy trickling from the corner of his mouth. "I'll…kill…you…" He choked out.

This made the elite burst out laughing. "Kill me? Really? You can't even break out of your bonds." He taunted.

Dart bared his teeth, flinging his sword uselessly toward the elite with no real power.

The elite snorted. "And look at you. If not for those restraints you probably couldn't stand." He smirked deviously, whipping out a dagger and stabbed it deep in his stomach.

Dart sucked in a sharp breath, coughing up blood as he struggled to hide his pain. Lavitz…where was Lavitz…?

"And don't expect your friend to come to your rescue either." He sneered. "I took care of him first."

This is what broke Dart. He hung his head sadly, not thinking for a second that Lavitz was better than that.

The elite snickered, taking back his dagger. "And now it's your turn." He hissed, eyes narrowed into slits and mouth a sinister smile.

And blood was splattered across the wall, making a sickening sound.

Only it wasn't Dart's.

As he slowly looked up he saw the elite standing, eyes wide and mouth agape as his breaths grew short, a spear stuck straight through his chest.

"Y-You…" he whispered with his last breath, collapsing to the ground limp as a ragdoll and eyes ever open with fear.

When Lavitz was sure he was dead he took his weapon back, snorting at the fool before walking the remaining space to Dart.

The chains restraining Dart instantly grew slack and soon slipped off of him completely. He sighed in relief, rubbing his neck tenderly as he took in Lavitz's change in appearance since he'd seen him last.

Lavitz was about as bad as he was, cuts and gashes covering his body, particularly his face, clothes ripped and torn, armor cracked, and a crazed look in his eyes. "Finally…" he murmured with a heavy sigh. "Damn bastard needed to die already."

Dart wanted to smile at his choice of words, but could not find the energy. So instead he asked weakly, "You ok?"

Lavitz nodded faintly, wiping at the blood on his lips. "Fine."

"What about the rest?"

Lavitz surveyed the place. "The fight's nearly over."

Dart could not have been happier to hear this. He didn't think he could take much more combat in his state; he was honestly surprised to still be standing when his legs were quaking beneath him. "Good." He could see Shana then too. He hoped to dear God she was all right.

Then amongst the angry cries of battling warriors there was a sharp cry that had the distinct sound of terror wrapped around it and a fellow soldier of Basil came flying into view, falling flat on his face in his frenzy.

Dart and Lavitz snapped to attention immediately, falling back into battle mode.

Right behind the now backward crawling soldier stood a ridiculously huge monster of a man. His face was painted up, a red stripe streaked in a curve down over both eyes; his hair was a spiked strip of black down the middle of his head, and eyes yellow, laced with malice.

He wore an animal pelt around his waist, held in place by a stone bull belt much larger than the average belt to fit his size; the same fuzzy pelts on both wrists and his ankles all the way up to the knee. He also wore large metal boots, ankle wear, similar strips just below his knee, brass knuckles, elbow shields, plated shoulder armor with signs of another pelt sticking out a few inches from beneath, and two brown straps going across his chest in an x form, a decent sized circular piece holding the straps together. But it was his size that made him the fearsome beast that he was.

Lavitz started, teeth grit as he took in all this. "What is that giant!" He cried, body trembling from both exhaustion and slight fear for both himself and all his men that had faced this behemoth before him.

The knight had faintly heard Lavitz, but mostly was talking to himself as he screamed. "It's Gi-Giganto!" And he was then able to leap to his feet and fly like the wind away from the scene.

Dart stared blankly. "Giganto?" He breathed, captivated.

The monsters feet pounded on the ground as he went, making the very floor shake beneath them, enormous ax completing his look of superiority.

Dart felt his heart beating fast in his chest as he prepared to go down and do what he had to. "Lavitz!" He snapped, jerking his head toward him to stare seriously into his eyes and beg for an answer.

Lavitz finally opened his mouth. "I heard about it before…but he is real!" He shook his head in uncertainty. "The ones who fought so far were no match for him!"

Dart shook his head fervently in the negative. "Well he is still not a dragon!" He said with determination, hope mingled in with his words as he darted down the stairs toward certain doom.

"Dart, wait!" Lavitz called after him, reaching out and getting nothing but air. He sighed irritably, chasing after him. "You can't! Neither of us can! We're too badly wounded."

Dart paused at the last flight, holding his bleeding stomach in pain. "I won't give up!" He snarled, thinking solely of his first home and how it had been destroyed, him unable to do anything to stop it. "I won't let it be like before!" And he charged.

"Dart!" Lavitz cried, taking a leap off of the raised walk to land directly in front of Dart.

"Dart jumped back, startled by his body in front of him. "What the hell!"

"I won't let you!" Lavitz cried, brandishing his spear and thrusting it at the giant.

The Giganto raised his ax, making contact with Lavitz's weapon and hitting him back. "Kongol no lose." He grunted.

"Wanna bet!" Dart roared, assaulting him.

Kongol was in no way agile, but he more than made up for it with him immense strength. With a single swing he'd knocked Dart backward on his butt, his weapon sent flying across the ground.

"Dart!" Lavitz cried, spear raised to impale the beast in the back.

Kongol had his ax raised high over his head with one hand, eyes full of hate as he bashed Lavitz ruthlessly with his fist before aiming to slice Dart clear in half.

Lavitz hit the wall with a thud, nearly losing consciousness from the blow.

Dart scrambled to get back up, all his limbs failing him in the moment. He knew it was over and cringed in anticipation.

Then something caught Kongol's attention from high up in the sky, a sparkling light.

The tiny light grew nearer until the light faded and out shot a woman flying on wings outlined in dark purple.

Kongol sensed the threat she posed, pointing his ax threateningly in her direction.

Somehow she showed no fear, swooping down on Kongol like he was her prey and locked swords with him for an instant before shooting back into the air with insurmountable grace.

Dart stared wide eyed at the woman, captivated. And…wasn't she…?

She turned about as she reached her peak, floating in place. As she did so she slowly raised her sword, pointing it in Dart's direction now.

Dart was up on one knee now, Lavitz standing by him, both unsure of what she was about to do next.

The woman clad in thick armor akin to a dress of dark purple with intricate designs of creatures of legend cried out, "Wake up! Dragoon of the Red-Eye Dragon!"

Dart's memento hanging on a string suddenly shined a blinding red light that quickly engulfed his entire body, making him cry out in pain mingled with surprise as he shot into the air with unimaginable speed. As he went he could feel his body transforming, the ball of light catching fire as he swerved about in the air.

Kongol stepped back a step, bringing his ax up in uncertainty.

And then Dart zoomed back down to the ground, slamming directly into Kongol and his raised ax without any pain.

Kongol was sent spiraling back through the air, head pile driving into the concrete and cracking it as he skid a good ten feet before his body went limp.

Lavitz stared agape at Kongol's still form before looking up at Dart who was finally coming back down to the ground.

As Dart touched down the fire around him dissipated, giving him a clear view of what he'd become.

He was just as the woman was, the strange thick armor covering nearly every inch of his body. The designs were nearly identical too, only his was red orange instead of her black one. His arm guards now stretched from his hand all the way up to his elbow, extended slightly farther past so that the end took on the look of a frozen flame, his chest shoulder combo suit was much the same, the blue green shoulder section with the red flame style setting on top and thin strips running down over it extended out much farther than necessary.

Farther down his shoes were now that red armor as well, reaching all the way up to his knees with the thinner blue green piece with gold lines running unorganized over it covering the rest of his legs. As he touched his forehead he felt a band, green gems embedded in it.

The last thing he noticed that, like the woman, at the center of his chest where his heart lied there was a large oval shaped jewel of the color green. It was almost like his power stemmed from it. And finally he found his voice, shock never fading. "Wha-What is…?"

Before he could finish his sentence the woman transformed herself back to her original form, falling from her place in the sky to land gracefully on her own two feet.

As she landed Dart sucked in a sharp breath, unable to do anything more. He'd been right. It was her, the woman from the forest.

She turned her head lazily toward him, flipping her long black hair out of her eyes as she smirked with familiarity.

At this point one of the few remaining enemy soldiers who had been watching cried out, "The-These are not humans!" And he scrambled off, not caring if the battle was won or lost. He just wanted to escape with his life.

"Dart, you…what happened to you!" Lavitz spit out, slightly afraid of what his friend had become. Because whatever he was, he was strong enough to fight off a Giganto, and that was something.

Dart shook his head in confusion and an equal amount of fear as Lavitz possessed. "I don't know..." He admitted. "I don't know what happened to me."

The woman walked forward some, waiting for their eyes to fall on her. "The Knight of the Dragon, the Dragoon was born." She said simply, as if it were common knowledge.

From the side there was a loud groan, catching all of their attention. Kongol sat up, rubbing his aching head with his free hand.

The woman snorted, smirking amusedly at him. "I am surprised you didn't die."

Kongol scowled darkly at her, pointing his ax toward her. "Giganto don't die! Giganto will pay you back!" He swore, stomping off in order to preserve his life and plan his revenge.

They stared after him, wishing they could give chase but knowing that they wouldn't stand a chance all the while.

As they stood and stared, the sound of the door directly behind them being flung open had them turning around quickly.

Out from the depths burst Shana, a mortified look on her pale skinned face, eyes full of tears. "Dart!" She screamed.

Dart smiled instinctively, "You are safe." There was a flash of whit light instantly after and his magnificent armor vanished completely, the intensity of his wounds having him doubled over in agony.

Both Lavitz and Shana jumped toward Dart as his body betrayed his obvious pain. "What happened!" Shana squealed in alarm.

Dart's breaths were getting shorter each time, his body trembling profusely as he muttered weakly, "Seeing Shana's face… makes me relieved…" Then he crumpled on the ground, hitting with a smack.

"Dart!" Shana screamed with unbridled terror as she dropped to her knees next to him. "Dart!"

Lavitz was just as frightened, bending down just the same. "Are you alright!"

And Dart's world went black.

How was it? Any big mistakes? Did I go too into detail with the Dragoon armor? Don't be afraid to say so, because all I want is to get the story just like it was in the game. So please review! :D