Chapter 9: Stalking New Mystery

[World of Mystery of The Emblem—Altea]

Ogma and Barst arrive in Marth's main land of Altea. Alfonse's group are nowhere to be seen at the moment.

"I'm late," Ogma announced.

Barst stood beside his cap'n. "If it makes you feel any better, we'll take the blame!"

Ogma stared at the ground. "I had one task, and I've failed. How will I ever approach Caeda now?"

Barst nudges Ogma. "Say where's uh, Bord? Cord? Guess they got bored and left..."

Ogma glances at his Brave Sword in silence.

Barst whistles. "This is awkward.."

Ogma clutches his fists. "Next time, I'll have you handle the offense. You are one of the best axe-wielders I know of!"

"Thanks!" Barst replied.

Jagen and Marth walk in. "Hey, you've seen her too?

Ogma and Barst exchange looks.

Ogma grins. "You mean that witch, huh?"

"I believe it was someone else, called "Laslow." People from the future."

Barst stares at his muscles. "Woah! They may be from the future, but they can't take on my killer biceps!"

Ogma sighs deeply. "If this is in well effort to defeat the likes of them, then I will sacrifice my concern for Princess Caeda"

Barst nodded. "Sure that. They can handle em'selves!"

Ogma tries not to frown.

"You are truly noble men. Marth would be honored to hear this..." Jagen said, muttering the last part.

"Only you and Marth are here, that correct?" Ogma asked.

"That's correct. Marth's friends went off with Alfonse and Anna. Some of them.."

Ogma: Huh?

"Alfonse, Anna, trusted people from the future entailing recruitments," Jagen continued.

Barst flexes his biceps. "Oh really? What's the criteria for being recruited?"

"I believe he said they needed anyone willing to fight," Jagen responded.

Ogma grunted. "I'm not entirely okay with venturing out in unfamiliar territory"

Caeda enters the room.

"Marth? Are you okay?" she asked.

Barst nudges Ogma and the two men bow down to Caeda.

"It's just our duties," Barst said.

"Thank you. Heheheh, you may rise now," Caeda replied.

"Anything for you princess," Ogma told Caeda.

"Uh huh!" Barst added.

Caeda looked around once again. "Where's Marth?"

A faint, lightheaded Marth walks towards three.

"Hello..."

"What happened..while I was gone?

"Ah, you know, things..." Barst

Caeda comforts Marth

"Marth...?" Ogma said.

"Hm?" Marth hummed.

"Know where they went?" Ogma asked.

"...I remember feintly hearing something about Askr," Marth told Ogma.

Ogma looked puzzled. "What is Askr?"

"Where my friends were headed with a group of new soldiers.

Ogma groans. "We're doomed. I don't know where Askr is and they are most likely gone by now..."

Barst swings his axe in hand. "Let's find out about this Askr location before I get bored and start choppin', Cap'n!"

Ogma sighs. "All right..."

Barst pulls out a map from his pants rear pocket and uncurls it.

"Lucky I keep one er' these around. So we're here and Askr is...?" he said.

"If we can't find the place, we might as well stay here and do what we can alone," Ogma suggested.

Barst shrugged. "Fair."

A dark portal appears and Xander along with his retainers group appear.

"The time has come! We will not fail you, master!" Xander shouted.

Ogma grits his teeth in anger. "Tresspassers..."

Barst unsheathes a Brave Axe attatched to a strap on his clothing. "Yeah!"

Caeda steps up to the Nohrians.

"I must defend this castle. Back off!" she yelled.

Laslow grins. "Oh my. Wonderful lady, hear me out. I am Laslow, from"—

Peri smacks Laslow on the back of his head.

"Thank you Peri. If that keeps him focused..." Xander said.

Xander and Ogma have a brief staredown before the Nohrians charge at Ogma. Marth jumps in to protect him.

Xander gives Marth a smirk. "Ow...I must admit, the tip of your blade really packs a punch, young man..."

Xander grips his Siegfried tighter and defiantly swings at Marth but Marth's defense doesn't break.

Xander hops back on his mounted steed. "Together now!"

The three Nohrians screamed "You're right where I want you!" The trio swing blades and spears at Marth simutaneously, knocking Marth to the ground.

"Your majesty!" Barst yelled. He leaps in front of Peri and swings his axe so hard she falls off the horse and on the ground.

"Got one!" Barst said, flexing his muscles.

Laslow scoffed. "As if we'd lose to a pig!"

Laslow riskfully throws his blade towards Barst like a dart reaching the bullseye. Barst's axe drops and he kneels to the ground in pain.

Ogma springs into action and goes after Laslow. "Man down!"

Xander violently grabs on to Caeda's collar and holds the Siegfried under her neck.

Xander grunts. "Make one more move and I'll end her! Right now!"

Marth tosses Peri's lance at Xander with brute force. The lance stabs Xander right below the heart area. Xander slowly descends to the ground, back first.

Marth wipes his forehead off. "Whew."

"What's this man made out of?" Barst blurted out loud.

"Beast!" Jagen answered.

"What!?" Caeda said.

Jagen sighed. "I've researched Prince Xander, Peri and Laslow while in the other room. They are from a land called Nohr. Nohr has a bad reputation,yet many allies appear to be on the radar there. After all, a bad rep is a beast rep..."

"So. Nohr. Got it!" Ogma said.

Barst approaches Xander and takes his map.

"Har! You lot ain't goin' nowhere!" Barst teased to the injured, fallen Nohrians.

The woodcutter opened the map. "This glowing place. Might be Nohr. Should I?" Barst asked his allies.

Ogma raised his arms. "Don't touch," he demanded.

Barst hesitates. "But boss!"

"Ogma," Caeda softly said.

Ogma sighs. "Fine then. To Nohr we go. Coming Jagen?"

"Yes. These three appear to be heavily injured. Luckily I managed to get a message out to guards prior to this chaos," Jagen replied.

The guards arrive, equipped with masks, armor and weapons.

"We're here!" the first guard yelled.

Jagen directed the guards' view to the bested Nohrians. "Arrest them this instance!"

"No problem!" the second guard said, cuffing Xander and his retainers. All of the guards pick up the Nohrians and carry them out.

Ogma waits until the guards leave with the criminals. "Watch out. We're visiting the monsters' homeland. Anything is possible.."

Ogma touches the Nohrian part of the map and his group including Marth and Jagen are warped there.

The young incarnation of Tiki rushes into the castle but is too late.

"..."

Young Tiki falls asleep.