Author's note: I don't own any of these characters. Also to Lord Destroyer: This isn't going to be a Tharja and Avatar pairing. What I had between them in the last chapter was to explain Tharja's creepy attraction for the Avatar. It'd be different of course if it's a female Avatar, but I didn't worry about that.

I hope people like this chapter better. I think it's an improvement since the last two chapters.

A Child's Dream

Luke looked at the cloudless sky and took a deep breath. "It's so nice here." He thought contently. "I think good things will happen here. I'm sure of it." His thoughts eventually came to the here and now, so he decided to look at the supplies that Tharja gave him.

"Some dried fruit, biscuits,a water canteen and w-what?! What's this now?" Luke reached in and pulled out a magic tome. It had a deep burgundy cover with gold trimming and a flame symbol in the middle. He flipped open the first page and a note fell out.

"Thought you could make use of this. You may not realize it, but your magic skills are to kill for. Don't overuse this book. You can't use it too many times. –Tharja"

Luke ran his fingers along the golden trim. "Wow...this looks nice! But how do I use it?" He flipped through the pages and observed the incantations on it. "Maybe I have to say them out aloud...but Tharja said don't overuse it. Maybe I'll attempt it some other time." He stowed the tome back in his bag and started walking.

Everything about Ylisse seemed nicer. The flawless blue sky and the rich green grass blended together and looked very beautiful. "This would be a great scene to paint...although I can't paint to save myself." Luke smiled remembering that fact.

A couple of hours later, Luke started to feel tired. He plunked down under a tree and ate a small portion of the food packed in the bag. He thought about everything that had happened to him. The family he knew all his life...and the family he ran away from. The girl who let herself fall back into the slave trade, just to let him escape, and the creepy dark mage that would stalk him forever. "Now that's just plain creepy." Luke thought.

He looked at the setting sun and realized that it would soon be dark. Since the weather was nice, Luke decided to sleep under the stars. As he laid there, he started to think about his future. "I am sick and tired of everyone I hold dear being taken away. Something that could be done to save people...maybe a tactician? But...that was awful how my plan worked out. It took forever to make up and it was terrible! No wonder it failed..."

Luke recalled what Aversa told him during their strategy games together when they were younger.

Luke threw his arms up in frustration. "I lost again! How do you do it Aversa? How can you crush your little brother's dreams like that?"

Aversa started smiling. "Oh please, you're overreacting. But may I ask what dream it is that you have?"

Luke calmed down. "I-I just want to beat you for once. I can very seem to stand up against your tactical mind!" Luke started sniffling.

"You should know that you're getting close. I feel like I'm nearly cornered, but then you make you mistake. That's how I always win." Said Aversa.

"You're just saying that!" cried Luke.

Aversa shook her head. "Nope, someday, you'll get the best of me. Only a matter of time. But I try hard too; I want to be a tactician when I grow up. People seem to think I have potential for that."

Luke sat up. "Really? I want to be one too! So I guess this is training. Mostly for me though..."

Aversa put her hand on Luke's shoulder. "Don't be so hard on yourself. Just remember, the greatest tacticians weren't always successful. They learned from their mistakes. Many study strategy books. I have one if you would like to read it."

Luke smiled. "Yes please!"

"Guess I'll just have to try. Maybe someone will be able to give me more pointers..." Luke's eyelids started to feel heavy, and he soon fell asleep.

Luke woke up feeling well rested. He stood up and brushed the grass off his clothes. "Ugh. More walking. I wish the carriage could have taken me farther..." Knowing that standing there wouldn't change anything, he started to walk along the roads.

Eventually, Luke came across a signpost. He read the directions. "North-Ylisstol, Southwest-Plegia." "Guess I'll head north then." He thought.

As he continued down the pathway, he felt something tap his back. Luke yelped and turned around to see who it was. It was a little girl with two blond ponytails in a yellow dress. Luke stood looking at the girl in shock.

The little girl giggled. "You should have seen the look on your face! You shrieked and then you did a hilarious rubbery thing!"

Luke just stared at the girl. "I did a what kind of face?"

"A rubbery thing." The girl prompted.

"Lissa!" a voice cried out.

The girl named Lissa and Luke turned to see who it was. It was a boy around Luke's age with navy blue hair. "Lissa what were you thinking?! You can't just go pranking random strangers!"

Lissa shrugged his words. "Lighten up Big Brother! Just having some fun. I'm always bored..."

The boy looked at Luke. "Sorry about my little sister. She can be reckless sometimes."

"Hey!" shouted Lissa. She turned to Luke. "Fine, I'm sorry." Lissa then started running. "Catch me if you can Brother!"

The boy's eyes widened. "Lissa!" he started running after her.

Luke found himself laughing at the sight. It reminded him of the bickering that went between him and Aversa. All the sudden, he heard a girl scream. It sounded awfully like the little girl that he just saw.

Luke quickly jumped up and ran to investigate.