~ Syalla and Hisari ~

Syalla: Hisari? You sure are far from camp tonight. I expected you to be with everyone else near the campfire. The weather isn't exactly kind to us right now.

Hisari: I was just thinking about how things would be if we weren't here fighting the war.

Syalla: What? Why are you thinking about that?

Hisari: I don't know. I just... Ever since this all started, I can't stop thinking about what we could be doing now if the Thotians hadn't invaded. It probably wouldn't be too enjoyable, that's for sure. Mother and Father would just be yelling at me about not having the family magic.

Syalla: ...

Hisari: You know that's how it would be. Mother practically never shut up about the damn power when we were growing up. 'A queen needs to have black magic if she ever wants to take the throne. Your brother may not have it since he's not fit for it, but at least he's a carrier unlike you!' Tch. Typical of her.

Syalla: Last time, you were talking about what would happen after the war. I get the feeling I know what all of this is about now.

Hisari: H-Huh? Go on, tell me what's up.

Syalla: You're afraid things will go back to the way they were before the Thotians invaded.

Hisari: I... Um...

Syalla: You don't need to hide things from me.

Hisari: Fine... I-I know it's horrible, but I'm almost glad that the Thotians invaded our home. I'm mad that all the people of Xylia are hurting because of it, but I'm okay that our parents are gone. Gods, my entire life has just been one giant argument with them. I'm not fit to rule, I'm too rebellious, I'm a bother... You heard what they'd say. I know it's awful that I'm saying this, but...

Syalla: You were sick of the constant verbal abuse.

Hisari: Y-Yeah, I guess I was...

Syalla: And you don't want things to go back to the way they were before. Even if our parents are gone, the common people might find out that you don't have the magic of the royal family. They might ridicule you the same way Mother and Father did before they died.

Hisari: And if you're not there, I'll have no one to vouch for me. Gods know where Akamatsu is right now. He might be with Mother and Father for all we know.

Syalla: I have faith our brother is out there somewhere. Anyone that's like him knows how to put up a fight.

Hisari: You're right... Thanks for talking to me, Syalla.

Syalla: It was my pleasure. If you need reassurance again, come find me. You don't have to close yourself off.

Hisari: Thanks again.

Syalla: No problem.

~ Syalla and Hisari have attained support level A ~

~ Gale and Xavier ~

Xavier: Wow! Gods, Gale, you got that deer easily! I never would have guessed that you would be such a good hunter!

Gale: Truthfully, me neither.

Xavier: When we get back home, I'm sure everyone will want to hear about what you've been doing! It's impressive that you managed to learn how to do it this fast! In time, you'll be the best melee hunter in our village! No, the area! No, all of Phazenia! You're absolutely amazing, Gale!

Gale: I don't know if I would go that far... I'm just starting out as far as hunting goes. I'm positive that you're much more skilled than I ever will be.

Xavier: I would go that far! You're incredible!

Gale: Well... Thanks, I suppose...

Xavier: No problem! It's my pleasure!

Gale: Xavier, I... I need to apologize to you.

Xavier: Huh? For what?

Gale: You see, I was trying to shut you out earlier. I was thinking of you as annoying instead of trying to talk to you. We never talked much back in the village, and now that we're much closer due to the war, I didn't know how to handle it. I guess that I'm just too used to being alone. I still haven't gotten used to being around all these other people that are part of our fighting force quite yet. It's radically different from what I've seen all my days before this. I'm sorry for taking it out in an inappropriate fashion. I shouldn't have been so rude to you.

Xavier: I got the feeling that you were just lonely and needed a little bit of support to open up. I could see that you were mad, but I could also tell that you wanted human interaction. You always seemed closed off and lonely. I didn't like that. Even if you were surly and rough on the outside, I never got the feeling you were really trying to be mean. You're as soft as a little puppy in my eyes!

Gale: I never would have expected to find companionship in someone so different from me, but... I suppose that life can surprise you in all sorts of ways.

Xavier: Yeah! And I'm glad that I decided to approach you. You're a lot cooler than I would have thought you would be. Plus, you're a really good hunter. I'm drawn to people like that.

Gale: I guess this means we're friends now...

Xavier: You're just now thinking that we're friends? I thought we had been friends all along.

Gale: Really?

Xavier: Of course!

Gale: Well... Thanks. I'm glad to be your friend, Xavier.

Xavier: Same to you!

Gale: Wait... Did you just call me a little puppy?

~ Gale and Xavier have attained support level A ~

~ Dahlia and Ricola ~

Ricola: Lady Dahlia?

Dahlia: What is it, Ricola?

Ricola: O-Oh, I just wanted to see how you were holding up. I know that all of this has happened so suddenly... I can tell that you're upset over all that has happened, which is natural, so I wanted to talk to you.

Dahlia: I'm doing fine, Ricola. I mean it.

Ricola: It doesn't seem that way... Forgive me if I'm prying, Lady Dahlia. I'm just worried about you. Your father and mother are nowhere to be found. We haven't a clue where your brother is. You must be so torn up inside.

Dahlia: Ricola, I told you. I'm fine. Would you leave me alone now?

Ricola: I-If that's what you want... But I'm not going to leave until you've made it clear that you're alright. I'm your retainer, Lady Dahlia. You can trust me to tell me anything that's on your mind. You know that.

Dahlia. I don't need to say anything to you. I'm doing fine.

Ricola: Would you please talk to me? You look like you're going to cry...

Dahlia: For the last time, Ricola, I'm fine! Gods, would you just listen to me for once?! If I tell you that I'm fine, I mean it! It's rude to assume someone is lying, especially your liege!

Ricola: A-Alright... I-I apologize... Gods, it's like I care more about the safety of her brother than she does...

Dahlia: Wh-What was that?

Ricola: I'm just worried about Lord Cedric... I hope that he wasn't hurt in the invasion on the palace... I don't know what I'll do if he was...

Dahlia: Why are you so worried about my brother? He's surely fine. You know how strong he is.

Ricola: The Thotian army is strong... I hope he wasn't injured in the invasion... If he was captured...

Dahlia: I suppose they are powerful...

Ricola: Don't worry. I'll protect you though. I promise.

Dahlia: Alright... Thank you... And... Sorry I yelled. I'm just worried about my family.

Ricola: You aren't the only one...

Dahlia: Do... Do you think they'll all be okay?

Ricola: I'm sure your brother was able to get away... He's an able fighter. He was teaching you to fight before the war began, so he can defend himself if need be. Your mother is skilled in magic, so I'm sure she is safe as well.

Dahlia: What about my father?

Ricola: You know how powerful he is. Your father will be fine. Soon, they'll all be back with us and Thotia will have to leave the Phazenian palace for good.

Dahlia: You're right. Thanks, Ricola.

Ricola: No problem... Gods, I hate lying to her... But at the same time, I get the feeling she's lying to herself too...

~ Dahlia and Ricola have attained support level C ~

This update is a bit later in the day (aka just after midnight) since I wanted to wait until Friday to post it. Why?

It's my friend's birthday. She and I have been close for about three years now, so I decided to update this on her birthday. She's the one who made Dahlia, Ricola, Jaxon, Cedric, Caspian, and a newer character named Taneeya. I'm not going to go on a whole speech here about how close we are, so I'll just say happy birthday Goro-Akechi! Even if I am relentless in Uno sometimes (JUSTICE FOR NOM), I still love you! No homo!

Now for reviews!

Dubrovnik: We'll have to see what happens to them. Around chapter ten, we go to Xylia and see everything that's going on with them. I'll just say that the crown prince ends up in some trouble.

Guest: The reinforcements thing would likely just bring about trouble. The Phazenian king would probably be the most likely to recognize Neil, but he's kind of a terrible person (though I would use many other words to describe him), so he wouldn't want to do that. Reinforcements would just bring an unnecessary fight about. As for the incoming army, I'm going to explain that in detail in a coming update. Basically, Thotians are well-versed in magic most of the time, so they can make themselves invisible and stuff. To make things worse for Phazenia, the royal guard is small since the king thinks himself to be invincible and stuff. He's still not a good person. And yes, magic swords. We don't get our next one for a while, but there's the first one.

That's about it for this update. Once again, happy birthday to ma girl! For everyone else, I hope you enjoyed!

-Digital