Wow, that last chapter was a wordy-doozy eh? My fingers still ache in regards to it and a massive thanks to you know not for his very long reviews, a joy to read. The second one he gave me hit on quite a lot including some theoreticals I fully intend to cover, one I was actually plotting out right before reading the review, fancy that.

Here we meet the rest of this arc's driving force, most of them have been adapted from FENE but put into this new 'Five Pieces' system as well as a brand new character joining their ranks. Though those villains are still a bit off, we'll see them soon enough!

Also little factoid: in the original draft for "Stories" there was a sixth story that Soren and Mia would be told by Gahnzo and Tohgum about the smuggle called "My Failure" it was written out for many reasons. Also the cities Unitt, Usvale, Wisin, Heogettr and Quadnis have their own naming convention, what could it be?

Chapter 19 – Encounter

Centra Stronghold

"Sirs. A foreign…delegation is here to speak with you."

One of the Five Pieces, the Rook: Lyger Heitnaro turned to face the messenger and raised an eyebrow "Foreign delegation?"

Lyger wore thick, steel armor, the body painted red while the trims remained silver. His shoulder guards extended fairly out while coarse mythril covered his arms and exposed abdomen area. His legs were fully decked out in similar red armor while a gold sash around his waist fell behind his legs.

His short blond hair was spiked straight up, his black eyes looked to the messenger, his natural expression was one of strength, though with the slightest alteration it became fierce and strict.

"Who are the delegates?"

"The one in lead claims to be an old…friend? He presents himself as Head Commander Neteau of the Thyremog Guard."

"Neteau?"

Lyger looked to his brother the King: Yuuten. His hair was pulled back in contrast to his brother's though he had the same black eyes. He wore belt bound leather armor over his upper body, topped by a plate while his legs were similarly armed like his brother, though less thick in comparison. He also had the same mythril around his arms.

Lyger shook his head "Yuuten, Thyremog has not visited for nearly a year!"

"Seven months should hardly be considered 'nearly a year' and they most likely had a good reason for it. Let them in."

As the messenger turned away Yuuten looked to his Bishop "Looks like you'll get to meet our old friends after all."

"Are you sure they're still friends? Lyger's not wrong."

Lyger pointed at him "That's why we he's here, the only one who sees things my way."

Yuuten rolled his eyes "You see everything for the worst possible threat it can be."

"Yes and we're still alive because of it! Right Wyre?"

The Bishop: Wyre Reh bowed "Yes sir." Compared to the more grizzled in their age King and Rook, the Bishop was a young man, he wore a robe folded in itself over his chest. The portion on top through which his right arm came through was a brown color with golden, lightning bolt style trims while the latter half beneath it and over his left arm was a bright red with straight orange trims. His orange gloved hands folded behind his back on which his golden cape rested.

His lower body was covered by the same brown robes that comprised part of his robe and led to his gray shoes.

His hair as bright as the lightning he can call upon hung in front of his face and came up in several spikes before it ended, falling behind his neck.

As Yuuten sighed he gestured around "Knight. Queen. Where did they go?"

Wyre was about to speak when the doors opened again and the strangers walked in.

Despite his initial skepticism, Lyger was the first to clear the room and embrace Neteau "Commander! You old bastard! It's been too long!"

"Lyger! I'd appreciate it if you released me, I'm not quite cut out for these death grips you call hugs anymore."

The Rook pulled away and laughed "Indeed you aren't. What do you know Yuuten, Wyre, it is him."

Yuuten brought an open hand to his face as Wyre chuckled before looking to the others "And…all of you are?"

The one in the lead with blue hair bowed slightly "My name is Ike, this is my deputy Titania, sister Mist and close friend Ranulf. We are Emissaries from Tellius."

Yuuten raised an eyebrow as he sat "Tellius?"

Neteau broke in at that point "Yes, Tellius it is a large land, much bigger than our Thyremog located about a week and a half or so to the east. King Lytros is taking a small crew there now to establish relations."

Lyger nodded "Well. Would you look at that? New friends! You are friends, correct?"

"We would like to be." Titania stated.

"As good as this all is, it is odd that after such a long silence you just…appear again. What happened in Thyremog?" Wyre asked.

Neteau looked to the younger man "You are the Bishop of the Five Pieces?"

"Yes, became the new Bishop a short while back after Tallnit retired."

Neteau nodded "Good to meet you then."

"Likewise."

The old soldier cleared his throat "Well, as for Thyremog. What happened is…"

Major Port City Wisin

"So how will we know where the underground duels take place?" Zihark asked to which Leah sighed.

"I'm not entirely sure…but would be contestants let the Sharks know without speaking. The Sharks then find a way to discreetly give you the information be it dropping a note somewhere or just bumping into you and putting it in your pocket. It's not like we can just wave our hands and call out we want to do some illegal activities."

Soren nodded "Well…we all have swords, keep them visible and let's go around. Suffice to say we look like the kinds of people a betting man would bet on."

Leah nodded then looked to Mia "She doesn't."

"What was that?"

Leah shook his head "No! No! I didn't mean it that way! It's just…the fact is there are almost no women involved in the underground…Sharks don't look to them!"

Mia rolled her eyes "That's bullshit!"

Soren put a hand on her shoulder "Mia, we know you are the best among us, just because some strangers don't…well, it doesn't mean anything."

Mia sighed "I know…but it still…"

Zihark clapped his hands "Well, we're going off to act like inconspicuous badasses…though to be fair, Soren, you don't look like a badass sword master."

"And I still have many lessons to take. You and Leah will have to do."

Mia snapped her fingers "Soren! You and I should go look for the port guys while Zihark and Leah handle this end!"

Zihark nodded as he walked away, Leah going in a different direction, the Daein spoke "Excellent idea!"

At that moment, what Uhnie said came back to Soren "You two should stick together."

Leah came to a halt "We'd cover more ground this way."

"Yeah Soren." Mia commented.

After a short silence the mage spoke up "What if a Shark catches the two of you together and determines you're both a good bet? Together you'd draw more attention."

Zihark and Leah looked to each other with the latter nodding "I suppose."

Zihark grinned "Someone has to elbow you when your hands start shaking again."

Leah nodded, subconsciously bringing his hands together to stop any trembling "That would help, yes."

"Well we have our pairs, Soren. Mia. Good luck!" With that Zihark gestured for Leah to follow him, though not before winking towards the other pair.

Mia looked at Soren "Are you alright?"

"Hm?"

"I don't know…your plan just…you sounded a little desperate to keep them together."

Soren was about to say something but stopped himself "Don't lie."

"Mia…I'll tell you as we walk, c'mon."

Centra Stronghold

"Hm. Sounds like you all had the rough go of it." Lyger stated as he sat down.

Wyre nodded "And this act of smuggling you were talking about…that doesn't sit right with me…"

"Believe me, it hasn't sat right with us since it happened." Neteau said "Would it be too much to ask for a seat, I'm not as limber as I once was."

Ranulf scoffed "He was at the front lines with the best of us during the battle."

Yuuten stood and went to retrieve a seat as the door opened and an older woman walked in.

"I heard Neteau was here."

He turned "Miina?"

She walked over to him with a smile "In the flesh, unlike Tallnit and Wyton I have no desire of retiring from this fine troupe."

As Yuuten set down a chair and Neteau sat he looked to the Queen "Wyton retired as well?"

Lyger nodded "We have a new Knight, he hits like a group of stampeding horses. By the way Miina, you just missed the whole story as to where they've been."

"You can fill me in later."

The Queen: Miina Nil wore a long scarlet dress tied at the waist with a brilliant blue sash. Her hair was tied into a long red ponytail that fell down her back. The light in her green eyes was soft showing she was at the very least a gentle person compared to Yuuten's business, Lyger's hotheadedness and Wyre's inquisitiveness.

Sitting again Yuuten gestured to Ike "So. Emissaries. What do you hope to do here?"

"Well. Lytros asked us to investigate the smuggle. Three of my comrades and a local they met are in Wisin right now trying to find the ship and crew captains of the last ship from Thyremog that came here seven months ago to see if they know anything."

Yuuten nodded "I have a man of my own conducting an investigation in Wisin, not for the smuggle but I should send word to him to help your people if he meets them."

"Your Knight?"

The King smiled "Indeed. You should never just let that piece stand can collect dust, it is the most strategic, at least in my opinion."

Wyre snapped his fingers "We do have another issue we might benefit from more aid in."

Lyger looked to the Bishop "We can handle that issue."

"No offense Rook but you've been saying that since it became an issue and its still not handled."

As Lyger called back Ranulf leaned over to Ike "Should he be speaking to him that way?"

Mist laughed "Did you not listen to anything Neteau said? They're all on equal ground."

"They can bitch to each other as much as they want." The pair looked to Titania who raised an eyebrow "What? Those were Neteau's exact words."

"She's right." The old soldier said.

Major Port City Wisin

"Those two? Yeah saw them four days ago."

"And?"

"And not since then. I figured they moved or are in the middle of something."

"Alright. Thanks."

Shaking his head the man walked away, running a hand through his silver hair. Everything about the man was silver, his armor was very reflective in the sunlight, his white cape, pale eyes. Beneath it all he wore a dark blue vest and leggings. Though his skin was also pale he carried himself with such purpose, he gave off the impression of a man who was anything but weak or sick.

He came to a halt as two people walked by, talking amongst themselves.

For some reason they struck him as…odd…so he followed them.

"Leah…you have to stop looking at every single person, any Sharks we pass will be scared off by you."

"Sorry. Just-"

"Nervous? I'm well aware."

Leah shook his head "I don't mean to be-"

"I know. But you are. And that's fine. Honestly I'm from a world where people took things in far too great a stride sometimes. You are looking for your brother to possibly challenge him in a duel to the death. You should be nervous."

Leah breathed out "But I wish I wasn't. I look at you. Soren. Mia. So confident."

Zihark shook his head "Those two lack confidence where it counts."

Leah tilted his head "What do you mean?"

"Soren and Mia excel in battle, they're unstoppable and they trust each other with their lives. In a combat situation they act as one, they've never lost a battle while they were at each other's side. When the battle ends though, that's when they can no longer truly express themselves."

Leah shook his head "I'm not sure I understand."

"Leah. I know you've only been around a bit but you have to have seen the way they look at each other."

Leah looked straight ahead and thought back "They do…stare a lot…oh!"

Zihark nodded "Yeah. Neither of them can force the words out though so they're stuck in this dance around it."

Leah smiled "So they're…just people."

"We're all people."

"From what you've told me, you all seem so…superhuman. Fighting all your lives, killing to survive, traveling to new lands."

"At the end of the day, if you cut me I bleed. No amount of skill makes me any more or less human than you…the same goes for you and your brother, you are human. When the fight does come it'll be fair."

Leah shook his head "I'm not sure."

Zihark put an arm around him "Hey. The Sharks don't pull in the combatants for a battle this very night, they have to set it up. How many days we wind up having, we'll train you. You will be ready."

Leah smirked "Thanks. You. Mia. Soren. You really just…took me under your wings eh?"

Zihark laughed "Yeah…Mia loves meeting new practitioners of the blade to expand her roster. I think there is something inside you that you have yet to see and Soren…well…you'll have to chat with him yourself, I most definitely can NOT speak for that man."

"Well…thank you, Zihark."

"Don't mention it and please, call me Z."

"Uhnie said that."

"Yeah."

"We should tell Leah and Z! They could be-"

Soren shook his head "Uhnie specifically said that whatever it was, was focused on me."

"Well if they want you they'll have to go through me, you're my partner, nothing is getting to you."

Soren nodded "I believe it…let's try here. Excuse me."

A dock worker turned, he was a bit older than the others they passed, hopefully he knew something.

"Gahnzo and Tohgum? Thyremog? Hmm…that was a bit ago…I'm fairly sure the two sold their ship, let the crew go and settled in the Fish Alley, go down that way, the signs are…well fish shaped. Lots of it goes through those roads to and from the ports."

Soren nodded "Thank you very much."

"Soren. Someone is following us." Hearing Mia's whisper, Soren maintained himself and started walking in the direction the man gestured.

"Really?"

"Yeah…I've felt like something was on us for a bit…while you were chatting with that man I bent over to stretch, saw him come to a halt a few feet back. Rather rigidly. Might it be-"

Soren shook his head "I don't think so…but…maybe…"

"Should we turn down an alley and lose him?"

Soren ran all the possibilities. If this man was what caused Uhnie to look at him in such a way, he should definitely take no chances. Even worse this could be someone looking to silence Gahnzo and Tohgum for whatever reason.

"Now."

Together the pair shot down an alley, the man ran after them, sure enough said alley was vacant.

Closing his eyes he breathed in deeply, bending down he shot into the air and landed on the roof in front of Soren and Mia, who came to a halt and drew their weapons.

The man pulled out his Silver Spear "Who are you?"

"Who are we? Who are you? Why are you following us?" Soren called. He noted Mia moving in front of him defensively.

"Don't try anything." She hissed, Soren was a bit surprised at how angry she sounded.

"Answer my question then."

"Answer ours!" Soren yelled.

Moving forward the man was met by Mia, her blade striking his lance with force, pushing him back. Instead of reeling back, he moved with his weapon, spinning around the weapon turning his reeling into a strike, embedding his spear into the roof, narrowly missing Mia as she flipped away.

Ripping the lance out he charged her, stabbing forward as she jumped over him. Hit boot slid across the ground as he stopped himself and jerked his arm back. Seeing this Mia tried to cross her arms to block the incoming spear's hilt but it was too quick, ramming into her chest and throwing her to the ground.

Now it was Soren's turn to feel the anger, whipping up a gale he grabbed the man, lifted him into the air and slammed him into the roof before throwing him thought a window and into the next building.

Running over he helped Mia up "Are you alright?"

She coughed "Yeah…damn, he's fast."

The pair turned as the man landed on the roof again.

Soren clenched his fists "You are making the last mistake you ever will."

The man smirked "Prove it then."

Centra Stronghold

Yuuten gestured everyone to the dining hall for more comfortable accommodations.

"Food?"

"We don't want to impose." Mist answered.

"But I'm starving." Ranulf answered.

Yuuten called a chef over and spoke quickly before looking back to Ranulf "This has been bugging me…you have ears and a tail yes? Everyone can see it?"

The other Pieces nodded before Ranulf started chuckling "Yes I do have ears and a tail. I'm a Laguz. A species from Tellius that can shift from our Tribe appearance into various beasts."

"He turns into a giant blue cat." Ike stated.

Lyger laughed "A cat!? Truly a terrifying beast!"

Ranulf shrugged "Hey, I let my actions speak for me. I fought against some of the most powerful people in my country."

Titania put a hand on his shoulder "And got tossed aside by them."

"At least I fought them! You clashed with none of them!"

Now it was Titania's turn to laugh "I wasn't trying to offend you Ranulf.

"So. Wyre right?"

"Wyre Reh. Yes."

Ike nodded "What is the issue you and Lyger were yelling to each other about?"

Wyre Reh looked at Lyger and Yuuten, the former rolled his eyes while the latter nodded. He then turned to Miina who nodded as well before facing Ike.

"A fiendish cult has formed in our midst."

"A…cult?" Ike looked to Titania "That's new."

As she nodded Wyre continued "These…people-"

"Call them what they are! Things!" Lyger yelled.

"These things. They hunt at night, kidnapping people…we thought it to be the resurrection of the Shark Rows in the various undergrounds but most of those have been closed if not all of them, most of the Sharks are in prison or dead. For a while disappearances of young men ceased…and then they returned…along with women…the elderly, children and…"

Wyre tried to continue but couldn't, Miina spoke up "Babies."

The mood in the room dropped considerably, the rage, anger and fury was not only in Lyger's eyes anymore.

"Why?" Was all Ike could allow himself to say.

Wyre shook his head "If only we knew…the cult is…quiet, they commit these atrocities in the dead of night, the few times our patrols have come close they…take off into the sky. They fly away."

Mist tilted her head "They can fly?"

Major Port City Wisin

"Come on just do it!"

Giving in, Leah drew Cerulean and charged Zihark who pulled out his Killing Edge in a flash, the weapons clashed.

Zihark smirked as he broke Leah's guard and kicked him to the ground.

"I've got quite the moves eh?" He beckoned to the few people who stopped walking to watch this…performance?

Standing Leah yelled and charged, Zihark tripped him "C'mon man!"

Rolling over and sweeping his leg, he caught nothing as Zihark leapt away. Springing to his feet, Leah charged again, his blue blade leaving a trail as it struck Zihark's Killing Edge, flipping around he tried to go for Zihark's other side but a slight sword adjustment stopped that attack as well.

Zihark then kneed Leah in the stomach before leaping and kicking him away, gesturing to the crowd "Cool eh?"

There were a few cheers and some whistles.

"Zihark…you're being a little more rough than I was…expecting."

"Trial by fire kid. Trial by fire."

Soren rolled across the ground, spear narrowly missing him. He noted the stranger almost flew at him, barely touching the roof.

Mia leapt in and caught his spear giving Soren the chance to unleash a close range Elwind into the man's armored chest, pushing him a few feet away.

Spinning his spear he leapt over them, Mia shot up to meet him, weapons striking, this time though the force behind his spear was more than Mia was expecting, she lost her grip on her Wo Dao.

Landing he spun his spear and she began dodging it to the best of her abilities as Soren conjured up several sharp Arcwind gales all around the stranger.

Noting them, he jumped back as Soren sent them in. Spinning his spear he stabbed it into each consecutive gale, breaking them then shooting forward to step on Mia's Wo Dao before she could pick it up.

Jumping away she felt a cut and landed on the roof on her back.

Soren kneeled down next to her to see the gash across her abdomen. "This guy…isn't normal."

He kicked the Wo Dao away and smirked. Soren helped Mia up and gave her his iron sword "When we're together. We're invincible."

Mia nodded "We are."

Soren pulled out a tome and closed his eyes, the air around them shifted to a green as Mia shot forward, with all her might she swung her blade, clashing repeatedly with the man's spear. As much as her muscles ached to hit the stout weapon with so much force behind it she kept it up.

Finally a gale pulled her away, the man tried to move forward but the air around him whipped around into a hurricane. He was taken into the sky, and twisted about as Mia waited for him to fall helplessly to the ground.

The hurricane finally broke, but he didn't fall.

Still in the air he was gripping his side and breathing hard before spitting.

Mia looked at him oddly then to Soren then back.

"He can fly?"

Centra Stronghold

As they ate, Lyger shook his head "Flying…things…you can imagine why we have such a hard time dealing with them and with their 'would hurt a child' personalities. Our soldiers find it risky as well, many are worried they'll go out to defend the peace and come home to an empty house…"

"It's already happened." Wyre muttered "My girlfriend, Shae…her brother was taken by them…I shot the creature with my magic and it dropped him…broken neck, died on impact."

Ike closed his eyes as Titania spoke "I'm…so sorry."

"She…she tells me I tried my best but I feel like such a failure."

"What's worse." Miina started "They don't broadcast their intentions, they don't want the Hitenticul Crown like most generic would be rulers…and unlike that rat Jilger they show no interest in leaving Hitenticul. Though that is a blessing in disguise, we wouldn't wish child stealing creatures on anyone."

Ike crossed his arms "I understand…but how can we stop them if we don't even know who they are?"

Wyre raised an eyebrow "We?"

Titania nodded "We are here to make an impression…and given what you all told us, its impossible for us to just ignore this threat."

Mist let out a heavy sigh "But it really sounds like you guys don't have a lot to go on."

Ranulf agreed "There has to be some way though, right?"

Yuuten put down his utensils and nodded "There is…I have a source…he's been able to tell me a little about this group, their name, the fact that they drink the blood of their victims but not much else."

Lyger scoffed "Yeah, this source is apparently so important Yuuten won't let any of the other Pieces meet him."

"They drink blood?" Titania shook her head "They are insane."

Yuuten nodded before looking to Lyger "As for my source there are very good reasons as to why you can't meet him. I trust his word…but his information on the cult is compromised by his own mental state in regards to them…it comes back in flashes and we can't wait for the flash of where exactly they are."

"An escaped victim?" Ranulf asked.

"Basically."

"So who are they? What's this cult's name?"

Looking to Ike, Yuuten spoke "The Order of Rein."