Chapter 10) The Ageless Palace

Diana POV

The Holy Empire of Archanea is around 600 years old, founded when the first Emperor, Adrah, unified the various city-states under a single banner. With its help, the other kingdoms rose, but Archenea was always the greatest, sharing its name with the continent itself. Of course, as time went on, the 'Holy Empire' lost itself to corruption and complacency, but it was still the strongest, and the wealthiest.

It's been over six months since Nyna and I escaped. It's been over two years since it fell. This time… this time, we're taking it back.

"Diana, you know how much I appreciate you, right?" Nyna's sudden words made me pause, and when I glanced up, I saw she looked deathly serious. "Right?" she asked again.

"Well, yes?" I replied, now a little confused. We'd just been resting in her tent, taking a breather before the war council. She'd been fixing her gloves and I'd been sharpening my sword, and we both pretended the world outside didn't exist for a few marks. "What brought that up?"

"I… well…" She sighed, and set her gloves to the side. I noticed she hadn't managed to fix a single tear in them, and set my sword to the side to try and mend them myself. Gloves were my weakness, though, so I doubted I'd do a good job. "Marth and Kris got into an argument."

"They what." I was so startled that I actually managed to prick myself, even through my own gloves. "Ack, that's going to bleed."

"Oh, are you okay?!" Nyna moved her chair closer to mine and took my hand. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault that the news you brought was so shocking." I went ahead and set her gloves down. There was no way I was going to manage mending them now. "But they had a fight?"

"Pretty much. Marth was depressed about it earlier, when we were talking." She sighed, looking morose. "Apparently, she thought herself useless? Worthless? Marth could barely even say the words, so I'm not quite sure what she said. But it got me worrying that you're feeling the same."

"No?" If anything, I was just more confused. "What makes her think that?"

"Marth wasn't sure. She brought up Merric and Linde and their spells, but he's just so confused." She let go of my hands and dropped her own to her lap. "He thinks of her as his irreplaceable friend, as part of him as his own shadow. Yet she…" She shrugged. "I fretted."

"It's fine." I leaned back a bit, actually tipping my chair onto its back legs, keeping my balance thanks to the table between us. "I wonder why…" But, after only a moment's thought, the answer came to me.

She simply didn't know. She couldn't see how much Prince Marth adored and relied on her. She saw his interactions with others, and did not realize how even with them, he was still 'the prince'. But not to her. To her, he was simply the 'silly prince', the 'pretty boy' she teased relentlessly. There were no 'ranks' between them. He was simply a person to her, and one she poked and prodded. But it was hard for her to see, because she was so used to him. She simply saw his laughter and relaxing, and didn't realize how even Merric, his childhood friend, still called him 'Prince Marth' and kept a certain distance.

But it was also more than that. She felt threatened, because she thought she had a role, and now wasn't so certain. Her thoughts spiraled to darker turns because her role was not so defined. And I could understand that. I knew what it was like, to long for a place. I'd probably panic too, except I knew my role. I was Nyna's bodyguard, and I was… irreplaceable…

That thought made me freeze, to the point that I barely heard Nyna's worried call. Because that thought made me ill. That thought made me ill because I had to wonder, had to wonder, if I had… if I had manipulated Nyna at all. I didn't think I did, but would I have noticed? Would I have cared? By her side, I had a place. By her side, I had a role. I had something to define myself by, when I was with her. Had I manipulated things, even unconsciously, so that I had all that again?

I lost everything twice. Once when I escaped my family, and again when Archanea fell and the Wolf Pack died. I ran away from both things, desperate to escape the pain even though, I knew, knew, that I couldn't, because I didn't have the strength to run and protect Nyna. I ignored, avoided, and even lied to escape those pasts. My nightmares haunted me, but I didn't breathe a word of them to anyone.

But in my running away, had I turned myself into a parasite? Had I ensured Nyna was dependant on me? Had I done the same to Charles and the Wolf Pack? I hated being useless, worthless, and I could understand why Kris would break down over it. Had I tried to manipulate things, unconsciously, to make sure I was never useless and worthless?

I didn't know. I couldn't answer that. I didn't think I had, but at the same time, I couldn't say I didn't.

"Diana?" Nyna's worried voice broke through my thoughts, and I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw she had actually leaned over the table to peer into my face worriedly. "You looked like you were a thousand worlds away," she whispered, frowning. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I replied automatically. I wasn't, but this was just how I reacted to troubling things. I ran. "Just lost in thought. Thanks for sending a search party." I made myself grin at my own stupid joke, and she laughed. "You really do need to mend those gloves, though."

"Oh, right!" She sat back down properly, and took up the gloves again, this time actually working on them. I watched her for a while before picking up my sword and inspecting it, making sure it was sharp, but not so sharp that it was too thin and useless.

But even as I did, I tried to think of what was best for Nyna, and decided I needed to put more effort in encouraging her to spend time with people other than me. I'd done some before, but I really needed to do it. She needed more friends besides me, and Jeorge. She needed to get out more, socialize. Even if it… it meant 'losing my place'... well, I'd been lost before. It wasn't anything new. I could deal. I could deal.

I didn't want to, but I could deal, and Nyna was far more important than myself. Always.

The original intention of the War Council had just been to make sure everyone knew what was going on. A quick and simple thing before charging the castle. However, somehow, it turned into a long winded thing that seriously had Minerva leave to ensure the enemy wasn't getting reinforcements. The worst part was that I, myself, was too distracted by my own worries to pay attention to why it was taking so long.

"We've gone very off-topic," Duke Hardin scolded at one point. He was probably the only one here with his head on straight, and the droll look he wore hinted he was rather annoyed at the rest of us. "Did the previous battle stress you too much?"

"I suppose we are a little tired," Prince Marth mumbled. He did his best to smile and act like everything was okay, but it was clear that his argument with Kris had shaken him a bit. "I'm sorry. You're right. If we're shaken by this, then how can we do our duty and save the continent?"

"Then perhaps you can actually weigh in on the report I read." Duke Hardin remained stern, and it was easy to know why. This was important, and most of us had our heads in the clouds, or our own problems. "Do I need to repeat it?"

"You mentioned there were Archanean knights being held prisoner, right? Or was there another one?"

"No, that's it." Duke Hardin sighed, but a smile softened his sternness this time. "Do you want me to re-read the full thing, though?"

"Yes, please. I'm sorry again for the trouble."

"It's fine, so long as it does not happen again." Duke Hardin picked up a piece of paper and began reading it. I didn't pay attention, instead looking around the tent. No Wolf this time, since he'd left with Princess Minerva. Kris was… somewhere in here, as I'd seen her dart in, but she was hiding well. Prince Marth and Duke Hardin standing at the table. Nyna sitting as always, with me perched on the arm of her chair out of habit. We'd given up bringing Princess Caeda into the meetings; she'd preferred spending time with the soldiers anyway.

"So, to summarize, these knights can be executed or be used as hostages?" Prince Marth murmured. He frowned, looking over the rough map we had of the palace. "Who would they be?"

"Based on rumors, simply surviving Archanean knights who were deemed 'useless' in battle or, at least, more useful as prisoners," Duke Hardin answered. He set the paper down on the table again. "I understand the mercenary corps attached to the palace was fielded elsewhere. We'll only be fighting Grust, and weaker ones at that."

"We definitely need to take advantage of that, but I worry for those knights. They've likely endured a lot of pain, and I would like to save them, if possible." Prince Marth sighed, resting his hands on the table. "What to do?"

"...Diana," Nyna suddenly called. She barely even glanced at me before closing her eyes. I knew it was to hide her own fear. After all, these knights likely included Midia, and the others who had tried to save her when the palace fell. "Do you know where the execution might take place or...?"

"I don't think it has already, since Dolhr likes making examples of those it executes," I replied. I leaned into her briefly, reassuringly, before straightening. "Though, I'll admit to also being bad and not paying attention. Anything on 'examples'?"

"No, there are no corpses on the gates this time, unless I missed that."

"Oh, good. Then I'm more certain they're still alive. Of course, there's still problems. For one…" I pointed to the map spread out on the table. "There are three places traditionally used for executions in the palace. Now, all three are outdoors, but it's still a one-in-three chance of picking the right one. That's assuming they've even been moved to the execution grounds. It's possible they'd just be killed in their cells, or dragged to another area to be used as hostages."

"And how might they be executed?"

"Since this is Grust, then we'll be dealing with the traditional firing squad." I closed my eyes, and thought a bit about what I knew from military. Most of what I knew came from Camus, but perhaps right now, we could use it to save the others. "And if they follow their own rules, then they'd be shot at 'last light', and they won't be led out until that time."

"...Meaning that we will need someone to infiltrate before everyone else in order to ascertain just where they are." Nyna nudged my arm, but when I opened my eyes, I saw hers were still closed. "Do you mind going in with Jeorge? Between the two of you, I think you'll have most of the secret passages known, and you're both quick."

"I can, but you'll need someone to guard the infirmary in my place." A thought occurred to me, though, and I hunted for Kris again among our group. It took a bit, since she was hiding in the shadows, but I eventually found her behind Prince Marth, too far for him to notice. "I recommend Kris, actually."

"I agree." Nyna's tone brooked no arguments, and for good reason. We've wasted too much time in this Council. "I thank each and every one of you for this." Nyna opened her eyes slowly, and fixed everyone with a regal gaze. I couldn't help but smile when I saw 'that light' in her eyes again. "It has been a long time, but with your strength, I believe we can succeed. I am ready. Let us reclaim my home."

The words were a dismissal, and Duke Hardin and Prince Marth left immediately to begin preparations. Nyna stood up slowly and went to the infirmary to help out there. I had intended to go find Jeorge and give him our marching orders, but a hand snagged my sleeve as I tried to leave the War Tent, and I looked back to see Kris staring at me with wide eyes.

"Why me?" she whispered. She looked a little lost, and her eyes were puffy, like she'd been crying. "I mean… there are stronger…"

"Perhaps, but they are simply stronger because of weapons and training, which can easily be replaced," I replied. I gently pried her hand off my sleeve. "Besides, it's not power alone that protects someone." I reached up to grasp her shoulder, a little annoyed she was taller than me. I was the older one, after all. "You need cunning. You need skill. Merric and Linde might have more power, but they're sheltered. They rely on their power, and are create spectacles. They're smart, but not cunning. You are." I smiled at her, even as my insides turned. After all, if she could do a good job, then maybe… maybe I needed Nyna far more than she needed me. But, at the same time, I didn't want Kris to feel so lost. I knew what that was like. I didn't want her to feel like I did. "I can tell by the smokescreens you make, among other things. You're far better suited to protect someone than those two."

"But…"

"Just try, Kris. And then later, have a good long talk with Marth, and actually listen to why he finds you irreplaceable." I squeezed her shoulder and turned away. "Oh, the healers all overwork, so you'll need to keep an eye on them and make sure they don't collapse. Maria's prone to it."

I made that my last bit of advice before I gave her a fussy lecture on everyone's habits. I had my own job this time, and I had to do it well. I had to, for my own sake.

Sneaking in was easy. We just used the same secret path that Camus had used to get Nyna and I out. Moving through unnoticed was a lot harder, but there were only two of us, and both Jeorge and I were very familiar with a lot of the hidden passages within the walls. He'd grown up here, after all, and I'd spent two years wandering the place. Of course, thanks to our quiet, we took to eavesdropping on the soldiers patrolling, hoping to catch some bit of information that would tell us where the knights were. After a few bits of damn useless information, mostly the soldiers bitching about the food or training schedules, we did manage to hear something. But it wasn't good.

"Damn, looks like they're going to execute them early," Jeorge murmured. I made some noise in acknowledgement, trying to decide just what I felt like. "Nothing on which one of the three, but there's one that's close to the dungeons. We might as well head that way."

"Yeah, sounds good," I whispered. I started feeling almost ill when we got inside, and my thoughts became a confusing mess of tangled knots. Though I should've ignored or run away from it, I couldn't help but poke and prod at it, like a little kid wiggling a loose tooth. Or more like poking a bruise, just to see if it still hurt or not, only to be greeted with inevitable pain.

"Maybe we'll get luck and hear something besides how much these people hate porridge. Serves them right, though. The people are going to rebel when you beat them into the ground, and Archaneans are stubborn enough to endure starvation if it means their enemies starve too. Harvests were poor."

"Makes sense." The pain came from the sick realization of just why I felt horrible. Some part of me, thankfully quiet but there and gods I hated it, wanted to be 'too late'. Wanted to be 'too late' to save Midia, because Midia used to be Nyna's bodyguard. I had been given the job, the role, because Nyna wasn't allowed to have an Archanean bodyguard and Camus used a loophole to make sure she didn't have someone of the Sable Order. It was 'mine' now, and I selfishly wanted it to stay that way. Midia was a threat to that. So, some part of me wanted to be 'too late' and let her die, just so that I didn't have any 'competition'.

This was despite knowing how devastated Nyna would be. How sad Jeorge would be. How broken Astram would be if he was still alive. This was despite knowing that others would die with her, people I didn't know, but people Nyna still liked. And that same part of me whispered that it would be 'okay' if Nyna was sad, because I could be there to reassure her, comfort her, put on a little pathetic look to get apologies and reassurances too.

I wondered why I suddenly had these thoughts, but I realized the answer instantly; my role, my place, was being threatened for the very first time, and this was my reaction. It sickened me that I had these thoughts. My parents had been selfish and manipulative, removing threats and using people. It had never occurred to me that I could be the same. I hated that I could. It made me worry if I'd done the same with the Wolf Pack, somehow. My memories said 'no', but memories were biased. Would I even admit to myself that I had?

I hated it. I hated me. I wished I hadn't survived running away from my blood family. I wished I hadn't survived Archanea's fall. I wished I hadn't survived in that Aurelisi fortress. Then I would've never figured this out, and maybe Nyna would've been better off if I…

Something brushed against my cheek, startling from my thoughts. It still took two heartbeats to figure out just what the something had been: Jeorge had kissed me. On the cheek. Randomly. While we were in the middle of the palace. Hiding from enemies.

"...The hell is that for?!" I hissed, glowering at him. My face turned pink from the realization. "You…!"

"You're no longer thinking whatever was making your frown so much," he pointed out with a cheeky grin. "So, I succeeded."

"Now you're just making me think of all the ways I want to throttle you."

"Ah, so you're thinking of me now? I'm honored."

"Jeorge, I swear…" I growled something more unflattering under my breath. "Seriously, you've been really flirtatious. I know you like cultivating a ladies' man image, but aren't there easier people to go after?"

"Well, acting like I'm too foolish to stop is certainly a good way to get people to underestimate me." He shrugged, still grinning. "Besides, I like you." His grin faded. "But if I went too far, I'm sorry. I tried shaking you, and just talking, but you were really deep in your head."

"During an operation that cannot be afforded. Yes, I understand." I sighed, mostly to hide the funny warm feeling washing through me at his simple declaration of 'I like you'. I didn't want to think of what that might mean, because if I was right, I'd just be setting myself up for pain. Jeorge was only serious about one thing: his duty to Nyna. He'd never be 'serious' about a girl, and while I'd bedded a few men in the past, I had decided a while ago that sex with no strings attached wasn't quite my idea of 'fun'. "Maybe trip me or something next time."

"I tried. You literally jumped over my foot." He grinned again at my blank look. "Yeah, imagine my reaction. All frowning at whatever you were thinking, and you still jumped over my foot."

"There's no way I jumped and didn't realize it."

"Okay, lifted your foot up and leaned to the side. Same difference." He laughed softly when I rolled my eyes. "Regardless, if you're head is in the mission now?"

"Yes, let's go." I had to rescue Midia. It was the only way I'd feel like I was 'winning' against these thoughts. No small part of me wanted to run, to escape the thoughts and responsibility for Midia, but I couldn't run. Not now. "Lead the way."

"I think I can enjoy being chased." He leaned away from my half-hearted attempt to bat his shoulder. "This way."

He and I took off down the halls, ducking into random alcoves to avoid getting caught by enemies. He led the way to the grounds easily, so easily that I wondered if he'd actually had to execute some people there, but of course, I didn't ask. That wasn't any of my business, even if I was curious as to who would move the old king off his lazy ass enough to order an execution for. Regardless, though, it proved useful, since we made it there in record time and actually had a bit of luck. Midia and the other knights, all those I vaguely recognized from that day two years ago, were actually here. There were two problems, though. The first was that the Grust soldiers were already prepared to kill them. We were running out of time, and I prayed that my woolgathering and hating myself wouldn't actually cost them their lives.

The second was that Jeorge's path actually led to a balcony or something above the execution grounds, meaning they were far below. We really were running out of time.

"So, can you shoot them from here?" I asked, peering over the railing to try and figure out anything I could do. I pulled a small mirror from my pack and used it to catch the light, flashing it up. That was our signal to Minerva, but we both had to duck quickly as one of the Grustians glanced up in confusion. "Well?"

"At this angle, and the amount of time I'll have, I can get one, two at most," he murmured. He peeked out briefly, eyes narrowed. "That might be enough, and it might not. But if I'm going to get more than that, I'll need a distraction."

"Then that's what I'll be doing. We need them shocked. It'll take Minerva a bit to get over here." I looked around, and grimaced as I realized the quickest way down. "I'm going to climb."

"Be careful." He grinned at me, and it almost hid the very real worry in his eyes. "Should I kiss your cheek again for good luck?"

"You're really just reminding me that I want to throttle you." Still, I grinned back. I hoped it hid my nerves. "Relax. We've got this."

"Now you sound like Charles."

"Well, let's hope I can live up to the words like him." I glanced down one more time, grimacing at the height and how open it was. If the soldiers looked up, even once, I was a dead target. But I… I had to do this. For Nyna. For Midia. For Jeorge. For myself. I had to. "Here I go."

I swung myself over the railing and carefully climbed down, thanking every single one of the gods above that Archanea loved their fancy architecture. It gave me lots of handholds and footholds.

"Soldiers, we know why we are here!" one of the soldiers below boomed. I glanced down, my stomach turning at the height again, and I grimaced when I realized the yeller, likely the leader, wasn't directly under me. One of the five archers was, though. I could make this work. "For treachery against the empire, these five knights shall be executed!"

I climbed down a little more, looking up to where Jeorge was. He had set up, aiming an arrow while still remaining hidden. His eyes darted over to me briefly and this time, he didn't even try to hide his worry. This was a high-stakes gamble, and the stakes were all our lives.

"And their bodies shall be given to the rebels as a warning! Let them see what happens to those who defy Dolhr!"

I continued climbing down. My foot slipped briefly and my fingers bled as I slid and caught myself. I jerked my head down, pulse hammering in my ears, but the ones below didn't seem to notice. From here, I could see the knights, including Midia, had their eyes closed. The others had their hands up behind their head, but Midia clutched the pendant she wore instead. I recognized it as the necklace Astram had given her three years ago, a year before the Fall. I'd helped him pick it out.

"Bows, positions!"

I almost cursed as the soldiers below drew their arrows, realizing that if I continued to climb as I did, there was no way I was going to make it. My breath shortened as I began to panic, trying to figure out what I could do, fighting off that voice telling me to just let them all go, put them out of my misery. A crazy idea bloomed amidst that little bit of madness, and I carefully let go of the wall with one hand to draw my sword, flipping it so that I held it backwards.

"Fire!"

I let go entirely, pushing off from the wall to add a little more speed, blade positioned down so that I could hit the soldier underneath me with the full force of my fall. The blade hit them straight in the collarbone, and they gasped and crumpled. The impact tore the blade from my hand, though my momentum also tore it from the archer's body, blood splattering everywhere. I managed to roll before I hit the ground too hard, bleeding off some of the force, and I popped to my feet, standing between the archers and the knights, ignoring the pain screaming up my arm and legs. My hand felt swollen, though it didn't look it, and I could see a bruise blooming on my wrist.

"Well, hello there," I greeted everyone, smirking to hide my winces. The stares were worth it. "Wow, the rain sure is brutal today, huh?" I made a point to look up at the cloudless sky, but that was mostly to try and see if Minerva was near. I thought I caught a glimpse of her in the distance, but I wasn't sure. "Killer, really."

"Intruders!" the leader snapped, visibly alarmed. They snarled at me, and I gave them a droll look in return. "You damn rebe-"

"I am Diana, sent here by Her Imperial Majesty, Nyna of Archanea. This is her home, and you have spent too much time lounging around in her throne." I glared in return. "She's taking back her home, and all the people within, and I will not tolerate you behaving as if this castle is yours. And neither will he."

"He?" The leader gave me a confused look, while the soldiers didn't seem to know what to make of the strange girl who fell from the sky to kill one of their own. I didn't blame them because that sentence was enough to make me go 'what the hell' and I was the girl in question! "Who the hell are you-?!" They screamed as two more soldiers went down with arrows through their necks. "The hell?!"

The remaining two soldiers had slightly better reactions. They'd actually turned and tried to retaliate. But Jeorge had already moved, likely heading for a safer path down than mine. But their 'better reaction' also gave me another slight advantage. They now didn't have arrows on the strings, and my own aches had faded enough for me to scoop up my own sword.

"Where are you aiming?" I taunted, settling myself into a defensive stance. The soldiers looked dazed. "I see the war funds went to good use, training you lot."

"There's only two of them!" the leader snapped. His angry words did nothing to hide how he was trembling, nor did they hide how he hadn't drawn his own sword. "Just deal with-"

"Who said it was just us 'two'?" Then, with the most perfect bit of dramatic timing ever, the whole area went into shadow. A glance up confirmed the sun had been eclipsed by a certain Crimson Dragoon and her wyvern. Minerva had found us. "You should've picked a place indoors to do your execution."

I jumped back as Minerva basically dropped, the kicking up a strong enough wind to actually unbalance me. Without a moment's hesitation, she leapt off her wyvern's back and splintered one soldier's skull. She punched the second one in the face, and delivered a brutal blow to their chest, so brutal that her axe actually remained stuck. The leader tried to take advantage of her lack of a weapon, but Minerva simply ducked and threw them over her shoulder, right at her wyvern, who eagerly snapped the leader's head clean off with razor-sharp fangs.

As she casually brushed herself off, and retrieved her axe with two quick jerks, I decided I was very glad she was on our side.

"Well, we pulled that off somehow," I noted lightly. I turned to the others, smiling and waving at their stupefied looks. "Right, so, sorry, but we really have to get moving, and-" A sudden hug cut me off, and it took me a moment to realize it was Midia. That really startled me. We'd been acquaintances for years, thanks to Astram, but she'd never once hugged me. "Um…"

"You made it," she whispered. "Ha… and here I thought I was going to have to apologize to Astram." She shifted back and gave me a warm smile. My guilt intensified at how happy she was. "Princess Nyna?"

"She's helping in the infirmary. She requested Jeorge and I come get you guys, and Minerva here insisted on helping too."

"Jeorge is here too?" She laughed. "I should've known by the dramatics." She peered around me at Minerva, though, eyes narrowing suspiciously. "But… ah… what are you…?"

"With all due respects, explaining my circumstances is likely going to take a bit," Minerva answered. She walked over and rested a hand on my shoulder, smiling. "But I swear, by my name and blood, that I am your ally." She gestured to her wyvern, who looked surprisingly docile given how there was literally a shredded body by its bloody claws. Wyverns liked to play, like cats. "If any of you cannot walk or run, my wyvern can give them a lift. My girls have instructions to assist."

"I can, but I'm not sure about Bishop Boah," Midia murmured. She gestured to the older man among the group, who did look a little wan. "Thomas also took an injury trying to resist…"

"The two of them can ride. I'll assist down here, especially since we'll need to find weapons for you."

"Will that truly be alright?"

"Rescue missions are part of our training, believe it or not. Macedon's mountains mean we get a lot of people caught up in rockslides." Minerva smiled slightly. "I assure you that they'll be fine."

Midia still looked hesitant, but nodded, reluctantly returning the smile. "Then, I accept on their behalf. Let's get them on, and then figure out where Jeorge went, the drama king."

"To be fair, most of the dramatics were my fault this time," I pointed out with a sigh. "I'm the one who jumped and boasted." An echoing roar, however, sent shivers down my spine, and I was reminded of Lefcandith, when we met that Bantu dragon fellow. A second roar gave me an idea of just why that was. "I think they sent a dragon on our main army, and we sent our own in retaliation."

"You have a dragon?!" Midia yelped. Her jaw actually dropped. "How!?"

"Move first, answers later. We really need to get to safety." I wondered how many dragons there were, and why they were still here. "Let's get moving!"

I had a really bad feeling about all of this. Nyna… everyone… I hoped they were safe.

We didn't bother with stealth as we raced through the paths, trying to meet up with our army. Some paths, however, were blocked, so we had to constantly look for different paths. Rubble, some fires even. Corpses. Battles we couldn't push through, but did provide ample opportunity for Midia and the two knights with her, who looked so similar that I sincerely wondered if I was seeing double, to get weapons.

As we ran, I found myself remembering the Fall. Rivers of blood streaming down the halls, with corpses acting like rocks in a stream. Fire and smoke chasing after me, no matter where we went. Shattered glass making each step had a strange chiming-crinkle sound. Broken windows letting fading light stream in.

I half expected Camus to show up out of nowhere, just as he had back then. But this was two years later, and Camus wouldn't be anywhere near. I almost wished he would be, though. Then maybe I could've dragged him to Nyna, and we could…

I stumbled a bit, a bit startled at where my thoughts had turned. Looking around the halls, the ruined castle that had been my shelter, my home, for two years, I realized something I had never considered before. I'd… actually been more than a little happy, back here. It had been a strange life of imprisonment, but I had only fond memories, really. I thought of the days where I'd make tea for Camus and Nyna while they laughed and gossiped in a parlor. I thought of watching over them as they made their trips into town. I thought of listening to Nyna make plans of how she'd make things better for everyone, because she valued my opinion, and happily tell me about what the children in town had given her. I thought of sparring with Camus in the mornings, and of how he'd confided in me the real reason why he had stayed, because he actually trusted me.

I hadn't thought about it. I never even considered I'd been happy here. Because it had been after everyone died, and we were trapped, but really, I'd been happy. It had been a mockery of what life 'should' have been like, and yet, it had been comforting. But I'd… run away from the thought, because… because I thought I…

I thought, like Camus, that I didn't really 'deserve' happiness. In his case, it was because he 'failed', and in mine, it was because I 'survived'. But he threw himself into duty to pretend it all away, to make excuses, and I threw myself into my 'role' to pretend it all away. I could almost laugh at how ridiculous it all was.

"Camus, when I next see you, we're going to have a nice glass of cider and whiskey, and laugh at how stupid we both are," I whispered. Then I froze, a bit worried that someone had overheard, but a quick look around actually showed the others had gone ahead and so, with a squeak, I dashed forward to catch up. But when I did, I found myself pausing for two reasons. One, I knew this room. It was the room that Charles and I had guarded, during the Fall, desperately trying to buy time for evacuations. It was the room where I'd last seen Charles; I had even seen his corpse because I'd thrown myself so thoroughly into my 'role' to escape. It was the room where I'd first seen Camus. It was the room where this strange adventure began, and I felt so old standing in there.

The second reason was because there was a dragon, a full sized dragon, and I thought stopping and staring at the giant dragon inside of a palace was perfectly justified.

"Why must today be 'Diana does a lot of soul searching she really didn't want to do' day?" I grumbled, skirting the edges of the room as I tried to assess the situation. But, really, all I got was 'giant dragon' and 'Jeorge, Minerva, Midia, and the double knight duo were fighting it'. "Also, why must there be a dragon? This is exactly like a cliche story." Remembering that day, I looked up and noticed there was another candelabra up there, different colored but still the type that lowered. It was even lit, though there was no reason for it. The fading light from the windows was still enough to make sure everyone could see.

It seemed so perfect. I could almost hear Charles's laugh again.

I lunged for the side, heading straight for where the chain and rope were. They were tied even tighter than before, so I glanced around, made sure that none of mine were close, and whirled, using the extra momentum to snap the rope and chain. The gamble paid off, just as it had back then, and the candelabra fell, first with a quiet creak as it unbalanced, and then a giant crack as it landed right on the dragon. No flames this time, but the splintered pieces and burning candles rolled down its face and back, and it tossed up its head to roar in pain. I had to cover my ears as the sound echoed harshly through the room, disorienting all of us, and the daze that followed meant I had no time to dodge when the dragon, either stupidly lucky or incredibly clever, whacked me hard with its tail, sending me flying.

I hit the ground with enough force to knock all the breath out of me, and I tried to roll to get my feet under me, but the momentum was too much, so I simply slid to a stop across the stone floor, scraping up my side badly in the process. I struggled to get to my feet, and had to roll out of the way as the dragon literally tried to stomp on me. It clearly didn't appreciate the candelabra hitting its head, even if it didn't do a lot of visible damage.

When I tried to get my feet under me, Minerva actually reached down and pulled me up. "Why was there a single rope tying that to the ceiling?" she asked dubiously, eyeing the ceiling. "Why? That just seems all sorts of stupid."

"It's ornamental, meaning that the candles are Very Elaborate," I answered, doing my best to put 'importance' and emphasis on the last two words. My voice was a little breathy from pain, though. "Oh, hell, I hurt." And now that I paused, pain was all I could think about.

"Yeah, that looked like it stung." She gave me a tired smile, and I noticed that some of the red on her wasn't her armor or hair. It was her own blood; her armor was cracked. I gaped when I realized her armor was actually cracked in a pattern, one that scarily resembled a bite impression. "I thank the gods that Michalis gave me Hauteclere." She brought up her axe so that I could see it, and I noticed a little glow about it. "It's like Gradivus, capable of healing me. I would be dead if not for that."

"How did we run into it?" There was a scream, and I jerked my head towards the sound, wondering if someone was dead. Based on what little I could see past the dragon, one of the knights was close. "I missed that part."

"I stepped into the room, and got greeted by teeth." She grimaced, a hand going up to where one puncture-crack showed how close she'd been to instant death. It was just left of her heart, and likely had gotten her lung, though Hauteclere healed it. "Then we simply tried to not die."

"And then I came in. And dropped a candelabra on its head and made it mad." An arrow flew for the dragon's face, but splintered off the scales across it's jaw. Midia tried to go for its stomach, but was swatted aside, like a bug. "Why did none of us just run?"

"Because that makes too much sense." Both of us just looked up as the dragon decided to loom over us, apparently annoyed that she and I had a lovely little conversation while it wanted to kill us. "Push or pull."

"Push." I only had a vague idea of what she was talking about, but if I was right, pushing was definitely the safer option. "Now."

She and I pushed off each other, using each other's strength to get us the extra boost needed to avoid the dragon's fire breath. Even with that, I barely managed to keep from being singed, the heat from the flames making my skin prickle painfully. I rolled to try to not scrape up my side, again, but the dragon stomped the ground hard, making the entire room shake, and I lost my balance to hit the ground hard. Some dust actually fell from the ceiling, and if the candelabra wasn't already down, I was almost certain it would've fallen. Some portraits on the walls did fall, frames splintering on the floor, canvases rolling in the dirt and blood.

"So, these are the little lambs the foolish inheritors send?" A voice suddenly echoed through my head, and as I pushed myself up, I saw the dragon look at us with amusement. I paled when I realized it had just been playing with us. "You're barely fit to amuse me. How pathetic you all have become. Bloated by peace, you have forgotten how to fight." The dragon bared its fangs in a sick smile, and my blood ran cold at the sight. I couldn't breathe as it focused on me. I felt like a rabbit in front of a very hungry hawk. I felt like I was twelve again, helpless and afraid as someone else did what they wanted, and treated me like I was worth nothing. "You have forgotten how to kill."

"I can guarantee you that we have not." A quiet voice cracked through my fear, but not through my daze. "Besides, even if we have, we have not forgotten how to heal." A gentle light washed through the room. I watched as my injuries healed up and actually thought to look towards the door. Two years ago, it was the door Camus had entered the room from. But now, Sister Lena stood in the doorway, glowing staff in one hand, with another in her other, hidden by her skirts. I recognized it as a Physic staff. "Humans have always been very adaptable, according to history," she continued, completely serene. "According to those same histories, dragons are prone to stagnation, and predictable tactics."

"Humans write lies to make themselves feel better!" The dragon snarled, lowering itself to glare at Lena. But she met the glare impassively. "History is always written by the victors, no matter how untrue the words are!"

"Thank you for reminding us that humans once defeated you and yours, and thus were the 'victors' who got to make up history." Lena smiled sweetly. "Do you have other words to say or shall those be your final ones? I believe the others have gained their second winds."

"Damn straight we have!" Midia snapped. She took advantage of Sister Lena's distraction to dart in close and catch the dragon behind the leg, right around the knee. The dragon roared, and buckled briefly before catching itself. "Princess Nyna has returned, and we have survived two very long years to make it this far!"

"So, we're not about to let an overgrown lizard stop us now!" Jeorge added. He managed to get a shot off and catch the dragon under the jaw. It stumbled back, and visibly tried to open its mouth, but the arrow must've gotten the actual joint, since it didn't seem quite able to do so. "Not now, and not ever!"

"...That's right," I whispered, courage thrumming through me again. I thought of the Fall, and how Camus had reacted to my nickname for Medy. "We won't fall to you. Not now, and not ever."

"You fell before!" the dragon 'shouted'. It was strange, hearing such a roar from deep within my mind, echoing on and on. Like I should be buckling from the noise, but there wasn't any sound at all. "You will fall again!"

"It was Camus the Sable who conquered this palace, at the help of a traitor!" I glared at the dragon, feeling more alive than I had in a long, long while. "This castle did not fall to dragons, but to humans! Neither you nor your melodramatic leader with a fetish for death, despair, and destruction had anything to do with it!" I brought my sword up, prepared to attack. Prepared to fight. Prepared to kill. Prepared to win. "You accomplished jack shit on your own! It was a human that revived your lord in the first place! You owe every single victory you have to humans! So, why the hell should we be afraid of you? You're nothing without our strength!"

"Can we stop with all the dramatics?" Minerva asked dryly. She actually dropped down from the ceiling and smashed her axe into the dragon's skull, creating a deep cut that ran red. It took me a second to realize she'd actually used what remained from the candelabra's chain and rope to climb up, taking advantage of our distractions. "We've got a beast to put down, do we not? Let's get to it, and then return to the others!"

The others fell on the dragon, including the silent armored knights. I got a couple of hits in, dodging out of the way of its claws, before prioritizing defending Sister Lena. She, after all, didn't have any offensive capabilities, and could only really dodge and pray if the dragon targeted her. I fell into the 'role' of protecting her with an ease that surprised me. It just… fit, in a way being a 'mercenary' never did. Perhaps it was a lingering thing from my clerical training. That need to help people. Mercenaries just did things for a profit, though some, like my family in the Wolf Pack, kept their morals. But it was still a job driven mostly by money, rather like whoring yourself out. I hadn't minded, and I had loved the people, but maybe that played a role in why I found myself so desperate to remain Nyna's guard that I had such horrible and hateful thoughts. I finally, finally, had a place that felt right, and had been unconsciously scared of being ousted.

It didn't make me feel better about any of it. But I did like seeing the path to it, since I could then figure out how to stop myself from going too far.

"So, what brings you all the way out here?" I asked Sister Lena as we actually ducked out of the room briefly to avoid getting torn apart by the dragon's claws. Our dramatic bolstering of our spirits had also served to taunt the dragon, and dragons did not like being taunted. "Maybe it wasn't so wise to bully a literal dragon."

"Oh, but it was fun!" she laughed. Only her eyes betrayed her worry, and I wondered if it was just a healer thing to appear calm at all times. "Ah, but to answer your question, Julian heard some noise and went to investigate. He saw you all fighting a dragon, and raced back to inform Prince Marth and Duke Hardin. Princess Nyna insisted that a healer go to support, and I volunteered. So, here I am."

"You are the craziest healer I've ever met." Both of us jumped back as the dragon actually tried to snap us up in its jaws, headbutting the doorframe in the process. It cracked and splintered, and it staggered back, shaking its head. "Why did it do that?"

"Yes, why would it go after the girl who taunted it the most?" She brought up her Physic staff and healed Midia as she passed by, taking the dragon's focus off of us. "We need an opening…"

"We'll get one soon." I shifted in front of her, and slashed the dragon's claw when it tried to catch us again. "I haven't seen an arrow fly in a while, so I know Jeorge is taking his time to aim."

Literally two heartbeats later, an arrow flew, and it caught the dragon square in the eye. It popped with a spew of blood, and the dragon actually shrieked, the sound high enough to my my ears ring, and jerked its head back.

"Diana," Sister Lena whispered. She brought up her other staff then, and I saw it was her Warp staff, a staff I had only seen in the supplies. "You up for it?"

"This is why you volunteered," I realized, my eyes widening. I settled my feet and nodded, bringing my sword up. "Yes, I am. Go for it."

"It'll feel weird, so bear with it. I'll get you right to it." She closed her eyes, a soft glow surrounding her and ruffling her hair and skirts, like a bit of playful wind. Light flickered under me, carving out a star shape, and then… well, 'weird' didn't even begin to describe the horrible feeling of the world itself falling away, the lightheadedness that flooded my brain, and the sudden drop of my stomach. I didn't even see a bit of light or anything once it took hold. It was just darkness and disorientation. Endless nothingness for one horribly long heartbeat.

But then it all cleared, and suddenly, I was no longer on the floor next to Sister Lena. Instead, I was in the air, on the dragon's blind side, and I knew I would only get one shot to make this count. The dragon was already turning its attention at Sister Lena.

So, I flipped to get a bit more momentum and plunged my sword into the dragon's throat. Blood gushed and spurted as I fell, using my weight and gravity to slice through the dragon's chest. It took every bit of strength I had to hang on, even with both hands, thanks the force of my own fall and how slick it all became thanks to the blood, and my teeth rattled as I passed over the ribs, the jolt almost enough to knock me away anyway.

But I got to the belly, and from there, it was 'smooth sailing', though the smell was nauseating as I hit a bunch of internal organs. I jumped away once I got to the bottom of it's bellow, and landed hard, pain ricocheting all the way up my legs to my spine. A quick test suggested I might've actually broken my ankle, but I still had enough strength in the other one to stumble back as the dragon loosed a dying screech and fell to its side. Light wrapped around it as it fell, and slowly, it actually shrank to something the size of a human, but heavily wrapped in a dark, rapidly staining cloak.

In the silence that followed, I limped over to the person, and watched as blood poured out of their chest and stomach, a smaller version of the wound I'd inflicted. I brought my sword up again, flipped it so that the blade was down, and smiled when they looked up at me in silent horror. "What was that about humans forgetting how to kill?" I asked softly. They didn't answer. "Thought so." I stabbed down, and put all the remaining dregs of strength I had into shattering their skull, ensuring that they definitely were dead.

Then I staggered, letting go of my sword as pain threatened to overwhelm me. As it clattered loudly to the ground, someone caught me and carried me to Sister Lena, who immediately went to work on healing me. Both of us giggled over how her plan had worked, even as the someone continued to support me, but it wasn't until I heard the someone make a joke at Midia's expense that I realized the 'someone' was actually Jeorge.

Maybe I wouldn't throttle him for kissing me on the cheek after all.

My slaying the dragon led to some strange bits of morale boosting. Some of it I could understand, since we had the reassurance that dragons could be killed through hard work and luck like everything else, but in the course of a single mark, I became the 'Empress's Dragonslayer' and I wasn't sure how much I liked that. It completely discounted how I'd only been able to do that because of everyone working together. Then again, people liked a 'single' hero, and I'd been the one who got the dramatic final blow, even if it had been Sister Lena's idea.

"I'm never leaving your side again," I groaned, curling up in my blankets. Nyna had insisted that I just go to bed early tonight, since even with healing, my body was aching and stiff. My ankle was actually braced, because I really had broken it. Damn near shattered it, actually. "I always get horribly injured when I do, and weird rumors popped up this time!"

"We're going to make that a standing order," Nyna grumbled, fussing over my pillows. We were actually in her rooms, the same ones we'd stayed at when we lived here, and there was something just so comforting about it. Like I was 'home' again. "Though, Lena said she was very happy to not have any of the extra attention."

"I bet." I groaned again, thinking of the others. Minerva had logically pointed out that the soldiers didn't want to celebrate her quite yet, since she had been the enemy. Midia had mused that she was too 'new' for the soldiers to want to celebrate. Jeorge had laughed at my expense before explaining that his title as a 'perfect shot' meant that people expected such weird things from him. "She only wants the extra attention of Julian. Who I owe so many drinks."

"Prince Marth, Duke Hardin, and I about had a heart attack when he told us there was a second dragon inside. We had enough troubles with the one outside, even with Bantu serving as our shield."

"How is he? I heard he took some bad injuries."

"He did, but he said that he'd be fine with rest. He might not be able to fight for us for a while, but he'll do what he can." Nyna sat on the edge of the bed and reached up to start braiding little bits of my hair. "You, however, are to rest."

"How was the infirmary?"

"Filled to the brim with the injured, dying, and dead, as always." She finished one braid and started on another. "Kris did a wonderful job guarding us, though she made a few mistakes, mostly because she'd wanted to set up traps and forgot that people needed to reach us, and she wasn't that great with triage, but she kept us safe, and mixed up medicines when she wasn't fighting. I think it gave her a confidence boost."

"I'm glad." No small part of me was pleased that she hadn't done a perfect job either. That part was pleased that I still had 'my' role, and my stomach turned again. I wished I could simply be happy Kris was feeling better. "My plan was a success, then!"

"It was." However, she paused and peered worriedly at my face. "You know… you've been oddly introspective today. Is anything wrong?" She waited, but I hesitated in answering. "Please tell me? I'd hate for you and I to have an argument."

"Well…" I sighed, and shifted a bit so that I could still lay down, but look her in the face. "It's something I've realized this morning, and it's been bothering me all day."

"What is it?"

"How dependent you and I are of each other." I paused, worried she'd protest, but instead, her expression blanked. "Yeah, I know. Me too. That's why it's been bothering me." Other things had bothered me as well, of course, but I didn't want to share how a part of me had been willing to let Midia die, just so that she wouldn't take my 'role'. A worry that proved fruitless, as Midia was more than happy to let me continue being Nyna's bodyguard. That, and my slow resolve to stop running and take my own advice. I couldn't save Camus if I didn't save myself first.

"...I suppose… it does make sense." Nyna went back to braiding bits of my hair. "For two years, it's basically been just you and me against… everything."

"The only other person was Camus." I laughed a little. "You, me, and Camus. A weird trio in some hellish ruins."

"And then we escaped to Aurelis, and everything was so different. I had to be the Empress in Exile. You had to be my shield. Everything was real, and… and I was scared of getting close to anyone." Her braiding faltered, and her eyes teared up. "We lost Camus. We might, might, get him back, but we did lose him. You nearly died. I couldn't take it. I'm scared even now. Everyone I love just seems to get hurt."

"And then there's me, running away from my own pain, and the only person who doesn't hurt to be around is you." I reached up and rubbed at her cheeks, 'removing' the tears she didn't shed anywhere but in her heart. "We both keep away from others, being polite, friendly even, but never actually letting people close."

"I can say it's to be the Empress, but no, you're right. It's just that I'm scared." She laughed hollowly. "I'm also scared of what others will say if they learn what I'm really thinking. Boah is already talking about political marriages for me, you know? To bolster Archanea's reputation."

"Do I need to put a muzzle on the old man?"

"Diana!" This time, her laughter was surprised, but bright. "No, don't do that."

"Are you sure? I will." I remembered the promise I made to her, after she'd told me of Artemis's Curse. "After all, when we see Camus again, if you love him and he loves you, I will drag him to our side, kicking and screaming if I must." I reached up to grasp the hands braiding my hair. "I'm your guard. It's my job to protect you, even from supposedly helpful advisors."

"I remember." Her sweet smile told me how much she appreciated it. "But because you must protect me from everything, that also means you wish to protect me from yourself as well."

"That's a good way to summarize it." It was actually a perfect way to summarize it. I wanted to protect her from how toxic our friendship could become. I wanted to protect both of us from that. "So…"

"So, I should make more of an effort to befriend some of the others, and let them through my wall. Like… Caeda. That girl never judges anyone." Nyna's smile softened. "And others. I can properly reconnect with Jeorge, for instance. I only really interact with him because he comes over to flirt with you."

"Meanwhile, I need to try and connect with people myself." I had little to no interactions with anyone outside of Nyna, and the few I did actively sought me out. "I can't be scared of losing them like I did the Wolf Pack, or being betrayed like with my blood parents."

"Yes, that's precisely what we need to do." She went back to braiding my hair, and I let go of her hands to curl up more under the blankets. "However, you are my best friend, and that's not changing." Nyna suddenly looked very serious, even if she poked my cheek playfully. "And I want no one else as my guard. That's still okay, right?"

"I think so." I smiled slightly, relieved. I wasn't sure if I should be, but I couldn't help it. "And I think that, maybe, it's okay if I'm the only one who knows all your secrets. Like Camus." Explaining Camus would take more time and effort than either of us were willing to put up with just yet. Maybe later, but not now. "But we can't be each other's sole reason for living. Not anymore."

"As otherwise, we'll just end up as this strange unit-person, and… and if nothing else, my authority as Empress might be compromised. To say nothing of our mental healths." She frowned a little. "It'll be strange."

"But you've got some friends back, like Jeorge and Midia. And I just have to make new ones." Easier said than done, but for her sake and mine, I would. I couldn't keep running away. I could justify it all I wanted, say it was all for Nyna's sake, but in reality, a lot of it was me trying to escape more pain. I needed to become better if I was to protect her. As I had told Kris, it wasn't strength alone that saved a person. I had to live up to my own advice. "You know I love you though, right?"

"Yes, and that's exactly why you worried. I love you too, by the way." She laughed, looking lighter than she had in a long while. Not since we escaped from Archanea and ran to Aurelis. "So, today, you're going to let me spoil you!"

"Ugh, fine." I made a face, just to make her laugh even more, and I relaxed a bit as she fussed over me.

The next few weeks, months even, were going to be awkward for us, likely. But it was needed. For both of our sakes. And it was time I looked after both of us, not just Nyna.

Notes on Athena:

A female myrmidon of unknown age, who is clearly not from around here.

A skilled swordsman, decent in battle. She holds her own well, which is good, since she likes keeping to herself.

She is very vocal and blunt, but ultimately a kindhearted person. She's weird as all hell, though, and I cannot figure out her accent at all.

Author's Notes: So the manakete from the previous map was moved to off-screen here and there is actually a manakete on the map too, though it doesn't approach until you do. I think this is the first time I've written a first person view of using the Warp staff, which is absurdly broken in FE1/11 (lets you transport to any square, much like FE5 actually). Midia and the others being set up for execution comes from the manga, though you do have the implication of it in game, thanks to the units that spawn near. Also, have lots of introspection for Diana, and some callbacks to her first two chapters. And introspection for Nyna too.

Next Chapter - Interlude, Millenium Palace