I don't know why but for some reason my head hurts like a bitch. I notice I'm looking at nothing but pure darkness again. I guess I must be asleep again so I decide to just open my eyes. I look at the familiar setting of my room in the new barracks which looks exactly like it did in the garrison with the exception of a slightly larger glass window. I look around the room for a bit and I see that Melissa is sound asleep on the floor. "I'm not even going to ask." I said to myself as I got up. I look out the window to see that the sun is starting to rise, I guess I got used to getting up this early because of my constant lance training with Frederick.

I quickly change my shirt and hurry down to the training grounds for another training session. When I arrived I notice Frederick isn't even there. "That's strange." I commented while I looked around. I search around the training grounds for approximately five minutes before I decided to go back inside. I decided to walk around the halls for a little bit because it's possible I won't be seeing the palace for a while. I notice the blood stains on the wall from last night are still there.

"Hey boss, you alright?" A voice asked right behind me. I turn around and see Gaius just standing there.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I was just thinking about something." I answered. I turn around and face the massive bloodstain again. "Its things like this that make me wonder why we do the things we do. The assassination attempt on the exalt was no exception. Why do they try to kill someone that's so kind hearted in cold blood like that? From what I learned about her she always looked out for the citizens of Ylisse and she always preferred peace over war. I can never understand how people can be the same in some aspects but different in others." I said.

"Wow, boss I never expected you to be like that considering how we met." Gaius said in shock.

"What can I say, I'm a mystery to many people in many ways." I let out a small sigh. "Anyways, I should probably head to the mess hall soon, I don't want to miss breakfast." I quipped. "You're free to join the others if you want to but, I won't force you to do so." I said before walking towards the mess hall.

Upon entering I realize that I'm currently the only actually in the mess hall right now. I guess I have some time to kill. I decided to sit down at a table and I looked through my hyperspace bag (I keep it on me at all times) to see if I can find anything of use to kill the time. I pulled out a small piece of paper that seemed to be folded like a note. I unfolded the note and examine the contents.

'To Tyler'

'It took me a while to figure out how to work this thing considering I'm still in this world. I decided to send you one last message involving a change in events you need to be aware of. I know that tomorrow you will leave for the eastern palace. Even though the Hierarch is dead you should keep your guard up just in case because I have a feeling you'll be ambushed by a different squad. Now then, for the actual change in events that should be noted. Robin is going to become sick from rare disease in three days and I need you to get Kyle to make an antidote. If you don't make an antidote, Robin will die in two weeks. You will need a Pegasus feather, Wyvern blood, and a rare herb found in my current location in Ferox. Hopefully you can find the other ingredients in time and I'll see you when you get here in a week's time.

'Sincerely, Lewis.'

'P.S. Ryan says hi and this will be my last letter before we meet.'

It looks like Lewis is keeping tabs on the situation from his location in Ferox for the time being. I wonder how he'll react when Lucina interrogates him about his knowledge of 'The Flame' and his forests. I decided to put the note in my coat pocket for the time being and look around to see if anyone else entered the room. Unfortunately, no one else has entered the room yet so I guess I'll be stuck waiting for a little bit longer. "I wonder who's making breakfast for today?" I asked myself. I decided to walk over to the schedule and look over it. It looks like Kyle is cooking for today. "Well I guess I'm going to town for breakfast." I said to myself while walking towards the door.

Kyle might be really good with many types of magic and he might be intelligent enough to put Miriel to shame every now and then but, he cannot cook for shit. He knows how to cook and he even follows the recipe exactly but somehow, he always and I mean ALWAYS finds a way to make it inedible. At least his cooking doesn't make your bowels go into overdrive after one bite. On my way to the front door I notice some of the other shepherds are walking towards the mess hall. Heh, I should warn them but I'll let them see why I decided to leave.

"HEY, WAIT UP!" I hear two voices yell behind me. I turn around and see both Melissa and Alicia run towards me. I guess they noticed Kyle's the cook this time.

"What's up?" I asked both of them.

"Do you mind if we tag along?" Melissa asked.

"Please dad? We'll pay for our own meals too." Alicia added.

"You don't need to beg, I always enjoy the company." I said. I let Alicia and Melissa walk out the door first because I had one last thing to do. "Gaius, I know you're hiding around the corner so just give up and show yourself." I said in an annoyed tone.

"Damn, how'd you know I was hiding there?" He asked while walking away from his hiding spot.

"I'm your boss, I need to keep an eye on my surroundings a lot." I answered.

"What's up with that Alicia chick calling you dad anyways?" He asked.

"It's a long story." I answered.

"Good enough for me." He replied.

"You're not going to press me for details?" I asked out of confusion.

"In my kind of business, you see a lot of weird shit." Gaius answered.

"Good point." I commented. "So, do you want to tag along with us for breakfast?" I asked him.

"Nah, I'm going to take a risk with the cook." He answered.

"Can't say I didn't try." I said before walking out the door.

Alleys of Ylisstol

(Helion's POV)

"Sir, I'm sorry I have failed my mission." I said to a holographic figure.

"Don't worry Helion, you have still provided me with valuable information. By confirming he now wields the Akatsu we now have a clear target in mind." He said.

"Why is 'he' the prime target now anyways?" I asked my master.

"The Akatsu holds a fragment of 'his' soul within its blade. If we can obtain it for ourselves we can corrupt the soul within and destroy it." He answered.

"Why is the destruction of 'his' soul so important?" I asked him.

"No one except for me knows the truth of that day all those years ago when I was still an accomplice to Aster. I can't afford to go into details Helion or else my existence is forfeit." He answered.

"Alright, I understand but I have one last question. Why do you hide your identity now of all times?" I asked him.

"I have done many horrid things over the past three centuries I was in this world and everyone has failed to defeat me. I know what I'm doing could lead to this world's end but it's absolutely necessary that we do this." He answered. Does he actually feel some guilt from the actions he made in the past?

"Sir, is there anything I need to do?" I asked him while trying to not show emotion.

"*sigh* Yes, I need you to battle them at the cliff with one of your squads. Reincarnate the soul of the Bandit known as Garrick and have him take command as a Wyvern Rider. It doesn't matter if you succeed or fail, I just need you to buy time so 'The Reaper' can get everything ready."

"Sir is that even possible? Making him a Wyvern Rider, not the reincarnation." I asked my boss.

"I looked over his files in Plegia, before he became a Bandit for that dumbass Gangrel he was a Wyvern Rider that was feared by some soldiers in many countries." He answered.

"Alright, I'll do it. I'll report the outcome of the battle when it's over." I said. I cut the connection with my boss and walked back into the shadows.

Northeastern Region of Regna Ferox

(Lewis' POV)

"That letter was a pain to send that message to him." I said to Ryan while we were eating breakfast.

"You know I could have just sent it myself or I could have ran over to Ylisse and tell him in person." He stated.

"I can't risk you getting discovered by 'The Flame' right now. You're our trump card if he decides to try and play the hero again." I replied.

"What do you mean by again?" Ryan asked me.

"In the reality I came from, he was killed by 'The Reaper' when he tried to save Emmeryn's life. The only people who could have saved him were waiting in the Midmire." I answered.

"Why were they in the Midmire?" Ryan asked in confusion.

"For someone that was once a machine you sure are an idiot." I commented before actually answering his question. "My dad in that reality told me that Tyler found a way to make a temporary dimension rift. His plan involved opening the rift at the last second to make sure Emmeryn is saved and make everyone think she died. As I have told you, the plan failed, Ylisse was destroyed by Plegia and 'The Flame' slowly caused more chaos to the world and everyone else had to retreat." I stated.

"So, the mission failed?" Ryan asked in a simple way.

"Not just that but, you were never found and everyone thought you died." I answered.

"It's a good thing you decided to help us Lewis, we might end up walking the same path of destruction." Ryan commented.

"Thanks for the compliment but, after you join with the others I plan on returning to my future. The others still need my help against 'The Flame' of that world." I stated.

"Why don't you stay behind and join us instead of helping in the shadows?" Ryan asked me.

"I could make up some bullshit on fake promises and that crap but I'm going to be honest with you. If I succeed in this mission, it's possible I might never be born in this timeline. I don't want to be seen as a sign of false hope so I'll just leave once the job is done." I answered.

"So in simple terms, you're scared you won't be accepted by the others." Ryan simplified.

"Exactly, I would prefer to be with my family in a ruined future over the possibility of being neglected for something that never was." I said.

"What if it still happened under different circumstances?" Ryan asked.

"Are you saying that you're actually going to…" I started before Ryan cut me off.

"Normally I would be against it but, I'll make an exception for this case. Not only have you grown to be a fine young man, I also see you as a good friend and I think the others will see that as well." He said with a reassuring grin.

"Thanks Ryan but, I still can't join them right now." I stated.

"I won't ask why but, I need you to promise something. Whenever you decide to join the team you have to tell them everything about yourself." He requested while holding out his right hand.

"Deal." I said while shaking his hand.

Ylisstol Palace *One and a half hours later*

(Tyler's POV)

Well that breakfast was pretty damn good. Who would have guessed that the same restaurant that served us that great supper a few days ago would serve a badass breakfast. On a more relevant note Alicia told me why Melissa was asleep on my floor. It seems like I passed out in the courtyard from exhaustion and Melissa found me there. She decided to carry me back to my room and put me on my bed but, before she could get to her own room she also collapsed from exhaustion and just slept there all night.

After we ate we just walked back to the palace and talked about other various things. We got back like five minutes ago and Alicia and Melissa decided to prepare their gear for tomorrow. If I remember correctly Ricken's parents are going to be dropping by later today. I should go see him before they arrive and see if I can offer some support. I decided to check his room first and see if he was there. Surprisingly he wasn't in there so I decided to look around the palace for him.

After what I think was an hour of searching I managed to find him sitting in the courtyard by himself. I walk over and sit next to him. "Is something wrong?" I asked him.

"I'm just nervous about my parents coming here. If they find out about last night I know they'll take me back home." He answered.

"Don't worry about it. You fought to help the other shepherds and I personally think that they should be proud of your accomplishments." I said in an attempt to calm him down.

"What accomplishments?" He asked.

"You saved my life, Kevin's life, and Maribelle's life a few days ago, I heard that you did a great job fighting those bandits when we were at the Farfort, and I saw you in battle last night, you did a great job in dealing with the assassins. If your parents don't think you can redeem your family honour now, I think something is wrong with them." I stated.

"Maybe you're right about that. I didn't like that comment about my parents though" He said while thinking.

"Sorry about that. Seriously though you have no reason to be nervous, just make sure to believe in yourself and you'll do fine." I said in an attempt to be inspirational.

"Alright, I'll give it my best shot." Ricken said as he was getting up. "In fact, I want to try this by myself."

"Are you sure about that?" I asked him.

"Yeah, if I get you to help me then I won't feel like I earned the right to stay." He answered.

"Alright, good luck." I said. Ricken ran off towards the palace doors and I decided to use the opportunity to prepare my own gear for tomorrow. I just hope Ricken's parents let him stay to fight alongside us. I walked back to my room and I didn't seem to find anyone else walking around the palace. I guess they decided to hit town or something after breakfast because they day is still pretty early.

After I got into my room and prepared all of my gear I just lied down on my bed and looked at the ceiling. My life is about to make a huge change tomorrow, from an average person in high school to a soldier in a war that decides the fate of the continent. Now that I think about it, I missed my birthday while we were in Ferox didn't I. Well I guess I'll just live with it and wait for tomorrow.

The rest of the day sped by like nothing and before I knew it nightfall was upon us. I decided to turn in early so I can be rested for the day that ends the life of the old me and brings a life of a new me.

Author's Notes: With that the chapter is done. Sorry for a small lack of updating but I decided from now on that I'll try to start updating Bi-Weekly after I have a small hiatus because of a family trip that I'll be having soon. It will be starting two weeks from now (Bad timing I know.) but once I get back I'll try my best to post a new chapter.

Now then in terms of in story events I decided to make this a 'calm before the storm' scenario and I felt like giving some humanity to 'The Flame'. While he does have plans that could destroy Ylisse, he still feels guilty about it because he's killing innocent people in order to accomplish his mission. Now than before I sign off for the chapter it's time to do the good old support updates.

Tyler & Ricken: Rank A

Tyler & Gaius: Rank C

With that I'll see you guys next time.