Terrus was kind enough to provide enough hint as to her location to allow Roy to correctly deduce it. Terrus and her Charmer were located in the Dragon's Temple, home of Jahn, a manakete with a serious grudge against humanity and a desire to see the dragons rise again.
Elena wastes no time in riding for the Dragon's Temple, company in tow. Terrus mentioned summoning Essence, and Pyres gaining Essence was the one thing Elena wanted to avoid above all else. Tellius's fate rested upon how well the following manoeuvres were performed.
Hector looked at Lyn, chatting happily with Elena at the head of the pack. Despite what she thought, Hector only wanted what was best for her. He was ignorant as to how to make it up to her. He thought back to when she liked him. It was shortly after they fought Zephiel… Lyn's charge into danger to save Zephiel… and it ended with her in pieces, with him for comfort…
"Lyn!" Hector blurted out. Everyone turned to him in shock. Lyn ignored him.
"Lyn… I… I really want to apologise… I know I screwed up. Bad. But Lyn, please… remember that night, after we saved Zephiel…" Hector said. Lyn stopped moving.
"Lyn… please… I like Florina. I want what's best for her. And I admit… I'm not exactly what's best for her. Lyn… do you really want to be ruled by hatred… again?" Hector asked. Lyn took in a deep breath.
"…Hector…" Lyn said.
"First time she said your name since that night," Florina said.
"I knew there was a reason Lilina happened… all right. Hector, I'm trusting you again. But you've still got to earn it. And if you blow this chance… I can't guarantee your head will still be on," Lyn said.
"Oh, trust me… I accept that chance," Hector said. He held out a small scroll. Lyn took it, and began studying it as the march resumed. She let out a curious noise.
"Elena!" another male voice called out. Elena turned, and saw Kalen attracting her attention.
"What, Kalen?" Elena asked.
"Elena… this is a little weird, huh? Us two knights with you two sisters?" Kalen asked.
"What on earth are you talking about?" Elena asked.
"Marriage!" Kalen said.
"Huh… Kalen, I certainly don't remember agreeing to this," Elena said.
"Uh… you did. When we got to Elibe, remember?" Kalen asked.
"…No. And I don't plan to. Seriously? You're not making this up?" Elena asked.
"Er… no?" Kalen asked.
"You're crazier than Hector. Kalen, my dedication is to the Circlet, and the Circlet only. Emilyn needs me more than I need a husband. Aderyn makes for better fighting. Penelopy and Janiyah give better hugs. And I only need one person robbing me blind, and that's always Yune," Elena said.
"Wow… I guess you don't need me, then," Kalen said.
"Our relationship will never progress past commander and soldier. Maybe friends?" Elena said.
"Well… I can tell when I'm not wanted," Kalen said.
"Not before damn time," Elena remarked, moving forward.
"I don't think he gets it," Lyn said.
"After this, you'll have to tell me how you and you-know-who did it," Elena said.
"Hector left me alone because I went to Sacae while his hands were tied. I don't think you'll have the same luck," Lyn said.
Roy opened the Dragon's Temple, and everyone filed inside carefully. Lyn stepped forward a little more than the others, looking for something to get things going.
"Huh? Is that… it is! Lyn! Over here!" Nino cried out, running up to and hugging the older girl.
"Huh? Oh, Nino! It's good to see you too. But… I need to breathe… Urk!" Lyn said, smiling still.
"Oh! Sorry… didn't mean to…" Nino said.
"It's fine, Nino. How did you even get here? It's dangerous, stay behind me!" Lyn said.
"I chose to come here," Nino said simply.
"Why in Mother Earth's name would you do that?" Lyn asked.
"Because he asked me to!" Nino said.
"Who's he?" Lyn asked.
"Can't tell you... she'd be mad at me. Really mad, actually," Nino said.
"Nino..." Lyn said, wondering what was going on.
"Uh... look, do me a favour, okay? Come with me!" Nino said.
"Nino?" Lyn asked.
"See… the thing is, Lyn, there a bunch of people invading our world! They already destroyed two others! We have to stop them here! They plan to do just what Nergal did- unleash the dragons!" Nino said.
"Nino... who told you this?" Lyn asked.
"I can't say... Look, you don't have to commit. See that swordmaster… er, cavalier there? If you kill her, then we'll be done! Her death will destroy enemy morale!" Nino said, pointing.
"I don't know... murder?" Lyn asked.
"They've destroyed worlds! This won't be murder. Was killing Nergal murder?" Nino asked. Lyn stepped back, before looking closely at Nino's hand.
"That mark… you're working with Pyres, then, aren't you?" Lyn asked.
"How did you know?" Nino asked.
"That woman you want me to kill… is my apprentice," Lyn said.
"Pardon?" Nino asked.
"Nino… I don't think you know what you're getting into," Lyn said.
"But… they…" Nino said.
"Don't you think it's very odd that they came here specifically to release the dragons? If they've destroyed two other worlds, I don't see how the dragons could be an upgrade," Lyn said.
"But… The dragons toppled Hector like he was nothing!" Nino said.
"If they destroyed worlds, then how would the dragons help them compared to what power they must already possess?" Lyn asked.
"Uh…" Nino said.
"Isn't it also a coincidence that the very goal of this group you fear so much is to set out and do the very thing you fear the most? The thing you'd give your life to stop? Think of the destruction you're causing!" Lyn said. Nino hung her head in shame.
"Nino… What would Canas think? What did your Black Fang brothers think when you made this pact?" Lyn asked.
"Th-They would do what's right…" Nino said tearfully.
"Well, Nino? What will you do?" Lyn asked.
"…Jaffar!" Nino called out. Jaffar appeared from the shadows.
"What?" Jaffar asked.
"Go with Lyn and this… Circlet. If Lyn is being truthful, report back. If she is being tricked… Cut them down and return," Nino said.
"As you wish," Jaffar said.
"Nino… Very well… Come on, Jaffar," Lyn said. Nino teleported away from the group, to a far end.
"Father… Uncle… Am I doing the right thing? I just don't know anymore…" Nino asked herself. Before Lyn could do more than reel at the surprise, an image appeared in front of the group. This figure was clad in the robe of a manakete, but Roy recognised him regardless.
"Jahn!" Roy said.
"Hartmut's descendant… Roy, was it? I can't say it's nice to see you again... but I can't say it's completely horrible, either," Jahn's illusion said.
"Jahn, why are you cooperating with the Spirits? They'll just take all of your energy and leave you for dead!" Roy said.
"But you forget, Roy… the power of the Dark Dragon is also within my own bounds. Here, in this Temple, I am able to perform a magic that will make it so that my Essence is near boundless. That's not going to be made redundant anytime soon," Jahn said.
"Oh snap," Elena said.
"This is dangerous…" Ephraim said.
"All right, this'll be a confrontation that decides Tellius's fate. Jahn's going to be summoning this Essence as we speak, so we need to get up there and stop him before he can generate enough for Pyres to level Tellius," Tormod said.
"Nino will have thought of this… my Black Fang brothers will stop you," Jaffar said.
"The Black Fang…" Ninian said.
"I am under no obligation to tell you anything about them," Jaffar said.
"But they'll be friends with Nino… if we can stop her, we stop the Black Fang," Eliwood said.
"Time is of the essence. Let's get moving!" Elena called.
Elena was the first to confront the Black Fang. The Soaring Hawk, Uhai, rode to face her. Both Uhai and Elena had their bow at the ready.
"I see you are of the Sacae… and yet… you do not look Sacae. Etrurian, maybe… no, Lycian…" Uhai said.
"I hail from the far country of Crimea. There's no reason for you to have heard of it. I have learned bowmanship and fine swordplay from Lady Lyn, of the Sacae, however… make of that as you will," Elena said.
"Then… let us fight," Uhai said. His arrow sung quickly, and Elena dodged, the arrow cutting her hair very slightly. Elena growled, and spun an arrow onto her bow, firing at Uhai. Uhai moved with the speed of a soaring hawk, and Elena growled. She focused, and fired five arrows at once, aiming more for the manakete behind Uhai than Uhai himself. Uhai was fine dodging them, but Elena used the opportunity to come running and drawing the Sol Katti. Uhai smiled, drawing his own sword. Elena and Uhai began bringing the swords to each other, striking and parrying effectively.
"You're good…" Elena said.
"I learned from the best teacher, experience. I will not deny the influence Thu's readings have had upon you, though," Uhai said. Uhai leaped into the air, and Elena realised her opportunity. She shifted slightly, moving to stand nearer the edge of the Temple. Uhai landed next to her, missing her by a hair, but his front horse hooves were landed on uncertain terrain. Elena took in a breath, before nudging the horse forward slighty, pushing Uhai and his mount down into whatever hades was in the Dragon Temple.
"When assassins are in play, you just have to fight dirty," Elena said.
Yune found herself stopped moving, somehow. She looked around curiously, as a small shadow shot around her, before stopping in front of her. It was a thief, or maybe an assassin. Like her, wearing little, always ready to move. His scarred face smiled at her.
"Who would you be, thief?" Yune asked.
"Like you're one to talk. I'm called Legault, the Hurricane," Legault said.
"Yune, Princess of Daein," Yune said.
"A princess? Yeah, right. I've seen rebellious princesses, but I don't see thieves among them," Legault said.
"You're just not looking in the right places," Yune said, darting forward, striking with her dagger. Legault's dagger caught it, and pushed it away.
"You really should not make it so obvious you're planning your strike, princess," Legault said.
"I'm self-taught, what do you expect? My father wasn't exactly one of the best thieves, either," Yune said.
"Really? Then maybe you'd be interested in joining the Black Fang?" Legault asked. He lunged, aiming for Yune's not-so-vital organs. Yune blocked, disarmed Legault, and dropped him to the ground.
"Second Law of Kunai: Never let your opponent keep their weapon," Yune said, driving Legault's dagger into his chest. Legault crumbed to dust.
"And I didn't appreciate the almost-being-killed during your peace offering. It wasn't very nice," she added.
Livia was trying to weave and fly her way to Jahn, trying to stop him before it was too late. She found her wings facing a gust of wind, and she turned in shock. A mage knight was staring her down, a calculating look in her eyes.
"I am Ursula, the Blue Crow," the mage knight said.
"Livia, Princess of Crimea. So you are of the raven tribe?" Livia asked.
"Raven… tribe? No, I am not of Sacae. I am of the Black Fang," Ursula said.
"Right… you guys don't have laguz. Besides, laguz were never known for magical prowess… well, herons, maybe," Livia said. She focused, and summoned the twin blades Sol and Luna. She launched Luna at Ursula, holding it to approach Ursula. She started spinning Sol more and more rapidly, as Luna brought Ursula to a corner. Ursula hurriedly realised what was happening, and prepared another bolt of wind. Both Sol and Luna were released, Luna striking Ursula and dropping her, the wind hitting Livia for a bit, before Sol finished her off. Seeing that helped Livia's Renewal gem work.
"…I always underestimate the strength of Crimean blood," Livia remarked.
Aderyn spotted Nino next to a dragon, and realised that was where they needed to be. She charged, to be stopped by a flying tomahawk. Aderyn watched the axe return to the hands of a hero.
"Who are you?" Aderyn asked.
"I am the Mad Dog of the Black Fang, bird. And that's my little sis you're threatening there!" Linus said.
"Your sister is working with Pyres! I think that's cause for concern," Aderyn said. Linus drew a massive blade, and charged forward. Aderyn dodged, and clawed at Linus's face. Linus slashed with his sword, pushing Aderyn away with a wound to her chest, but she had struck his eyes. Linus hurriedly bandaged them, and switched to his axe. He stomped with both feet, before spinning around in a circle. With a blood-crazed roar, Linus came barrelling towards Aderyn, axe coming up with a *whoomp**whoomp**whoomp* noise. Aderyn cawed, and struck the axe, sending it off balance. She let out a burst of light, before piercing right through Linus, destroying him.
"I'll at least say your little stunt was a good way to compensate for blindness," Aderyn remarked.
Janiyah was prowling through the Temple, and like Aderyn, found Nino and the dragon. She hissed, before pouncing. A sleek sword caught her mid-pounce, sending her falling to crash into a wall. Janiyah shook herself, and turned to look at her attacker. A swordmaster approached her.
"You are a fierce cat, all right… I am the White Wolf of the Black Fang," Lloyd said, approaching.
"Nailah, then? Beast on beast… let's see how I go," Janiyah said. She began pouncing, bounding off Lloyd every time he looked like he was going to strike. Lloyd got the idea to thrust, which Janiyah quickly jumped on and charged in for the bite. Lloyd growled, and focused. He pulled back, creating five copies of himself, and Janiyah realised what was about to happen. She focused, and struck one of Lloyd's first copies. She flipped from the attack, and struck a second on the attack. Continuing in this fashion, she managed to arrive into a position where Lloyd was pinned under her.
"Ferocious…" Lloyd said.
"I am Janiyah, daughter of the Commander of Donaregin, and future warrior of Gallia. I'd hope I'd be a little ferocious when it comes to dealing with my enemies," Janiyah said. She bit Lloyd's neck, finishing him off.
"Ells? Ells?" Emilyn asked, walking through the temple in fear. Elena had gone off without her, and for some reason she couldn't quite explain, she hated that. She knew it was smart for Elena to lead the charge and her to stay behind with her magic, but…
"Emilyn Laguz?" a deep voice asked. Emilyn turned, and spotted a massive warrior approaching her.
"No… Emilyn Misaha Altina…" Emilyn said.
"You are… more shy than I had been taught. However, you must still be defeated… as the commander of the Black Fang, it is my duty to defeat you, daughter of Tormod," the warrior said. Brendan Reed hefted up his axe, and cleaved down. Emilyn jumped back, her mind beginning to race. What was Brendan talking about? Brendan's next axe stroke catching the clips of her robes, causing them to slip off, enticing Emilyn back into action. She cast a massive Cymbeline, using the flames as more of a distraction than a true attack. She pulled her robes back on, and tied a few makeshift knots to keep them in place. Emilyn looked back up, and cast a second Cymbeline. While the fireball was forming, Brendan spun his axe around, cleaving down. The Cymbeline caught the blade, melting it, but Emilyn didn't dodge the remaining shaft and blunted metal. Emilyn dropped to the ground, watching as Brendan approached her. A whirr of an arrow sounded, and Brendan's face contorted. He dropped to the ground, and Lyn relaxed her arrow.
"Lyn!" Emilyn cried out.
"I know how much Elena looks out for you… stay here, I'll go get Roy or someone to keep you safe while we handle the big threat. As much as I'm willing to bet flashing the enemy might be a valid tactic… I'd rather you didn't, at least in front of Elena," Lyn said.
"I see… thanks, Lyn," Emilyn said.
"Now it's my turn to make sure Elena doesn't wind up getting herself killed," Lyn said, turning to rush.
"How?" Emilyn asked. Lyn took in a deep breath.
"Now that I've made amends with Hector… I think we should be able to…" Lyn started, before stopping herself. She rushed forward, leaving Emilyn looking lost and confused.
"I've done my work… They check out," Jaffar said, approaching Nino.
"Ah… Thank you, Jaffar," Nino said. Jaffar stared.
"Yes, Jaffar?" Nino asked.
"Now what?" Jaffar asked.
"You are free to do as you wish… I… will be joining Lyn and her friends," Nino said.
"Then that is where I will go…" Jaffar said.
"Jaffar… Thank you… URGH! ARGH! GWAGH!" Nino said, dropping to the ground, clenching her hands.
"Nino!" Jaffar cried out.
I think not… Pyres said.
"Urgh… wha-what are you…. Urgh!" Nino said.
"Pyres… you forget our role… Your emotions cloud your judgement… I shall fix this…" another voice from within Nino said.
"Haah… No! I refuse…. Urgh… to fight my friends," Nino said.
How very noble of you, Nino. Terrus, I have no such loyalties… you will destroy them… Pyres said.
"Urgh… J-J-Jaffar…" Nino said.
"Nino? Hold on!" Jaffar said.
"Y-Your…. final target… is... me…" Nino said, shaking her head sadly. Jaffar stepped back, in horror.
"I see now… that I w-was a fool… I don't want to… hurt my friends… So please… Jaffar… stop… me…" Nino said.
"Nino…" Jaffar said, looking at his companion. Nino's eyes blinked, and turned a deep brown colour.
"Too late… meat…" Nino's voice, merged with that of Terrus. She got to her feet, clapped her hands, and created a small Terra spell. Jaffar avoided it with a flip.
"Yes! You cannot bring yourself to right me!" Nino said.
"Wrong! I am the angel of death! Once given a target, they don't see another dawn… You will be no different…" Jaffar said, drawing his knife.
Aderyn and Janiyah, their encounters with Lloyd and Linus complete, arrived to face Jahn. He was standing at the end of a massive chamber, his legs entwined in the ground. Statues were creating manaketes. One by one, the manaketes slowly and confidently went to stand by Jahn, before having their Essence drained completely, sucked into the Fire Emblem. An ingenious bid for Essence, indeed.
"This ends now, dragon!" Aderyn said.
"…So, I'm being threatened by a jungle cat and an overgrown bird…" Jahn said.
"We will defeat you, dragon," Janiyah said.
"…Not any time this century!" Jahn said. He reared back, and launched a stream of fire forward, sending Aderyn soaring skyward, Janiyah in her grip. Aderyn focused, and dropped Janiyah on top of Jahn, before diving in and scratching herself. Aderyn got Jahn's eyes, remembering the tactic worked better against these false beings, while Janiyah had gone for his wings and neck. Jahn's back wounds restored themselves, fires licking around his body with a tremendous might. Jahn blinked, and a pair of golden eyes reappeared.
"This… can't be good," Aderyn said.
"I have the strength of every War Dragon ever created! I'm not on my way out thanks to beasts!" Jahn roared, swatting the two laguz aside. Aderyn struck the wall, and reverted. Janiyah could hold her form, but there was a distinct shudder. Aderyn looked up, to notice Jahn rearing back… and…
"I give you credit, meat… You are swift, and your gift with a blade is admirable. But you lack one thing. You feel pain, physical and mental… You cannot bring yourself to harm me, you know your friend is dead and you still hesitate," Nino said, having just completed a magical barrage with all six anima types, as well as a dark spell that seemed to summon the spirit of a fanged beast. Jaffar paused, neither noticing nor caring about said barrage.
"Nothing to say? We'll see soon how high your tolerance of pain is physically and mentally, as with this body I will tear you apart!" Nino said.
"No… I have…. been given a target… I have never faltered… I will not do so now… and allow Nino such anguish of what you will force upon her. I will mourn this for all my days… Prepare yourself, monster!" Jaffar said.
A shriek.
Aderyn was looking up, Jahn's fiery doom set upon her. A bird's shriek was not what she was expecting.
Though one with the swiftness of Zard's wings should never be discounted in the hour of need.
Zard dived in and out, his talons clawing at Jahn, distracting him. His tail was sweeping, his breath was launching, but Zard's speed remained an excellent tool in dodging it. Horse, armour and light feet echoed, as three more figures appeared. Zard flew back, reverting to base form, to help Aderyn up, as the three figures raised their respective swords.
"For Roy!" Eliwood cried out, swinging Durandal about, and jumping in the air. He pierced down on Jahn, before striking back up.
"For Lilina!" Hector added, spinning his sword like a top, before jumping and crashing into Jahn.
"…FOR ELENA!" Lyn finished, dividing into five, and striking Jahn several times over. Lyn reappeared normally, looking away from Jahn as he descended, the manakete-creating statutes breaking. Hector reached up to his face, feeling a new scar.
"Aderyn…" Zard said.
"Zard, that was awesome, and you saved our butts. Thanks," Aderyn said.
"You're welcome… Aderyn… I was wondering…" Zard said, a look on his face Aderyn recognised all too well. She had spotted it on Wright's face not that long ago.
"You're jumping on the bandwagon and proposing, aren't you?" Aderyn asked. Zard's hands flew to his mouth, and he turned a shade of crimson Aderyn didn't even think Emilyn could do. Aderyn just laughed, and took one of Zard's feathers to tuck behind her ear.
"I like you. You're Penelopy's brother, and I trust you. I'm certain that you would've born me at least one hawk regardless. But if you think you're going to be my husband, you're going to have to do a lot better than that," Aderyn said.
"…I take it we'll leave it at that?" Zard squeaked out.
"Grargh! Y-You! How could this… happen? It's written all over this meat's pathetic mind you couldn't bear to see any… harm befall her… much less… be the hand that… deals it…" Nino, or more likely Terrus, said, on bended knee.
"If this is what it takes… To fulfil my contract… and Nino's last wish… then…. then so be it. If she truly is dead as you say, then you are nothing more than an interloper that needs to be removed. Thrice Nino has saved me… And now I shall save her from you," Jaffar said. He spun his daggers around, before disappearing. A bright light appeared in Nino's eyes, and Jaffar stepped back, a lethal wound in Nino's body.
"No… this… can't be… Pyres! You wouldn't dare! You wou-" Nino said, before a red light appeared in her back.
"Argh! Jaffar?" Nino said, clearly speaking with Nino's voice.
"I am here, Nino… I-" Jaffar said.
"It's fine... you had…. no other choice…. Just promise me… Look after the little ones..." Nino said.
"I will, Nino… I promise…" Jaffar said.
"Good… I'm… so tired…" Nino said, before the colour had completely drained form her body. Jaffar stared in silence, his face impassive, but his eyes tortured. He looked up, to see Nino's colour, as well as some odd kind of soil, absorbed into the Fire Emblem.
Well… as fun as causing inner turmoil amongst my enemies is, this Essence is sure to be enough for me to taste my goal. I won't need much more Essence to finally level Tellius! Pyres' voice said. Jaffar said nothing. Janiyah, Aderyn and Zard nearby, however, were more vocal in their horror. Pyres vanished, and the three turned to each other.
"We've no other option," Janiyah said.
"We must return home," Zard said.
"Return, and crush him once and for all. He is too close for comfort," Aderyn said.
Everyone emerged from the Dragon Temple, relief and terror evident in their faces. Elena looked about, and spotted Jaffar trying to make a quiet escape.
"So where do you think you're going, mister?" Elena asked.
"Away… That's all you need to know…" Jaffar said.
"I disagree," Elena said, tightening her grip on the Sol Katti, and pulling it out from its sheath slightly.
"Think what you want. It is of no concern to me anymore. I do not wish to fight you… however, you will not stop me," Jaffar said.
"Yeah? Why's that?" Elena asked, blade drawn.
"I made a promise. I intend to make good on it," Jaffar stated.
"…Copper for your thoughts?" Elena asked thoughtfully.
"Pardon?" Jaffar asked, confused.
"What's going through your mind right now? I've seen people cut down their best friend like this before… I'm sorry, it just doesn't click…" Elena said.
"I did what I was asked… and it will haunt me forever more. You wish to know what I am thinking? Here it is… I keep replaying the moment in my mind… Wondering… what I could have done differently could I have…" Jaffar said. A single tear was in his eyes.
"…Thank you. I think I understand now…" Elena said.
"No, you don't. Not until you are forced to kill the person you love most… Not until you've watched their life slowly bleed away, and know in your heart you were the one to cause it. And, until that time, you do not know my burden. You. Do not. Know. Pray you don't," Jaffar said, staring beyond Elena. Elena turned, and saw the Circlet smiling amongst each other, as Yune restitched Emilyn's robe.
"I think I have the wrong guy… You're talking way too much to be the Jaffar I've heard about…" Elena said, smiling.
"…Keep hold on those you hold dear… Without them… there is nothing left…" Jaffar said.
"So where are you going? Really?" Elena asked.
"To keep my promise. Elena Gawain… If I recall correctly, this whole debacle is because of Tormod Laguz's broken promise," Jaffar said.
"Excuse me? Are you about to go defending that fireball?" Elena asked.
"No. I am merely stating a fact. If Tormod had not broken his promise… would Nino still be alive… Can you think of others that would still be alive? I ask you not to question your motives… but to question where the blame falls," Jaffar said, before leaving. As soon as a shadow was cast upon him, he vanished.
"Grr… who does he think he is? Huh? What's this? Oh… He dropped this…" Elena said, scooping down to pick up a small drawing. It depicted Nino and Jaffar, both holding two small, alike children.
"Oh… Could those be…. Oh..." Elena said. She pocketed the drawing, and turned around. Far into the distance, somewhere, was Tellius. Her home.
And it was time for her to return.