Author's Notes: Sorry for the lack of updates. I've been in a bit of a slump lately, and although No Such Thing as Fate is fully written, the slump happened to include any editing. But I'm trying to shake it off. Thank you for your patience.


When he had first seen Niren, Yuri had thought for sure that his eyes were playing tricks on him, but Repede's nose couldn't be fooled. He had been relieved and surprised to say the least. His knees had threatened to give way when he had laid his eyes on him, and his heart had raced for the joy of it. Something different than the heat of battle tempered adrenaline had flooded him and it was a welcome change. It wasn't every day that he was this happy and this energetic and it took every shred of his will to keep from hugging the man he believed dead.

Rita led him impatiently outside, spinning around to corner him as soon as he made it out of the bar door. Her fists were planted firmly on her girlish hips, and she was tapping one foot like an angry mother. "You."

"What did I do this time?" He smiled crookedly. He was really much too excited to care if he had somehow offended her.

"Estelle is dead set on wandering out into the desert to find Phaeroh and she has no idea how dangerous and stupid that is. You or Flynn need to talk some sense into her. She's putting her life at risk like this. The idea of going after something that tried to attack her is reckless and idiotic!"

"Wow. It sounds like you're concerned about her well-being."

The mage flushed. "I-It's nothing like that! We just don't have time to go tromping through the desert."

"All right. I'll go talk to her. Any idea where she ran off to?"

"She was down by the docks."

"Okay."

Rita walked swiftly back to the inn and Yuri made his way down the steps and out of the marble Coliseum. He'd rather go back and enjoy a few more ales with Niren, but if it was pressing enough for Rita to seek him out, he would go. He rounded out of the market and toward the docks. It didn't take long before he spotted her by the Fiertia. He stepped up beside her, following the path of her gaze upward.

"So you want to go look for Phaeroh."

"Yes. Judith mentioned that he lives in the Sands of Kogorh, west of here, past the Mother Cados Mountains." She turned her head to look at him. "I know that we're on an important mission, but I need to know why Phaeroh said what he did."

"'Child of the Full Moon, you are an insidious poison of this world that must be purged...'"

"This is something that I'm compelled to do. So I was thinking of going while the rest of you wait to see Belius."

"By yourself?"

"There's no reason for me to endanger all of you for my own whims."

"You know Flynn would never agree to let you go alone."

"I know, but this is something that I feel like I have to do."

"If it's what you want to do, that's fine. But at least let me go with you."

"Yuri, I couldn't-"

"I've got two weeks to burn before I can see the Duce. And it sounds like fun." He looked over at her with a smirk. "But before we decide anything, let's talk to everyone and see what they want to do. Okay?"

"Okay."

For a few long moments, they stood there in silence, eyes cast to the heavens. Always his gaze drifted to Brave Vesperia, no matter what other shining stars and constellations this hemisphere of the world might show. The stars were not the same here as in Dahngrest, with Brave Vesperia being the one exception.

"Do you know the story of Brave Vesperia?" The question seemed to come out of nowhere, but he caught Estelle watching him out of the corner of his eye.

"Why?"

"I notice that you look up at it a lot."

"A guy can't stargaze?"

"That's not what I mean. You always just seem so solitary and thoughtful. I just never thought of you as the kind to stop moving long enough to stargaze."

"What's the story of Brave Vesperia?" He had heard it, but it had been many years, long before his migration to Dahngrest. He had only been a child and now he couldn't even remember who had told him the story.

"Once upon a time, a great cataclysm threatened our world, and all who stood against it were felled by its dark might. When all hope for humanity seemed lost and Terca Lumireis was nearly plunged into ruin, a pair of siblings, a girl and a boy, appeared. With their strength, they drove off the calamity and together saved our world. The sister they called Child of the Full Moon and her brother they called Brave Vesperia. When it was all said and done, the Child of the Full Moon stayed on Terca Lumireis to help the people, but her brother Brave Vesperia ascended to the skies to watch over the world. The end."

"You're a pretty good storyteller."

"Do you think so?"

"Yeah." He turned back toward the town, eager once more to get back and see his friend. "Well, I'm heading back. I'll be out late tonight, so don't wait up for me. And don't stay out too late, okay? Rita's worried about you."

"Okay, Yuri. Thank you." She paused. "Oh wait. I have something for you."

"For me?"

She dug around in her skirt pockets for a moment, and then pulled out a trinket. It was a brooch in the shape of a pink, six petal flower made of shell. It was trimmed in gold and had three strands of pearls dangling from it. She presented it to him. "I want you to have this as thanks for everything you've done for us."

He picked it up tenderly. It was an item of no small value. This belonged to a noblewoman, so it was no surprise that she had something like this. "What's this?"

"It was my mother's. She gave it to me when I was little. And now I want you to have it."

"I can't take something like this." He dropped it back into her hand and turned away. If it was something that she still carried, then it must have been important to her and he had no intention of letting her just give it to him for the trivial things that he had done in the name of compromise.

"But, Yuri-"

"No way. Now get to bed. If we're going to head out into the desert, we'll need our rest."

"Thank you."

He waved her off and headed back up toward the Coliseum. He knew that if he told Flynn about Estelle and her desire to head into the desert to find Phaeroh, he would have a fit and try to keep her from making her own choices. Yuri didn't want that. He enjoyed watching the little princess trying to find her path. Someone who he had initially viewed as helpless was quickly growing stronger and more confident. There was something wonderful about witnessing such a thing. If he could only get Flynn to let her spread her wings a little more, he might be impressed, too.

It was a nice, brisk walk and he had to keep himself from taking the steps more than two at a time. The warmth and din of the bar smothered him as he entered, but he didn't mind. He moved back to the table where Niren still sat with Flynn, who seemed to be a little red in the face. The bar maids had come by with a small feast of food and his stomach began to serenade him, ready to be filled.

As soon as he sat, Flynn stood, excusing himself, saying that he was heading to the inn, and hurried out of the bar.

"What's with him?"

"Probably just feeling a little ill." Niren shrugged and slid him another full tankard.

Yuri slumped in his seat, pouring the better half of his drink down his throat before issuing a sigh that was both relieved and exasperated. He was free of Flynn's ever vigilant gaze and he could speak more openly. He propped his head up with his arm and groaned.

Niren chuckled.

"What? He's so stodgy. If anyone in this world knows how to be a stubborn ass, it's Flynn."

"Kinda like someone else I know."

"Oh no. We're nothing alike."

"He hasn't lived the same life you have. He doesn't bear the same burdens that you do, but he bears burdens of his own. Give him a break. It takes time to adjust once you start to see the world for what it really is."

"I'll just be glad when I can get away from him. So what brings you to Nordopolica?"

"Here to see the fights mostly, and maybe head up north to Yurzorea. Rumor has it there's a real high class resort up there. Figure I'd take it easy for a while." He paused, as if considering something. "I've been meaning to ask. What's got you helping out an Imperial?"

Yuri shrugged. "It's a really long story, but basically I got arrested in Zaphias the night before Alexei set in motion whatever plan he's got rolling around in his head. When Estelle escaped with Flynn's help, they brought me along as, what I assumed would be, a bargaining chip for the Union's aid in retaking the capital. Since then, I've just sort of gone with the flow. I guess I'm helping them because I know that whatever Alexei's planning, it won't stop with the Empire. Dahngrest will easily be next on his list, and I doubt it would stop there either. Probably doesn't help that I'm technically Flynn's prisoner."

"What got you arrested in Zaphias?"

"I was going after a blastia thief, so they arrested me for assaulting a noble and then they found out I was a member of the Union. You better believe they had a field day interrogating me, thinking that I was some sort of spy." When he talked about that, it felt like some distant memory now. They had been on the road for weeks between Zaphias and Nordopolica, but he stopped himself quite forcefully before he let his mind wander down the roads that would rip the thin veil of feeling like a decent human being away from him. He had time for all of that later. "You know how I feel about the Empire itself, but there's no reason that I should let its people suffer at the hands of their corrupt leaders."

"I understand, kid."

"But all that aside, I'm itching for a good fight." He hadn't had a challenge in a long while now.

The former captain let out a much heartier laugh this time. "So, you joining the tournament tomorrow?"

"I hadn't really planned on it. I guess it depends on where we're going next, because I can't get in to see Belius until the night of the new moon." That was still an annoying obstacle hindering his progress. Once they finished here and Estelle got the help that she and Flynn needed to retake Zaphias, he could go home.

"I heard a really strong fighter entered today, and he's already rising through the brackets to face the current champ, Kratos. He's supposed to be pretty good with a pair of daggers, and ruthless to boot."

Yuri had a feeling he knew whom Niren was talking about, but what would that person be doing here? Either way, he was going to find out. "Sounds interesting. I may have to have a go at this newcomer."

"I'm sure he'd be no match for you." Niren stood and patted him on the back. "Well, kid, it's been good seeing ya, but I'm beat. I'll be rooting for you tomorrow."

"Thanks."

Repede's tail was wagging, thudding against the floor as he sat up and received a stouthearted ruffle on his head, and Yuri did, too. "I'm proud of you boys."

"Take it easy out there, old man." He tried not to let the strain of his voice show through but with everything good that he was feeling, it was really hard to keep a straight face and a calm demeanor. His heart was ready to burst even with their parting over the simple fact that Niren was alive and safe. Repede was in a similar mood, but with his bodily reflexes, less able to hide it. He hopped up on his hind legs and put his huge paws on Niren's shoulder to lick his face.

"Don't worry. This old man plans to take it easy for the rest of his days." He ruffled their heads affectionately again, dropped the money on the table to more than cover their dinner and drinks, and strode out.

Yuri finished off his drink and another plate of food before seeing himself out with Repede in tow. Bellies full and and hearts warmed, they wandered out into the Coliseum proper. He wasn't quite ready for bed yet, not with the rush that his body was experiencing, so they walked the rounded halls once more to the large set of doors that led to the room where they met Natz.

He could overhear a conversation as he entered and headed to the registration tables at the bottom of the stairs. One of the voices belonged to Natz, Belius's guard who had turned them away earlier. The other voice was so deep that it was nearly unmistakable. He took a few steps up and spotted the man with the long white hair that they had met at Ehmead Hill. According to Flynn, this man was Duke Pantarei, a hero of the Great War, but what was he doing here?

"I'm sorry, but the Duce will see no one except on the night of the new moon."

"I see. I will return then." Duke turned and moved down the steps in a slow, fluid motion. Yuri could see beneath his fair and slender exterior the muscle and grace of a fighter. He stopped when he noticed Yuri looking up at him, but continued his descent after a few seconds.

"Must be fate to keep meeting like this."

"There is no such thing as fate."

Yuri shrugged. "Maybe not, but it still makes me wonder why you're here."

Duke was silent for a moment, watching Yuri closely with his cold red eyes. "I have merely come to see the ancient master of this city."

"You mean Belius? Are you here for the Empire or something?"

Those eyes narrowed. "Nothing as horrendous as that. The matter is none of your concern."

"Don't tell me you're out to save the world or something." The tone he took was a little more mocking than he had intended, but he didn't apologize.

He received silence as his answer as the man walked away and disappeared into the halls of the Coliseum. Repede whined at him a little.

"What's with that guy?" He shook his head and dispelled that bunch of thoughts before walking up to the main registration desk. He was greeted by a cheerful young woman in a cream and pink dress, seated there with two other girls who could have easily been her sisters. "I want to register for tomorrow's tournament if it's not too late."

"You're in luck. We have just one spot open." She smiled. It seemed over exaggerated and fake like she was forced to wear it every day. "Everyone wants to take a run against the new challenger. He's really tough. You wouldn't believe how many guys they dragged out of there on stretchers today after fighting him."

"Yeah, I've heard that he's pretty good, but that just makes it more exciting."

"I agree!" She opened a black book that was set in front of her and turned it to him. From the ink well on the table, she pulled a ragged old quill pen tipped with black ink. "Just sign here and you'll be entered for tomorrow's bout. If you manage to beat the new challenger, you'll get to face the champ Kratos."

"Sounds great." He scribbled his name on the line and dropped the pen back in the bottle of ink.

"All right, Mr. Lowell, your first match is at noon, so be here and ready at least an hour beforehand. And good luck!"

"Thanks." If the new challenger was who he suspected, he might just need that luck. In the meantime, he had some preparing to do. Hopefully the blacksmith would be finished with his sword early in the morning so that Yuri could be ready long before his first bout.

He and Repede headed back to the inn and sneaked quietly into the room with the others who were all sound asleep to get a little shut eye before the excitement the next day would bring.