A/N: Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all! The war against Nergal has finally been won, and there's not much left to go!

Chapter 36 – One Year Later

Lloyd and Linus quietly walked past the gates of Castle Ostia into the main courtyard. It had been a year since they had parted ways with the Lycian lords, and they were looking forward to having a final reunion with them before the work of rebuilding the Black Fang went fully underway.

"Pretty impressive place," Linus commented as he approached the castle guard. "I'd never thought at the end of our journey we'd end up here of all places."

"It's not too flamboyant or extravagant," Lloyd nodded with approval. "I can tell that the Ostian nobility is very different from Bern's, in a good way I think."

"Lloyd and Linus Reed?" a soldier at the front door to the palace called out to them. He approached them a bit warily, their reputations having preceded them.

"Yes," Lloyd nodded. "Lord Hector asked us to meet with him at this time."

A voice spoke up from behind the soldier, "I can confirm that."

The soldier turned to see Lord Oswin, fully clad in his General's armor, smiling at the two Reed brothers. "Don't worry, Riley, they are friends."

Riley relaxed noticeably. If the Commander of Ostia himself vouched for them, surely they couldn't be that bad. Already, Oswin was turning his attention to Lloyd and Linus. "Lord Hector is waiting for you in his chambers," he directed them. "You'll find them up the stairs and to the left. You'll find them easily."

"Thank you, Lord Oswin," Lloyd thanked him. He and Linus quickly went up the stairs and moved towards the left. Sure enough, they could hear Hector's voice, along with Eliwood's and Ninian's, from one of the rooms with double doors.

Hector looked up and grinned as he saw them enter. "Lloyd and Linus! Good to see you again!"

Linus couldn't help but laugh at Hector's attire. Hector saw the mirth in his eyes and grunted in annoyance. "Formal dress doesn't suit me at all!" he complained. "I'd much rather get on with my ascension ceremony in my good old armor."

"But Hector!" Eliwood burst out laughing. "You need to look the part of the marquess if you're going to be one!"

Hector grumbled again much to everyone's amusement. "Oh, don't feel so down, Hector," Eliwood finally decided to console his friend. "I don't feel that much more comfortable either."

There was a knock on the door. "I'm not late, am I?" Dusk asked as he walked into the chamber.

"Dusk!" Everyone greeted the sorcerer cheerfully as he made his entrance. "How've you been?" Lloyd asked him. "We haven't seen you in almost a year!"

"I know," Dusk looked a bit embarrassed. "I had some affairs to take care of over the year. And I have more to apologize for. After your ceremonies are over, I'm going to have to disappear again. And it is very likely that you won't see me for a very long time."

"What?" Ninian exclaimed in shock. "You're…you're leaving?"

"I'm sorry," Dusk apologized sadly. "But I need to return to Arcadia. I came to Lycia because I needed to help humanity in its war against great evil, and I have completed that task. I haven't seen my homeland for a very long time, and after I come back…I need to investigate. The darkness that will soon rise in Bern…I will do all I can to stop or at least hinder it."

There was an awkward silence before Eliwood spoke up. "I understand, Dusk. Wherever you go, I'm sure we all wish you the best of luck."

Everyone nodded their agreement. Suddenly, Hector spoke up. "Let's not worry about that today. This is supposed to be a moment of celebration, after all!"

"Indeed," Dusk let out a quiet chuckle. "Your ascension ceremonies are tomorrow, after all! Seems a bit hasty to have both your and Eliwood's ceremonies scheduled so closely, though."

Hector rolled his eyes. "Tell me about it," he muttered. He suddenly looked up at Lloyd and Linus. "I just remembered!" he suddenly exclaimed. "You know the bounty on the Black Fang was removed one year ago, correct?"

Linus nodded. "That's right. Ever since you revoked it the bounty hunters have mostly stopped harassing us, although we still have unfortunate skirmishes once in a while."

Hector nodded. "I thought as much. Which is why I have decided to declare the Black Fang as honorary citizens and allies of Ostia. So long as you are within our borders, you will be free to live here as you see fit. You can even rebuild the Black Fang here if you wish…so long as you agree to have us supervise your progress, of course," he added.

Ninian gasped at the announcement. "That's really kind of you, Lord Hector!" she exclaimed.

"…I can't express my gratitude enough, Lord Hector," was all Lloyd could respond with. "But…what will the other nobles say?"

"I don't intend to make this announcement without explaining the services that you and the Black Fang have provided in our war against Nergal," Hector promised. "However, in the end, I can override their objections since your honorary protection primarily focuses in Ostia. That being said, I can't make any promises about how you'll be treated in other parts of Lycia."

"You'll always be welcome in Pherae," Eliwood promised, "but other areas like Araphen and Laus may not treat you so kindly."

"You don't have to worry about that," Lloyd answered. "I swear on my father's honor that neither the Black Fang nor I will commit any action that will make you regret your trust."

"I hold you to that, Lloyd!" Hector warned him sternly, before bursting out laughing. "So this is my first order as a marquess!" He commented wryly, "the first of many. I have to say…being the leader of Lycia doesn't really suit me. My brother let me play around for a long time, but now that he's gone…I'm going to have to take up the mantle. The throne can't be left empty forever. The burdens Uther carried…I'm going to lift them on my shoulders and succeed him at everything!"

"You've grown a lot since the beginning of our adventures together," Dusk assured him. "And I can tell that you are definitely ready for the task, with all of its benefits and burdens. And what about you, Eliwood?" he turned to the red-haired Knight Lord. "Are you prepared to take on the leadership of Pherae?"

"I don't know if I'm equal to the task," Eliwood admitted, "but I'm going to do my best for all the people who live here."

Ninian reached out and gently clasped Eliwood's hand in hers. "You will be a wonderful leader, my lord," she comforted him.

Linus smirked. "With a beautiful woman like Ninian keeping you in line," he joked, "you can't go wrong!" Everyone laughed.

"Lord Hector?" a shy voice came out from one of the side rooms. Hector looked up and grinned.

"I'm in here, Florina!" he called back. The orchid-haired Pegasus knight quietly opened the door and walked into the chamber. Like Ninian, she was wearing an elegant dress for the upcoming ceremony, and she looked absolutely stunning.

"I have to say," Dusk commented, "that while our friends the marquesses here may not match formal attire, the ladies Ninian and Florina more than make up for them!"

After another round of laughter, Eliwood announced. "As a matter of fact, Ninian and I plan to get married shortly after my ascension."

"The same applies to Florina and myself!" Hector added, deciding that now was as good a time as any.

Lloyd's eyes widened. "Congratulations to all of you!" he applauded. "I hope Elimine blesses your unions with long and happy lives!"

"I wish I could be there," Dusk lamented, "but I cannot delay my departure much longer."

"We understand, Dusk," Hector clasped his friend's shoulder. "Thanks for supporting and guiding us to victory."

"There's something that I'm curious about," Linus suddenly announced. "How did you get the nobles to support your marriages? Surely they would protest the marriage of commoners and nobles. Trust me…we've been dealing with nobles for FAR too long."

Hector grinned. "We managed to get enough nobles to approve our marriage. Obviously, Eliwood and I have each other's backs. Lord Hausen from Caelin also gave his approval, as did my cousin Orun from Thria. The marquess of Kathelet is a good man and he offered his support. And we even managed to get Erik's vote."

"Erik?" Dusk looked up in surprise. "Lord Darin's son? Doesn't he have a grudge against you? He seems like the last person to help you achieve happiness."

"My friend, but this is where the politics of nobility comes into place," Hector smiled. "You see, the entire Lycian council is furious at Laus for their betrayal. Since Darin's passed on, their anger's being directed towards Erik. But, if Pherae and Ostia, the regions of Lycia that were the direct victims of the betrayal, were to offer a pardon towards Erik's behalf…"

"Ah…" Dusk nodded as he realized what was going on. "If Erik gives support for both of your marriages, then you will give him a chance to turn over a new leaf."

"That's right!" Hector confirmed cheerfully. "Of course, while I may forgive, I certainly won't forget." A mischievous glint entered his eye. "There's a reason why I had Erik's trial scheduled AFTER our marriage vote. I'll keep my word…but I'm going to make sure Erik keeps his."

"You're becoming quite the politician already, Lord Hector," Lloyd complimented his friend's ingenuity. "Just make sure you don't sell your soul like so many nobles of Bern have."

"But that's enough about Erik. We've gotten the approval of the council, and there's nothing to stop us from being with the ones we love," Eliwood steered the topic away from Erik. "There's a favor that Ninian and I have decided to ask you."

"Small world! Florina and I have been wanting to ask you one as well," Hector added.

"This may seem a bit premature…" Eliwood hesitated for a second, but shook his doubts aside. "I would like you to name our first child. Ninian and I talked it over."

"You've done so much for us," Ninian added. "Please, Mark. Do us this one last service before you go."

Dusk didn't even hesitate for a moment. "I'd be honored to," he gratefully accepted. He thought for a moment. "How about…Roy? In the old days it means king."

"Roy…" Ninian turned to look at her future husband. They both grinned. "I like it!" she nodded. "Roy…our future son…it suits him quite well."

"As for us," It was now Hector's turn. "We'd like for you to be our child's godparent."

"We…we've already come up with a name…I'm sorry," Florina meekily apologized.

Hector laughed. "Don't be so shy, Florina! I'm sure Dusk doesn't mind. If it's a boy, we're going to call him Uther, after my brother! He and Roy will spar every day for the pride of their fathers!"

"Why do I feel like this is all he ever talks about?" Linus muttered wryly to everyone except Hector's amusement.

"Umm…Dusk?" Florina spoke up again. "If...if it's a girl…"

"Lord Hector?" Oswin suddenly interrupted from the doorway. "I'm sorry to interrupt you, but the rehearsal for your ceremony is beginning momentarily. We cannot delay any longer."

"Blast!" Hector grumbled. He gave an apologetic smile to the rest of his friends. "I'm sorry about this, but I must depart. Good luck to all of you, and I'm looking forward to see you tomorrow."

He looked straight at Dusk. "Dusk…" he addressed him with a seriousness that made the smiles fade from the others' faces. "You remember what Athos said, right? I sealed Armads away, but…I can still feel its power pulsing inside me. Someday, a terrible war will come…a war that I don't think even the Black Fang will be able to stop. When that day comes…I want you there to help us. I want you to guide my children."

"I will be there when the time comes," Dusk promised, "I swear it."

Hector looked visibly comforted by that. "We'll meet again someday. I'm sure of it!" He turned to shake hands with his friends one final time, and then left the room with Florina right alongside him.

Eliwood turned to face Dusk. "I guess this is farewell, Dusk," he sighed ruefully. "If it weren't for you…I would never have been able to save father, much less the world. You have my heartfelt gratitude."

"I did what I had to do to save the world," Dusk responded solemnly, "and I couldn't have asked for better friends and companions to carry out that task with."

Eliwood grasped his friend's hand firmly. "This isn't our final farewell, Mark. We will see each other again. That's a promise." He turned to Ninian. "Come, Ninian. We have to join Hector at the rehearsal. My own ascension isn't far off." He shook hands with Linus and Lloyd like Hector had, before leaving the room with Ninian.

Only Lloyd, Linus, and Dusk were left in the room. Lloyd turned to Dusk. "I don't think I ever properly thanked you, Dusk. Not only did you save my life back in that valley in Bern, but you saved my family and all of the Black Fang from either corruption or outright destruction. My brother and I owe you our lives, Dusk."

Dusk shook his head. "You have repaid your debt many times over by joining us in the fight against Nergal, Lloyd," he answered. "You owe me nothing. And I wish you the best of luck in rebuilding the Black Fang."

"And there's one more thing, Dusk," Lloyd added. "I know how nobility works, Dusk. Noble, honorable men like Hector and Eliwood will respect your freedom and independence, but other places will not be so high-minded. They will seek you out, try to win your allegiance or service. Bern at least might even try to force you to serve them. If you ever need to protect Elibe under the cloak of secrecy and shadows, the Black Fang will always be open to you. I swear to you that we will only protect you, and will not use your power unless you wish us to."

"You do not have to make such an oath to me, Lloyd," Dusk gently chided the new leader of the Fang. "I know that you are a man of honor and I trust your word."

He looked uneasily towards the window, which was pointed east. "I've had too much experience with prophecies. All of them have taught me that it's impossible to escape them completely, and that trying to avoid one entirely is foolish and could make the situation even worse. The Black Fang has been weakened by Nergal's corruption, but under your leadership it will rise again. And when it does, you will be the only centralized power who will be able to protect the innocent in Bern from the darkness at hand."

Dusk looked Lloyd straight in the eye. "Keep vigilant, Lloyd. The more prepared we are to fight the darkness and the more people we protect from its onslaught of destruction, the better off everyone will be."

/

A/N: And that's the first chapter of the official epilogue! I had to make a couple of adjustments to add Lloyd, Linus, and Dusk in the scene. Since Lloyd and Linus sort of acted as de facto leaders of the reformed Fang I figured they earned a right to be in this scene. And as to the reason why Lyndis wasn't included in this scene, it's mainly because she wasn't in the actual game.

I predict two more chapters left. One featuring the summarized epilogue of the Black Fang members (you know, the screens where they explain what happened to everyone in the future and any possible pairings they might have had), and then one final chapter that will depict what happens 15 years later.

Once again, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everybody!