Here is the next chapter! I hope you guys think it is good! This is a significant week for me. As on March 19, 2017, I turn twenty years old, leaving my teenage years behind. I'm a bit stressed about it. I know I'm young, but I feel old considering the age of things that I grew up with. It doesn't help that I discovered a white hair in my beard this week. My dad confirmed the color. Sigh, but I can't dwell on it to much, I've got to move on with my life, and my life has gotten a lot busier this last semester, but I'm doing my best to consistently give you guys updates. Next time, I wrap up the Firinne storyline for now and further a couple of other subplots with a chapter entitled "Revelations". I hope you guys think that Firinne lived up to expectations. As always, please leave a review and, if you play Fire Emblem Heroes, my friend code is 4697742166. Enjoy!

Lester wandered through Firinne's cave, Firinne's voice echoing throughout. "Now, what to do with you? Coming up with Leif's challenge was easy, as he had a lot to work with, while Delmund's case is... special. But what about you? You have mental turmoil like Leif. I can help with that, but your problems are actually simpler to solve than his, so what to do, what to do... I know what to do." said Firinne. A fireball erupted near Lester. Lester spotted the mage that had fired it. He dodged and sent an arrow in the mage's direction, but the arrow passed through him. A wall sprouted in front of Lester, and then the entire corridor changed shape and reformatted itself into a labyrinth, somewhat resembling a laser tag arena (not that Lester would know what that was).

"There are twenty apparitions in this room, all looking for you. Five archers, five dark mages, five magic sword users, and five mages who use standard magic. You need to eliminate them all." declared Firinne.

"How?" shouted Lester, "My arrows pass right through them!"

"Only when you're in their direct line of sight." said Firinne. "You're going to have to snipe them without being seen and shot yourself. Better watch your arrow supply." said Firinne, and so Lester's trial began. It quickly earned the title of trial, as, like in a game of laser tag, every time he got in a good position, he was flanked by the enemy, making his task arduous. While he was successful in whittling down their numbers, he had more injuries to show for it than Leif had. A leg still feeling the after-effects of a thunder tome, a burn mark on his forearm, a cut on the cheek, and an arrow in his shoulder, and some nausea from the dark tomes. But Lester kept count of his successes, and grew more hopeful as he first eliminated all the sword users, then the standard mages, until finally, he had narrowed them down to one dark mage and one archer.

He wandered around until he came to a study in the center of the labyrinth. He saw the final dark mage... just sitting there, he seemed to be writing. He was surrounded by life-sized statues. Lester readied an arrow, and fired and the mage collapsed at his desk. Suddenly, one of the statues shattered and Lester realized that it was actually his final opponent. He leaped back, hoping to still catch his opponent off guard. However, his arrow went wild when he realized that his final opponent... was his father. Midir promptly shot Lester in the chest. He sighed "Is this really the child that I fathered? Damn it Lester, I thought for sure that you could grow up into someone I could be proud of."

"Y...you can be proud... D-dad." stammered Lester, yanking the arrow out

"I fathered an indecisive and underhanded son. How can I be proud of that? You're not behaving like a real man at all." said Midir.

"Ah... a real man?" asked Lester, grabbing ahold of a torch." Could anyone but a real man do... do this?" he asked, bringing the flame to his wound, searing it shut. It made him groan and nearly loose his balance and spit up a little blood, but he endured it. No response from Midir "And I was only underhanded with that... that mage, because this trial... required me to be."

Midir fired another arrow, but this time, Lester managed to dodge. "That isn't what I was referring to when I said you were underhanded. You're a trickster, Lester. A trickster who regularly utilizes crocodile tears. You take every opportunity to make jokes and play pranks, but as soon as you get caught or actually hurt someone on some level, you act apologetic. You obviously haven't been learning your lesson." said Midir "You've failed to live up to my every expectation!" he shouted, firing several arrows one after another, forcing Lester to flee an hide.

When he found a spot, Lester said "I... I apologize whenever a line has been crossed! When I realize that a joke has gone to far, I keep it in mind and not let the same thing happen again. I'll admit, I'm not always successful, but at least I'm trying, dad! I DO feel genuine remorse, in fact, I keep debating with myself over stopping altogether!"

"I'm willing to accept that explanation, but that explanation merely leads right into the other issue at hand, your indecision." said Midir, as he hunted his son.

"Don't tell me that you were never indecisive, dad!" shouted Lester. "Because if you claim that, I can throw some stories mom told me right back at you and prove you to be a MONUMENTAL FREAKING HYPOCRITE! Ow, ow ow." muttered Lester as the excited shouting strained his chest wound.

"The problem, Lester is that you are CONSTANTLY indecisive over several matters." said Midir, voice sounding close enough that Lester was forced to change hiding places as swiftly as he could. "Over what questions? 'Should I be helpful, or should I ignore the problem? Should I be sincerely nice, or should I try to be funny and alter the mood? Should I tell Laylea that I overheard her, or stall for more time?' those are merely some of the lesser issues that you are always debating with yourself.

Lester's eyes widened at that last one. "What do you expect for me to say about that? What should I do? What COULD I do? Don't tell me that you have an answer that doesn't have the potential to backfire horribly!"

"But YOU DO!" shouted Midir, appearing around the corner and forcing Lester to fire back and flee. "You've talked to your sister about it, and you've talked to Altena about it, but you refuse to act!"

"Can you blame me?! I became a prankster as a reaction to you vanishing, and I've been at it so long, immaturity is what everyone associates with me! A potential relationship is a mature matter, and I want to become more mature before I even discuss the potential for one. But it's a hard manner, to become mature, I'd have to change how I am at a base level, but tell me dad, is that even possible? Can I merely stop being what I've been for so many years? As for Laylea, yes, I've had talks, yes I've been given things to say, but since when do things ever go according to plan? I could mess up the talk in all sorts of ways. How can I do things right? How can I make myself right, tell me dad, I need to know! I can't be myself and mature at the same time!" shouted Lester.

"And why can't you be?" asked Midir

"Wha- isn't it obvious?!"

"No. No it isn't. Being mature and being serious are not, in fact, the same thing. Having a prominent sense of humor doesn't mean that your aren't mature, on the contrary, it helps to keep you well balanced. As long as you think things through, and act and speak without unwarranted malice, you are mature. Create in your mind, a firm line that should not be crossed. Make it a realistic line, a wavy one that allows room for errors, because there will be some. Keep the line in mind always, and if what you intend to do undoubtedly crosses it, don't do that thing. Balance your sense of humor with common decency and common sense, and you have it. It's as simple as that Lester, nothing worth beating yourself up about.

Lester stood completely still for a few moments, as the words sunk in. Then he relaxed, and a smile slowly crept up his face. "I... I guess it is that simple. I've beating myself up over nothing. Yea, I'll do that. I'll make that line, and as soon as I get a chance, I'll talk to Laylea. Thanks for the advice, dad." Lester couldn't feel his wounds anymore, thus he was once again able to move swiftly and freely. Now, he was able to sneak up on Midir. "Thank you dad, you've helped me grow. Now, I'll help you by returning you to your rest." said Lester. He promptly fired an arrow into Midir's back. "Farewell dad, until we meet again, in the afterlife."

"But I'm not... dead..." said Midir as he and the labyrinth faded away.

"Wait... what?! What do you mean by that?!" shouted Lester.

"Exactly what you think it means. That was not your father's undead spirit, for your father is not, in fact, dead. Merely a prisoner." explained Firinne.

"He is?! Really?! Where is he? Where can I find him, please tell me!" shouted Lester.

"You don't need me to tell you. Think about it logically, and you'll figure it out. But for now, your prize. Give me your Brave bow and your quiver."said Firinne. Lester handed them over, Lester's quiver still had three arrows in it. After Firinne did his thing with them, he told Lester "Now, fire your remaining arrows." Lester fired the three in quick succession. "Keep firing." he instructed.

"But that's..." Lester froze when he felt another handful of arrows in his quiver. He started firing, and kept firing for a whole minute, but there seemed to be no end to the arrows.

"Your quiver is now bottomless, and your bow, unbreakable." declared Firinne "I also increased your natural skill level. It's not enough to surpass your cousin... when he's using the Yewfelle and actively training and trying. Otherwise, you're going to give him serious competition in the role of best archer."

Lester grinned from ear to ear. "You know, I was wondering why you didn't bring that up in the trial, I thought that maybe your weren't as omniscient as you claimed. Thank you Firinne. I suppose this means that I passed."

"Indeed, you actually did quite well. Not as well as Leif, but better than Delmund." said Firinne.

Lester frowned "How did he do, by the way?"


"Alright Firinne, let's get on with it. What am I going to be facing off against? My own shadow? My father? My mother? A demon made from my own hatred and resentment? Come on, this is already a waste of my time, but I'd like to know what I'm going to waste my time on." said Delmund

"If it's a waste of time, then how is it in anyway different from every other moment of your life?" asked Firinne.

"Hah. Hah. Hah. Lookee here, it's a smart ass spirit, and I'm stuck with him for who the hell knows how long. Wonderful."

"I'm serious. Leif has his goals that he's focused on, and those keep him motivated. Lester has somewhat lesser goals, yet they still motivate him. What motivates you? What makes you do anything?" asked Firinne.

"Pure irritation." said Delmund "So why don't you take that information and go and mind your own damn business?" he declared, pointing his sword at Firinne.

"But it is my business. It is my job to make soldiers more useful, that includes wastes of space like you." Delmund snarled and charged at Firinne. He caught Delmund's sword with his palm, then punched him backwards "You really don't want fighting me to be your trial." said Firinne.

"Ooh, I get a choice? Then hell yeah, I'm fighting you!" shouted Delmund, once again charging. Firinne made a strange noise that somewhat resembled a sigh. Then suddenly he was beside Delmund, grabbing his upper arm, and then Firinne wrenched it clear from the socket. Delmund shrieked in pain "You moth-"

"LANGUAGE!" shouted Firinne

"I can say whatever the hell I want you Ass-"

"It seems like I'll have to break your body before I break your spirit." said Firinne. He kicked Delmund up into the air, as he fell, Firinne flew up and brought his fist up into the middle of Delmund's back. A distinct snapping noise was heard.

"Your'e... you're supp-" gasped Delmund

"I can do as I please during my trials. Do you know why I initiate my appearances by filling an enclosed space with smoke? It allows me to control the environment, that includes people's bodies." he said as the stub at Delmund's shoulder turned molten and flowed down until it formed a new arm. Delmund stood again, but he was now trembling "So tell me, Delmund, what is it with you? What is your point?"

"Isn't that what you're supposed to tell me?" asked Delmund, attacking. "I thought that your were supposed to be all-knowing!"

"Indeed, but I prefer to initiate self-reflection." said Firinne. Suddenly, Delmund's sword struck a blow that shattered him like glass. The shards flew through Delmund's body, and Firinne reformed on the other side.

The wounds healed, and Delmund spat out some blood and said "You want me to talk about myself? Fine. I'll play your game. For starters, this is about the most attention I've ever gotten, whether you consider it positive or negative." said Delmund, making several thrusts.

"So you feel neglected?" said Firinne, sweeping Delmund's legs from under him.

"There is no 'feel' about it. The other kids all had some significance to the people who raised us, except for me. Me, the bastard conceived because a princess with incestuous feelings for her brother, who felt the need for physical consolation upon his death. I'm surprised that she didn't name me after him."

"Diarmund was actually his middle name." said Firinne, sending a spear through Delmund's belly. As soon as the wound had healed, Delmund snarled "Oh god damn it! I should've known! But with that being the basis of my name, then why the hell would she leave me? Did she feel guilty or something?"

"She always has held some guilt over you." said Firinne, raining boulders down upon him from the ceiling, although Delmund actually managed to avoid getting hurt by these.

"Of course she did. So I was left in Isaac, as an unwanted sign of guilt, useless to everybody. Unneeded for any reason." said Delmund.

"If you felt that you were unneeded, then why did you even bother coming here?" asked Firinne.

"Because I... well... I needed... What the hell else was I supposed to do?!" he cried "I couldn't stay in Tirnanog, I was never able to fit in, and I'd be badgered about not joining, and I'd be insulted and criticized during the journey. I chose the option that gave a change in locales."

"Why would you want to see different places, as for as you've displayed, you don't give a damn about anything." said Firinne, filling the room with a rush of water.

After it died down, Delmund said "Well, I don't, but I... um... Ugh!" shouted Delmund. "Maybe I can find someone I can get along with. A... a girl, possibly?" he said quietly. "Ugh, but screw that. It's never going to happen."

"And why not?" asked Firinne catching Delmund's legs up in a rope and hanging him upside down.

"My attitude is permanently stuck on 'snarky'. It's a part of who I am, and besides, even if I tried changing it, my previous reputation will spread by word of mouth and ruin my chances there. I've got no way out if I tried changing, so why bother changing? It's inevitable for me to remain always unwanted and unloved... can we end this now, I can't take this interrogation session anymore, I feel to... vulnerable." said Delmund

"You are supposed to feel vulnerable, and if I end it now, you won't pass the trial." said Firinne.

"You know as well as I do that I don't give a damn." said Delmund.

"Very well then." said Firinne. Suddenly, Delmund was once again in the room he had started from. "I cannot give you a prize, for you did not complete the trial. However, I am willing to provide you with some information, so that this wasn't a complete waster of your time."

"Ok... go ahead and tell me." said Delmund.

"Your life doesn't have the inevitable conclusion that you think it does. Your situation in life is not entirely unique. In Miletos there is a girl who's situation and feelings are similar to yours. You'll recognize her by her attitude. She is your best shot at changing your life around, stick make and keep her acquaintance." said Firinne.

"Oh... alright... I... th- tha- thank you Firinne." said Delmund at last.