I don't have a much time to work on this as I used to… I'm working two jobs now. It's stressful to say the least. Bit of a short chapter this time, I hope you all aren't too upset with me…

Gaius had to hold back his chuckles as he watched a certain green armored man pace back and forth while biting his nails. Sumia, the temporary 'leader' of their little group standing to the left of him didn't seem to find Stahls reaction funny, at least that's what he assumed her nervous shifting meant.

Maribelle was not phased… as expected

She really should get that stick out of her ass.

But someone needed to have a level head for this Gaius supposed. Having someone laughing at you while the other was trying not to faint won't make anyone feel comfortable.

"So let me get this straight," Stahl said as he came to a stop. "Kail is actually some dead guy who was resurrected into this world and slash or time to stop a insane sorcerer with power enough to level entire cities in an instant. Did I get that right?"

"Yup," Gaius said casually.

"And why the hell hasn't anyone told Chrom!?"

"I must ask the same," Maribelle turned towards Sumia. "It would do us all well to have more support."

"Because Chrom needs to focus on the war."

Gaius smirked, glad that he wasn't the only one who knew the reason behind some of Kail's decisions. That guy was always looking out for everyone, no matter what.

"Stumbles is right," Gaius unwrapped a candy, "Blue is the leader, he needs to be focused on what the standard soldier is focused on. Ya know, morale and shit. Sparkles is gonna tell him after the war."

"Right," Sumia nodded, "Which means until this war is over, we're all he's got."

"You guys picked a great time to drop this on me."

Sumia cringed at Stahls words, Gaius couldn't blame him for being overwhelmed. If the thief were honest with himself, he should have had a bigger reaction when Kail told him.

"I know," Sumia said apologetically, "But Kail is getting more and more reckless, he needs us to pick up the slack."

"Okay…" Stahl sighed as he briefly closed his eyes to collect himself, turning to face Sumia fully before continuing. "What do you need me to do?"

"For now? Take some time to process it," Sumia said kindly, "I know it's a lot to take in."

"Oh thank Naga!" Stahl released his built up tension, nearly collapsing with an exhausted sigh.

Gaius snorted at the reaction before turning to look at Sumia. "What about those preparations you mentioned?"

"I was going to make some weapons" Sumia furrowed her brow. "I was going to ask Miriel to enchant them."

"Sounds sweet, but can you even make weaponry?" Gaius asked skeptically, "You don't give off blacksmith vibes."

"I'm going to force Cordelia to help."

"Sounds like a plan, make me something pretty."

"Something practical for me, please."

Gaius snorted again, shaking his head in amusement. "Of course you'd ask for something like that you basic green-ass foodie."

"Hey! I'm a fan of the classics, nothing wrong with that!"

"Okay, okay," Sumia said as she stepped closer to Stahl. "No fighting. I'm guessing you want a sword?"

"Yeah," Stahl nodded, "Maybe with a passive enchantment. I don't think I have the… uh… magic juice needed for anything else."

"Oh gods," Maribelle muttered as she rubbed her temples to ward off her growing headache. "Did you really just call Mana, the power of our very souls and the cosmos themselves… 'Magic Juice?'"

"Mana! That's what it's called!"

"Nope, sorry." Gaius said seriously, "It's one hundred percent called Magic Juice from now on."

Sumia sighed at the interaction but couldn't help but smile. They were going to be the ones standing up to a god among men yet they still joked with each other, she wished she could be as courageous. They were truly the best choice Kail could have trust this task to.

"We're doomed."

Maribelle didn't agree.

"An Assault?" Flavia asked warily.

"That's right." Robin confirmed with a nod, "With Emmeryn saved, its only a matter of time before Gangrel rallies his troops and attacks us full force…"

"But, he'd never expect us to strike now." Chrom finished, inciting another nod from Robin.

"That's because its suicide, boy!" Basilio boomed, "They have tens of thousands of soldiers and we barely have one thousand!"

Robin and Chrom looked at each other, silently asking each other who would speak. Robin inclined his head to Chrom, giving him an answer to the unsaid question, Chrom nodded as he turned back to the Kahns, his sister staring at him from the end of the table as he spoke.

"We actually have an addition of six hundred troops."

"Really?" Flavia said disbelievingly, "And where exactly did these troops come from?"

Robin reached into his coat, pulling out a rolled up piece of parchment and tossing it to the center of the table before them. "Thank Kail."

Emmeryn smiled when she saw the wax seal upon the scroll, it was that of a wolfs head. Chrom had told her of Kail's brand, the single wolf's head was not claimed by anyone. It was proof of who the message is from. Still, she couldn't even think of how Kail would gain six hundred troops.

Phila made herself known, "How did he come across such a force?"

"It's a force we've encountered before actually," Chrom smiled, "Kail was injured and taken in by the Plegian general Mustafa."

"After healing, Kail managed to convince the General that Gangrel was insane and toxic to Plegia." Robin continued, "After some negotiation, Mustafa agreed to help us in our assault."

"A turncoat?" Basilio asked, "We have to be careful, Boy. For all we know this might be some Plegian trick."

"I believe the General to be honest," Emmeryn spoke softly, "He did keep his word and allow us passage after all."

"Agreed," Chrom spoke in certainty, "Mustafa had me and both my sisters at his soldiers mercy, but he let us pass. He doesn't want this war just as much as we do, I trust him. More importantly, I trust Kail."

"Fine, say we do trust him." Basilio grumbled, "It doesn't change the fact that we're vastly out numbered!"

"He's right," Flavia agreed, "Six hundred won't make much of a difference."

"Not if you take into account the element of surprise!" Robin eagerly explained, "We will send out our infantry in a frontal assault, while we hold the line Mustafa's troops will attack from the flank."

"Not only that," Chrom continued, "The fact that it's Plegian troops making the surprise attack will cause confusion and fear among their ranks, that can be deadly."

"It'll still be a huge risk!" Phila exclaimed, "We can't throw away our soldiers lives for a small chance of victory!"

"Phila."

Everyone silenced when they heard the soft yet firm voice of the Exalt, only after she gained everyone's attention did she speak.

"I may not be as knowledgeable in war as all of you… but if we don't have a chance now, when would we?"

Phila didn't speak, thinking over the Exalts words trying to find an argument that would prove her point, only to find none. The Exalt was right, fleeing will only allow the Plegians to strike them in their backs.

"If we truly are as weak as you claim" Emmeryn spoke in a saddened tone, "then fleeing now would just be delaying the inevitable"

Phila looked down in submission, her brow furrowed in anger. No one judged her for being worried, this situation was bad even with Kail's addition of troops. They'd be fighting outnumbered ten to one, but it was the only chance they had.

"I agree." Basilio broke the silence with his agreement, "I am a Feroxi Kahn. I'll be damned if I run away with my tail between my legs."

"Ha! We agree for once!" Flavia barked out a laugh, "I'll rather die with blade in hand then and arrow in the back!"

"I couldn't agree more." Chrom smiled and leaned on the table giving Kails scroll a look of gratitude before looking at the council of leaders, generals, commanders and tacticians. He let a grin show on his face as he spoke.

"Then let's work out the details and make this work in our favor."

Robin smirked when most looked to him at that. It was a lot of pressure on him when these people trusted him with literal thousands of lives, but he knew that they did so because he was the one with the ability to make everyone come home safe.

Robin was the one that turned the tides in their favor again and again. If they wanted to place their trust in him, then so be it. He would just make their disadvantage their advantage, it would turn the tables like he has so many times before.

Robin couldn't help but let a confidant smirk appear on his lips.

"Time to tip the scales."

It's been three weeks.

Three weeks of preparation, of worry, fear. Sumia didn't know why she was so afraid, the upcoming battle wouldn't be that much different from the ones she's previously took part in… except this time it's the final battle. Their spies confirmed that Gangrel would be present in this skirmish, if that didn't spell the end of the war she didn't know what did.

All she knew was that she had good friends. Cordelia was all too happy to make weapons for Her and Stahl, she was going to make one for Gaius too but he said he'd handle it himself. She couldn't help but be curious. But now wasn't the time for that, she needed to psych herself up. She needed to muster her courage as she marched with the rest of her friends and fellow soldiers.

The sound of a marching army was one that Sumia would never get used to. Despite her attempts otherwise, she was still nervous. The sound of stomping feet and clomping hooves picked on her frayed nerves. She supposed it wasn't that surprising, a marching army usually meant one thing.

Death.

And she was a part of that army. But would the death that they bring be their enemies, or their own?

Sumia shook the thoughts from her head.

She shouldn't think like that, she will fight and live and Kail will come back and they'll live happily ever after just like the books… right?

No, that's not what will happen, she knew that. Or at least, happily ever after won't happen anytime soon, they still have to deal with Ubel. Sumia was frightened by the mere thought of the unknown sorcerer, what kind of monster is this man that the gods saw fit to send a hero like Kail?

It doesn't matter how strong he is, she will fight along side the hero known as Kail. She nodded in conviction, it wasn't any question that they would be victorious. They would win and they would celebrate… then they would…

Sumia blushed as she thought of her in a beautiful white dress, walking down the isle to a waiting Kail. A smile on both of their faces as they listened to the priest as he preformed the wedding ceremony. Their eyes twinkling as they vowed themselves to each other, before leaning forward and finally pressing their lips-

"Sumia?"

Sumia let out a loud yelp as she felt someone grab her shoulder, pulling her from her fantasy. With her sudden clarity, she suddenly felt very immature.

"We're going to war and I'm thinking about marrying him. What am I a lovesick teenager!?"

Sumia decided to ignore the fact that she was nineteen.

"Are you okay? You look red."

Sumia turned to look at the woman still holding onto her shoulder and giggled. "Don't worry Lucy, I'm fine. Just a bit of nerves."

Lucina didn't look convinced but didn't question it. She nodded as she let go of the flyers shoulder. "Well, don't worry. We'll win this with Unc- uh, Sir Kail's help."

"You mess up his name a lot!" Sumia giggled, "And yeah, I know Kail got us more soldiers and we have Robins plan so we'll definitely win!"

"That's the spirit!" Lucina smiled, "Just stay optimistic!"

Sumia nodded with a smile of her own, before they both faced forward and marched in silence. Lucina wasn't as bad as she originally thought. When the swordswoman comforted her when they were fleeing from the Plegian boarders, she decided to give her another chance. Of course it didn't change a few things, but she was going to stop ignoring problems. So… shouldn't she address the issue?

Sumia took a breath before speaking.

"Hey, Lucy."

Lucina turned back to look at her. "Yes?"

Sumia swallowed the lump in her throat. "Why did Kail teach you that song?"

Lucina tilted her head slightly. "Song?"

"The Ballad." Sumia clarified, though she wasn't sure that was what it was even called.

Lucina understood regardless.

"O-oh… that." Lucina scratched her cheek awkwardly.

Sumia thought the worst from that reaction. Meanwhile Lucina was contemplating what to say. After all, she cant exactly tell her that Kail would sing it to her when she had nightmares growing up in her hellish future.

"It's actually a prayer." Lucina decided to speak a half truth. "It's called, the Ballad of the Goddess. Apparently, I remind Kail of a figure in said goddess' stories so he taught me."

"It's a sacred song?" Sumia's eyes widened, "I didn't know Kail was religious…"

"Oh, no… well maybe, I don't know." Lucina muttered, "It's a fictional goddess. He was just heavily affected by the story she was in, so the song means a lot to him. I guess you could say it's sacred to him."

"...Why did he never teach me…" Sumia muttered under her breath as she looked to the ground and frowned, a sadness filling her heart.

"Lucina… are… are you in love with Kail?"

Lucina's face instantly turned white as snow before fading into a shade of green. "NO! No, no, no, no! Dear gods, no!"

"Y-you aren't?"

"No!" Lucina nearly screamed, "What in the world would make you think I was!?"

Sumia fidgeted and held back a blush. "I-I don't know. You just seem to admire him so much…"

"I do! But that doesn't mean I'm in love with him!"

"I guess so…" Sumia sighed.

Perhaps she's overreacting, Lucina may know somethings about Kail that she didn't, but that doesn't mean the same isn't true in reverse. Sumia doubts that Lucina knows about Kails loneliness, or his otherworldly origins.

"Rest assured Aun- ah, Sumia." Lucina stated firmly, "You don't have any competition from me."

Sumia smiled as she felt an overwhelming sense of relief. Lucina spoke with such honesty that Sumia felt silly for even thinking that Lucina and Kail could have been involved. She couldn't help but giggle at the craziness of the thought.

"Thanks Lucy."

"Of course!" Lucina smiled, "Besides, I would never get in the way of true love. The two of you were meant to be."

Sumia blushed at the praise but thanked her regardless. She finally felt all the anxiety of this issue fade away into nothing and was left with happiness. Of course, not everyone shared Lucinas ideals.

"Anna…" Sumia growled out the name through clenched teeth.

Her brows furrowed as she decided to prove herself better then anyone else, so Kail will see just how strong she is. To show him that she can stand by his side no matter what, but she'll need more then just a lance and pegasus to do that.

Maybe she should learn magic too. That would definitely catch his eye, he was basically a being of magic after all. Of course learning spellcraft was easier said then done, perhaps she should ask Miriel for lessons. Either way one things for sure.

Sumia will get stronger. Strong enough to help Kail defeat both the demons that plagued this land, and his heart. Whatever it takes.

I stared at the hills that were somehow full of green grass, despite Plegia being a desert nation, it seemed that there was some life left in the sandy dunes. The soldiers called this place The Hills of Valor. Supposedly, the Plegians believed that every blade of grass was a soldier that gave their life for their nation.

Every speck of life in this massive oasis was a reborn soul.

They were right.

My aura vision proved it, every plant was full of life in the same way a human would be. The only difference being the strength behind the soul these plants contain. It was almost sad that this bloody war will be fought on these admittedly beautiful hills. But there was something else that I sensed out there, towards the Plegian castle. Something wrong…

Something… foul…

I couldn't explain it. It was like a bad smell with no source, one so subtle that you barely noticed it, but it would still linger in your nostrils until the point in burned and made your eyes water.

Like rotting food in a container. Always there, just waiting until you open it and unleash the horrid stench that makes you gag.

"What ails you, Mage?"

I turn to look at Mustafa as he moves to stand next to me, his brow furrowed with worry. It usually was, I couldn't blame him for that. I would be worried to if I was in his position, he's terrified of what will happen should our attack fail. His family is at stake.

I honestly considered keeping this feeling to myself, but he knows war better then me, if something goes wrong its best he have forewarning.

"I sense something." I whispered, "Something dark. Foul. Like the very soul of the world is warning me of… something."

"That's… worrying." He grumbled quietly as he turned to look at the oasis before us. "And you don't know what this feeling is?"

My brow furrowed as I thought on his question, what did this feel like? I closed my eyes and focused on it, trying to feel it out. The more I focused the stronger it became, more intense, more painful. Like pressing down on a splinter with your thumb.

It was dark, cold, evil… Dark Magic.

A Sorcerer then? A powerful one if I could sense him from here, but that seems strange. I was never able to sense other mages to this extent before, what changed? Did my Unification increase my sensing ability? And if so, why am I only sensing this one Sorcerer, why not all of them?

I gasped when I felt a change in the dark power, like it turned. It was looking at me, it started poking and prodding at me like I had it. It's cold grasp was surprisingly peaceful, like it was just curiosity manifest.

But that didn't change the fact that I felt an emotion running from the power and into me. My own emotions mirroring the dark power against my will. I could feel the power smiling as it filled me with unnatural glee. And then the voice, a voice filled my head and rattled my skull.

"Hello, brother."

The second the words echoed in my head I pulled back and severed the connection, my eyes snapping open as it felt like I was suddenly hit in the forehead with a mace. I stumbled back, my hand grasping my head in pain as I began falling to the ground.

Mustafa caught me before I could hit the ground, supporting my back as he stared at me in shock.

"Kail! What happened!?" He turned back to camp, "We need a healer!"

I shook my head as the pain started to fade. "N-no. No I'm fine."

He didn't look convinced but waved away the approaching cleric and he helped me stand regardless. "What was that? You started glowing and the next thing I know you're collapsing."

I knew what it was, somehow I just knew. It was like he placed the knowledge in my head during our connection. I knew I had just made a temporary psychic connection with another Einherjar. The only other one like me was the one I was here to stop.

Ubel is here. In Plegia.

I was suddenly filled with fear at the fact. I was not ready to fight him, that was clear. I was like an infant when it came to magic and combat, I may have talent and Magical Unity but I know that wouldn't be enough. Who knows how long he's been in this world, practicing, growing stronger.

"Kail?"

I jumped at the booming voice of Mustafa, he stared at me with a look of worry.

"Sorry," I muttered, "It's just… there's a complication."

Mustafa frowned, "What complication?"

"They have someone like me on their side."

"Like you?"

"Yeah..." I nodded, "An Einherjar, like me…"

Mustafas eyes widened, "You're…"

I nodded grimly, "Yes, and they have one like me out there."

"Then we must be careful." Mustafa growled, "You're the only one that could stand against another of your kind."

"You're right." I nodded before looking up and taking note of the suns position. "We need to get ready, the Ylissean army is probably about to make their attack."

Mustafa nodded, "The troops are in position, all we have to do is wait for their signal."

"Then we should join them."

"Yes." Mustafa agreed, "And you should prepare yourself to face your kin."

"Believe me, General. I will never be ready for this fight."

"Then I will prey that they feel the same."

"So will I."

If the unnatural joy I felt from his power was any indication, he's more then ready...

He's looking forward to it.

I've already started the next chapter, here's hoping it won't take me two months again…

-Gaijin