"Laus is located in the heart of Lycia, a territory ruled by the power-hungry marquess of Laus, Lord Darin. Preparations for the war of which the Pheraen magistrate spoke...The disappearance of Eliwood's father, Elbert...The death of Marquess Santaruz...Do these all revolve around Lord Darin? In Eliwood's heart, the need for truth is drowned in fear...A fear of what that truth may hold." David said.
"Well...isn't this a surprise." a voice said as a young man approached them.
"Erik?" Eliwood said.
"Stay back, Eliwood. I don't think he's here for pleasantries." Cheetah said.
"What? Now that's just crazy. We've been friends since school days." Hector said.
"Oh no. She's quite right." Erik said. "Truth is, I've despised you for a long time, Eliwood." he said retreating to the castle as lots of troops came out of hiding nearby.
"Just as I have figured. He's got us surrounded." Cheetah said.
"He seems rather confident that overwhelming numbers will do us in." Tetsu said.
"Yes, but I can smell a familiar face among the premises as well. I'm going to search around for potential allies." Cheetah said.
"Don't take too long." David said.
"Then I suppose we're taking the soldiers." Mark said.
"Least until we can reach that stuck up lord hiding in his castle." Jexi said.
"Well he won't be hiding for long." Elementa said seeing two magic users with Cheetah, one of them being Erk.
"Well, that was quicker than I thought. Nice to see a friendly face in all of this." David said.
"And he has Priscilla with him. Now that is planning ahead." Serra said. "Now these forces stand no chance against any of us."
"The hell is going on out there? Just kill them! We have the numbers!" Erik said from the castle.
"Numbers? Do you even know how many of us are out here?" David asked. "Besides, numbers have never been much of a problem for people like us."
"Numbers are meaningless if the people who have them lack power." Hope said, taking out a few incoming soldiers.
"In short, the only one in any disadvantage here...is you." Mark said.
"Heh. You think I'll just go and…" Erik said before a pair of claws were pointed at his neck.
"I advise you to consider your next words very carefully." Cheetah said.
They quickly ran into the castle and started to search the place for a bit.
"No dice. No sign that anyone has been inside other than him and the soldiers." Shuichi said.
"Erik...what do you know about any of this?" Eliwood demanded.
"A year ago...a man named Ephidel appeared and convinced my father to start a rebellion against Ostia. Gaining approval from other lords of Santaruz and Pherae. But...your father refused to support us. It wasn't long after that he disappeared. He's gotta be dead after that long." Erik said laughing.
"Don't say stuff like that. That's your father you're talking about." David said. "Besides, Eliwood told us that his father is a just and well-respected lord. He would never agree to something like this."
"Hahahahaha! You don't know who you're chasing after, if that's the case! My father…he's just a puppet to Ephidel and the Black Fang. Don't you get it?! You're dealing with someone who will persuade others to do whatever he says, even watch his own son die!" Erik laughed.
David sighed at his words. "It's no use… He's completely lost it."
"I refuse to believe my father is dead." Eliwood said. "I'll find the Black Fang and Ephidel and prove his innocence."
"I don't believe a word he says either. Just note that we're here for you if anything." David said.
"Thank you. Now...let's get going. We've spent enough time here." Eliwood said.
