Python was just relaxing while guarding the Zofia Harbor in the morning. He sat by a post while keeping an eye out for anything with a bow and arrow on the side with a bottle of ale and some dried squid at hand. The perfect life for him as it was not much work, but good enough for him.

While he does some soldier stuff here and there, he mostly spend it enjoying the view while taking in the scenery. Sometimes he gets some ladies admire him for his cool attitude or to a tavern once his duties are done. Though we know that this will all change today.

Python looked out into the sea and found what appears to be an obviously dark and murky ship coming by. He heard some guards starting to freak out and exchange murmurs on this ship getting closer to shore. However, this former member of the Deliverance begged to differ.

"What the hell? This captain is probably one of those edge lords," Python spat, "Honestly he's trying way too hard to act scary."

As the ship got closer to shore, all the guards scrambled around it with spears ready. Python just sip his bottle of ale as it was typical soldiers being serious. Then suddenly there was a scream as he dropped his bottle and saw a soldier get dragged down to the sea.

Odd creatures started to come out of the water and the ship as the guards started to attack them. However, these creatures were appearing more than them being killed as they swarm against the soldiers. This was the first time in years since Python faced a serious emergency like this as he got up and do something about this.

Beside he can grab his bow, he heard a moan behind him as he is quickly greeted by a black haired Terror with nun clothing. It slowly approach to him as Python slaps the thing with the bottle of ale that he is holding while dropping some dried squid.

"Buzz off, please!" Python cursed.

The Terror was knocked back a bit, showing no signs of being in pain. Instead, it tried rushing at Python which the archer sidestepped just in time. Rather than continuing to go after Python, it went for the dried squid that he dropped.

"Well, that was simple," Python shook as he used this chance to escape as he climbed down the ladder as fast as possible.

From the ground, he saw many townsfolk running for their lives or ripped to shreds. There were some villagers being slided or stabbed by Venin Swords and Axes. Others had the more brutal kill of being eaten and ripped apart limb from limb.

Normally, Python is calm about the situation but this was too much for him to stomach. He tried to stayed focused as he shot some arrows at some of these Terrors, ridding of them one by one.

"Hello and goodbye!" Python mocked as he kept shooting.

However, more just keep on coming and some soldiers at this point decided to run away. Barely anyone is alive at this point. To make matters worse, there were Necrodragons running amok as they swooped in from the dark clouds. Python looked above to see not only a swarm of Necrodragons, but a bigger one floating up in the air.

This bigger dragon looks snake like with four gigantic limb like wings and two side horns hanging down on its face. It was as dark as the clouds while it was hard to make out its appearance clearly except for its shape. Its six glowing red eyes are the only things that give some view of what if looks like.

Python sighed, "Aw, don't tell me-!"

A necrodragon landed on a house before Python could finish his sentence. The archer ended up being covered by debris as a chuck of that house landed on his legs up to his lower waist. It was not that heavy, but it will be a pain for him to get himself out.

"Damn it!" Python cursed, "Of all days to be attacked by Terrors… AGAIN… why now?"

The archer then tries to get himself out as he could not really reach to the debris and use all of his strength to get it. He could not get a good hold as he rushed to get out of it as soon as possible. Otherwise he would be the next meal to these undead creatures.

"Come on!" Python grunted as the debris was crushing his legs.

Suddenly Python feft the weight on his legs loosen as he spotted someone who managed to save him. He looked up at the person who doesn't look like a soldier, but rather a girl who managed to get him out.

"Ah, thanks," Python greeted as he then see a clear view of this girl.

Python's grin slowly fades to disappointment as he saw that his savior was in fact another Terror. This time it had red hair with odd eyebrows and a uniform like dress. This terror looked nervous as it started bowing and started rambling in another language.

"I'm so so sorry about all of this! I never meant for this to happen. I could not control Tae and these other zombies and they dragged me into this!" cried the Terror.

Python threw a piece of dried squid and shouted, "Here's your reward!"

The archer then made a run for it as he thinks that he bought himself some time as he declared, "Damn. This just stopped being fun. So long, everyone! Gotta live to fight another day and all that."

The best thing the archer can do at the moment is to run for his life, get some reinforcements, and hope that all of this will blow over. It worked last time, maybe not. All the archer knew that his peaceful days will be numbered for a while.

While he was running, he saw the same red haired Terror following him as if she is in trouble. He barely out of the harbor and this thing managed to catch up to him. Python got out his bow and arrow as he aimed and kept shooting at it over and over. However, the Terror did not go down as easily as the previous ones as it was able to take more hits.

"Why won't you stay down?!" Python complained as he realized that he was running out of arrows.

He then looked back at the Terror and did something that he did not expect, cry. The Terror started crying as it tries to take off the arrows that are stuck on it and wiped her tears or at least something of equivalence for a corpse. Python knew that this one Terror was not ordinary as he has never seen anything like this and stood still in shock.

The most surprising thing was that the Terror gave back the arrows that he shot it with and bowed back before going back to the harbor. All Python could do is shake his head and thinks that he was hallucinating.

"I should really lay off the ale in the morning," Python sighed.

...

"Wwwaaterr-u"

"That's it!"

Genny and Ai were still at their lessons from the morning to the afternoon as Ai is slowly understanding Valmese. While the Terror still struggled in reading, she did have some idea of the language as she managed to learn to speak some words. Though perfect pronunciation is still a struggle.

"Okay now say it with me," Genny said, "May I have some water?"

"May I..er havu somu waterrru?" Ai repeated.

"You're getting better!" Genny cheered, "It's as if you had some previous experience."

"I… havu?" Ai answered and assumed that is the right thing to say.

"Wow! Yes yes yes!" Genny praised, "You'll be able to master this language in no time!"

"Thank you," Ai replied.

"I… I didn't even teach you that!" Genny shook.

"I hear before," Ai added.

Genny went for the hug as Ai smiled back. The cleric could not believe that she could have so much fun teaching a Terror. But then suddenly…

"Uh Genny, I don't know if its a good idea to hug her like that."

Genny lets Ai go as she saw Boey who seemed nervous as the cleric asked, "What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing," Boey replied, "It's not that Ai is dangerous, just cautious is all. I mean… I'm all for her being here since she's friendly but… you know."

"Ah… I don't blame you if you are afraid," Genny noted, "But she can sort of understand us now."

"What?!" Boey shrieked.

Ai waved her hands to calm the mage down, "It-su good-o!"

Boey then took a deep breath, "I really need to get over my fears of Terrors if Ai is going to stick around."

"Sorry," Ai apologized.

"No no… I should be sorry!" Boey huffed, "It's just not used to dead things you know."

Ai looked down as she gets the idea of how Boey feels even though she does not complete understand what he said. Though the two do realize that they still need to get used to all of this since they just met last night. Only time will tell.

"So uh… I was just here to check on things and glad to hear that things are going well," Boey said as he is faking a chuckle and then he left.

"I think we should end it here for the day," Genny suggested, "You did an excellent job and I could not believe that you were able to learn so quickly."

"Thank youu Jenny," Ai responded.

"Oh my! You said my name! A bit odd, but its progress!" Genny cheered, "I guess we could teach you magic but it does require reading."

Ai made a gesture of a bow and arrow which Genny observed carefully. The young cleric then guessed, "Bow and arrow… you know how to use one?"

"Yesu," Ai answered.

"We do got targets for you but for a bow and arrow though," Genny pondered, "Where can we get one?"

Ai pointed at herself, "I gotto thisu."

…

Later that day, Mae, Boey and Genny watch Ai construct her own bow and arrow near the target practice arena. None of them really have committed experience in archery so most of them seemed surprised to be bested by a Terror. At least in the crafting department.

Ai looked at the bow she just made to make sure that it did not break. The silk seems firmed for now, but may need replacements in the future. The arrows only have wooden tips, but will work for now.

The undead girl then begin testing it as she set the arrow and pulled onto the string. She took a deep breath as she focused at a specific target before she releases it. In an instant, the arrow managed to hit a bullseye. Trio of mages roared in hurrah as Ai managed to get her first shot perfectly.

"Blessed Lady Mila," Genny stuttered.

"That was so cool!" Mae marveled.

"Uhhh….what?" Boey sputtered.

"Will this suffice?" Ai asked in her home language.

The three nodded in agreement as Ai smiled and blushed for her accomplishment. Wait… she is blushing? Genny notices as she exclaimed, "Wait… I thought you were dead?"

Ai touched her cheek and realized this as the skin under her bandaged face felt warm, "Normally I blush here and there, but for it to be warm… maybe its the weather since the place I lived in was a bit more chilly"

"Well, that is possible," Mae agreed, "Don't you have people praising you before?"

Ai looked solemn as she looked down and nodded, "Yesu."

"Oh right… you were an idol before," Mae remembered.

"Let me guess, for some god?" Boey asked.

"Apparently it's what they called musicians back where she is from," Mae corrected, "I think she must have missed her fans."

"Fanu… friends... I also have friends at home who supported me. Not just when I was alive but beyond death. We always supported each other at dire times." Ai reminanced.

"There are more of you?!" Boey shrieked.

"BOEY!" Mae scolded.

"Sorry…" Boey apologized.

"You said that you were alive at one point, care to tell how you died?" Genny asked.

Ai looked away in shame as Genny apologize immediately, "Oh no, I should've asked. It must be very sensitive."

"No… You would know eventually. I died from a lightning storm," Ai answered as the three were shocked from this revelation.

"So that's why you were afraid of my thunder?" Mae realized.

"It was a live concert one day with a thunderstorm. I performed as usual until… that," Ai explained as she starts to tear up, "It hurts so much as I was rushed to the hospital. I couldn't be saved and the next thing I knew, I died."

"Gosh… when you get to it, Terrors were once people," Genny sniffed, "It kind of makes me sad when you think about it."

Boey looked to the side as he is starting to feel guilty for his paranoia while Mae felt uncomfortable of it all. The two along with everyone in Valentia had feared and hated Terrors for so long that they might have been blind from hate. Maybe it seems to be a dramatization, but it might be the case.

Even so, Ai then gave them a small smile as she told them, "Thank you… I cannot express how I feel today in your language well yet, but I am thankful for the support you gave me. I was told many times to not trust outsiders, but you three changed that. I know it is not that simple and we only known each other for a day, but I know we get be friends until I go."

"Hey, that's what friends are for," Mae said.

…

Meanwhile, Saki is bored as she is stuck with Alm and Celica giving orders and relaying messages. The whole castle has been worked up since the meeting earlier as all Saki see people doing is pacing back and forth with supplies or orders. She could try to go do something else, but she not only lacks a body but she doubts that they let her even if she had one.

"Hey King! This ordering around nonsense is getting annoying!" Saki pouted, "Why don't you just go ride off and be all mighty?!"

"Honestly, I would try to go deal with this myself, but I have responsibilities here," Alm sighed before another soldier came by, "I'll help out with the crops in a bit. I'll get to organizing these lances first."

"Now I'm slowly taking back on what I said about your guts," Saki denounced heard a door open abruptly as a man came in and fell to his knees. This man was clearly tired and dehydrated with dirt covering him.

"PYTHON?!" Alm shouted as he immediately stopped what he was doing and ran to the man.

"Oh gods!" Celica added as she took out a small staff and made it glow at Python.

"Good gods, what happened?" Alm asked, "Get him some water!"

"Will you believe me when I say that we were attacked by an army of Terrors?" Python gasped as he is slowly recovering.

"I'm afraid we got no choice," Celica answered as she pointed towards Saki, "We even met one as of late."

Saki whistled, "Wow, you look fine for some medieval dummy."

"Oh come on! They can talk now! First I see one crying and that same one won't stay down, now I see another one flirting with me!" Python hollered, "Are there any other tricks these Terrors have?"

"I can give you a kiss," Saki joked.

"Gods I'm exhausted," Python sighed.

"Easy friend," Alm assured, "This one is under our control."

"Hey beautiful! You mentioned another one that's crying. What's she like?" Saki flirted as Python got back on his feet.

"Let me guess, one of your friends?" Python assumed, "What are you up to?"

"I'm guessing that's Egghead if she got that red hair. I knew that she'll start bawling her eyes out over this!" Saki chuckled.

"You got me," Python shrugged as he was handed a cup of water and chugged it down, "But seriously, what are you and your friends planning?"

"I don't know, we were all dragged here because Shades wanted to show off his magic and here I am! I never wanted this so shove it!" Saki snapped.

"Oh ho! Pretty snappy for a Terror," Python grinned.

"I'm a f*cking zombie! ZOMBIE!" Saki snarled.

"Okay, break it up you two," Celica mediate, "We'll provide you a room Python."

Python stretched his arms, "Thanks your Highness. These things really pushed me to doing more than I should."

Celica guided Python to his room leaving Saki with Alm alone. The green haired king stood there and pondered what to do next as he had this stern face. After some thought, he finally have an idea on what to do.

"We will need to begin liberating Zofia Harbor of the Terrors or at least hold them off until they can be dealt with," Alm declared, "We might be able to get your friend Egghead along the way."

"That's great! So we get to go sword fighting and all with the undead?!" Saki squealed as the head seemed excited for the upcoming fights and violence.

"I'm afraid so," Alm replied.

Saki raised an eyebrow, "Afraid!? This should be your biggest chance to be badass!"

Alm sighed, "Saki, do you know what war is like? This isn't some fairy tale. I never fought in the previous war for glory but to go see the world. But I learnt the horror of war in the process."

"You do realize that this is against the undead and not some guy with a family," Saki challenged.

"I know, but there are lives on the line and that includes your friends," Alm affirmed, "For now, I'll need to make preparations to march as soon as possible."

Saki's eyes widen, "Oh no, does that mean…"

"More organizing," Alm grinned, "It will sadly take about a week since we need to get a bunch of men armed and ready for this upcoming raid as well as other diplomatic duties."

"Damn it!" Saki cursed.

…

Author's Notes: Well this one's an odd one. I think I went too dramatic or Ai, but I did have fun writing that part.

Also I should really get the other zombie girls in now since we only got about 4 out of the 7. Not really counting the dog. For sure the next chapter is going to dedicate some time to them.

As for my thoughts on Fire Emblem Echoes as a game, I really liked it and it's so beautiful with the music and voice acting. Sure it has some flaws, but I think it's the best 3DS Fire Emblem game as it took everything good about Awakening and Fates into one game.

If you Fire Emblem fans recognize these, I did added some quotes from the game so if you catch any, you get 10 points. I just like doing that.

Other than that, please leave a review as I am willing to chat with you all on this story.