The next few months were spent traveling. They didn't encounter much fighting—it was fine, at first, but as they got closer to Plegia it started to get unsettling. Thankfully, though, they were able to make more progress than they had been.

Six months after they first set out, they reached Plegia. Unfortunately, they were greeted by the third group of Grimleal they had encountered since they left Ylisstol.

Morgan was the first to notice. "Eisso," he said.

"Hm?" Eisso followed Morgan's gaze, but couldn't see anyone.

And then he heard armored soldiers marching. He knew they weren't allies, either—everyone had gone silent. But the ominous sound still continued.

"Everyone, get out your weapons," Eisso said. "It might be another band of Grimleal. Our primary objective is to tire them out and move forward."

"Yarne and Nah should take the front, followed by Owain, Severa, Inigo, Kjelle, Gerome, Cynthia, Lucina, Malin, and I. Eisso, Laurent, Noire, Brady, and Kenzie can take the back and provide support at a distance." Morgan said, firm and confident. Everyone tried their best to get into position.

"Can I…stay in the back?" Lucina asked quietly.

Morgan looked over at Eisso, who nodded. While she would be better in the front with the others, where she could provide more support, Eisso knew that she didn't want to be any closer to the battle than she had to be. So with Eisso's nod, Morgan looked back at Lucina. "Okay. Try to protect them. You're still one of the strongest people we have."

"Thank you," Lucina said. "And I'll try."

Eisso led Lucina to the back row. Or, rather, the back group—there wasn't much organization. This was their third real battle; they're second was a few months ago, and had close to the same results as their first. Hopefully this one will be the same way.

The group waited, tense and anxious.

"H-how much are there?" Noire asked.

From beside Eisso, Kenzie started muttering numbers under her breath. "I can easily see forty, but there might be more."

Noire let out a small whimper. Lucina didn't look too sure of their victory, either. But Eisso refused to even consider this being the end. He refused to think, even for a second, that this was where they died.

"If you want," Eisso said, turning to Noire and Lucina, "Then you can leave the fighting to me and Laurent. And there's only enemies coming from Plegia—we can always retreat and think of a new plan."

"I'll fight," Lucina said. "I won't run away or stay behind." Noire nodded.

"Are you sure?" Eisso asked, directing the question mainly towards Lucina.

"Yes," Lucina replied.

Eisso nodded. He would've tried to smile, but he was afraid it would look forced. "Let's show them that we won't let them hurt us!"

Everyone, even those from the other groups, heard and cheered. Then they turned to their opponents, and took a defensive stance.

And the battle began. While they stayed close-knit at first, eventually they dispersed. Lucina pushed through with extreme force. Grimleal soldiers kept coming, but a few rallying cries made everyone fight harder.

Eisso was trying to keep up with Lucina. She seemed to have a goal in mind; and as he continued to follow her, he realized she was heading for the heart of the enemy battalion.

He was several paces behind her. But suddenly…she froze. Eisso rushed to catch up with her, just barely shoving her out of the way to block her from an attack.

"Lucina! What are you—"

Eisso followed her gaze and cut himself off abruptly. Mumbling orders to soldiers was the same assassin from the castle. When did she escape? How did she get ahead of them?

The assassin noticed Eisso and Lucina. "…hello, children," she said quietly. She was holding a bow, and aimed it at them. "And goodbye."

This time, Lucina dragged Eisso down to avoid the arrow.

"Get Morgan," Eisso said. "I can handle her."

"Liar," Lucina muttered. She pulled him out of the way of another arrow. "She'll kill you."

"And she'll kill both of us if you don't get us some sort of support," Eisso replied. "Go before I force you to. I'll keep her distracted."

Lucina hesitated, but after the assassin launched a third arrow, she left. Eisso tried his best to keep the assassin's aim—and most of the enemies attacks—off her.