Charlie: Yo, I'm back. Umm, nothing much to say…just part of me mass update and stuff. Last chapter yeah. And it's gonna be more humor than romance until the end. Oh and Fiora and Charlie are just gonna be support while Erk takes centerstage here. Yeah, tis from his point of view.

(Erk's PoV)

The trip has been so far one step short of a disaster. I have no idea why I consented to have these two accompany me. The only time when they're not yelling or arguing is when one of them is drunk…or when both of them are drunk, or when one of them is about to get drunk. I swear I have no idea we managed to get as far as we have with these two alcohol driven fools leading the way.

Currently, we have traveled a few days and we're approaching the first Tanian outpost town. According to Charlie, it's a fair sized city with walls and a gate and all that jazz, but he seemed confident that we'll be able to pass. I, however, doubt that we'll survive the first sighting.

Traveling with these two makes me wonder if I'll ever see Priscilla again. They never seem to take anything seriously, and yet they insist upon accompaning me to rescue her. Though Charlie may be the Prince of Tania…or so Fiora claims, He still is but a year older than I am. I wonder how he's putting up with the pressure.

As I looked across the road to the silent tactician riding swiftly beside me, I wonder what kinds of hardships he has had to endure to survive this far. Somehow, if I found out that my father had done what his had, just keeping my sanity would seem like a chore, yet this man here takes it calmly and acts as though all is right with the world.

But all is not right. Priscilla isn't by my side, and Nergal still wants to destroy the world, which really makes me wonder what good will it do for Charlie to help me rescue Priscilla if because he was absent at the final battle, Lord Eliwood, Lord Hector and Lady Lyndis aren't able to defeat the madman Nergal. I prayed that this won't be the case as our rescue mission would be all a pitiful endeavor if such was the case.

As such thoughts plagued my mind day in and out, we somehow managed to make it to the outskirts of Tania. However, our journey was just beginning. Now we must find a way to get past the gate guards. I suggested just pretending to be travelers. Fiora suggested claiming to be mercs in search of work. Unfortunately, Charlie had the say for he was the "tactician." His idea however, was the most boneheaded piece of work I've ever had the misfortune to see.

"That is not going to work Charlie." Fiora told the tactician.

"Yeah, I have to agree. Your idea, no offense, is the most boneheaded idea I've ever heard."

"Yeah!" Charlie exclaimed. "But it's so simple…they won't be expecting it!"

"Charlie!" Fiora screamed this time, not caring if anyone overheard. "You want to bribe them with your retarded alcohol! Like they aren't going to notice!"

"Trust me!" Charlie assured us. "It'll work."

With that the soon-to-be-dead tactician turned from us and headed towards the Tanian guards. The episode that followed was both funny, yet rather saddening.

"Hello boys." Charlie said approaching the guards. "How are ya?"

"Err…fine…" the guards replied. "Sir, I'm going to have to ask for some identification."

"Ehh, don't worry about that." Charlie said, smiling smugly. He then opened his coat like one of those crack dealers. I could hear Fiora smack her forehead. "So…see anything you like?" Charlie continued

The Tanian guards looked at one another and blinked. "Err…" The stammered. "Sir? I'm afraid we'll have to take you in."

Fiora and I panicked. This was not turning out good. So quickly we hitched up the horses and rode headfirst towards the gate.

"What? Come on! You know you want this!" Charlie said, trying to sell his case. The Tanian soldiers weren't impressed as they approached him with a straight jacket.

"Come on now…" They coaxed. "We don't want to hurt you, we just want to throw you into the nut- err I mean put you in a nice home where you can play with lots of other looney's- err I mean friends."

It was then that they noticed me and Fiora riding full speed towards them, armed to the teeth. Well, it was hard to miss Fiora on her Pegasus with that huge lance sticking up like a beacon.

"INVASION!" They yelled as they grabbed their arms. Charlie, seeing that the situation wasn't going as well as he planned, immediately ran back and mounted his horse that tagged along beside me. I for one was shocked that the man could mount a galloping horse effortlessly, yet not be able to swing a sword without straining something. It was a concept still unknown to mankind.

We didn't waste much time, yet we didn't want to kill anyone either. So after successfully disarming the first two guards, we rushed right in. In hindsight, I should've realized that inside the fortress, there would be like tons more soldiers just waiting for us, but unfortunately neither I nor Fiora and Charlie saw it coming in the heat of the moment. Our obvious fate? We were surrounded faster than you can say Lycia.

"Okay, what are you three jokers doing?" A burly looking captain said as he held out his sword. "First lets drop the weapons."

I slowly tossed my tome down and watched as Fiora dropped her lance. Charlie, well, he was happy to let go of his 'oh so heavy' sword. After making sure we were properly disarmed, the captain spoke again.

"Okay, I don't know who you three are, but if you're trying to invade Tania for another province, you've got the wrong town. This city's been in rebellion against Tania since…god knows when. However, if you're Tania's men…I suggest you get out before you get hurt." The captain menaced with his sword.

Charlie took the chance. "Wait…so you're not with Tania?"

"Hell no!" The captain said. "That bastard has taxed us into oblivion. We want him out of office."

"Really?" Charlie said. "So…what would you do if you succeeded? From what we've seen, overthrowing him won't be hard since he has like literally zero support from anyone."

"Well…" The captain said, clearly in a quarry. "Umm, actually, we don't know yet. Probably set up a temporary government until the Lycian Council appoints a new Marquess. Right now though, we are trying to see if we can search out the second option."

Apperently, this phrase peaked Charlie's interest. I, not a person of politics, understood about three words in that exchange. Fiora looked equally puzzled. Yet Charlie didn't notice our unease and continued calmly.

"And what is this second option?"

"First you must tell me if you're with Tania or not."

"We're not. Our friend's been kidnapped by that man and we're trying to get her back. I'm sorry we attacked you guys, weren't expecting Tanian soldiers in full on rebellion against him."

"Heh, it's quite alright." The captain said warmly, sheathing his sword. "You're not the first one. Sometimes we wonder why we still have these Tanian uniforms, but it serves to keep Kheniph off his guard."

"Yeah, I've heard he's a simple man. Anyways, you gonna tell me your plan? Maybe we can help." Charlie said.

"Well, years ago, the heir to the throne of Tania, Prince Kheniph Charles III disappeared just before Marchioness Evanescenca gave birth to her son."

Instinctively, my grip on the reigns tightened. I could see Fiora visibly jump and Charlie turn slightly pale. Fortunately no one noticed. After the initial shock, I found myself trying to hold back the laughter at hearing Charlie's real name. I made a note not to make fun of him though, it could end in my death.

"Yes…" Charlie said just as calm as before. "Go on?"

"Well, a few years back, Marchioness Evanescenca took her newborn daughter and ran away, taking refuge in Khathelet. The Marchioness took her in graciously and has been affording her protection. Kheniph has no way of getting to her now, but the move has made the man even more cynical. Now without an heir nor any woman who will have him…he must either order girls to be his mistress or find his first son again. If we can find him before Kheniph does, then Kheniph is sunk. However, if Kheniph finds him first, then there is a chance that he will turn his son to his ways."

"I see…" Charlie said.

"Yeah, so right now, we are devoting our energies to finding him. The lad was a kind soul. If we can find him, then perhaps Tania will finally find peace. But now, nothing's for sure. It's been five years. The boy surely has changed in apperence, and could be dead by now."

"Ahh…" Charlie said. "Well, I hope you find him. Meanwhile, if you can afford us a place to spend the night, I'll do anything in my power to help. My companions and I have been all over the place I'm sure we can dig up some information for you."

"That would be splendid." The captain exclaimed before ordering his men to find us rooms.

Our rooms were just ordinary apartments. It just so happens that they had three spare rooms. So we kindly accepted the rooms. That night…I went to see Charlie.

When I entered his room, I immediately saw him throw a blanket over what looks like a bottle of liquid.

"AHH! I WASN'T DRINKING IT!" he yelled.

I stood there and blinked, wondering why he was being weird. It was a while before he noticed that it was I who entered.

"Oh…it's you." Charlie said when he realized. "Come in and have a seat. What can I do you for?"

I sat down and watched him take out his bottle.

"Err, I just wanted you to talk…but why'd you act so weird?"

"Ehh…Fiora acts all big sistery when she sees me drinking pure Ethanol." Charlei said. I nearly choked hearing that this man drank pure undiluted alcohol, but he was always the weird one.

"Ahh…well, I just wanted to know…why didn't you tell them?"

"Tell them what?" He asked…raising an eyebrow.

"You know…your identity."

"Pah…" Charlie spat as he took a swig of Ethanol. "I dun wanna be a marquess…I don't know half the stuff that makes politics. Hell, I might just turn this place into a massive winnery. Mm…Tanian Merlot…"

Seeing that our fearless tactician was obviously drunk beyond drunk…I proceeded to remove the bottle of ethanol from him and tuck him into bed. He's had a long day…and he'll probably have a massive hangover from the pure ethanol he was drinking.

Afterwards, I walked out only to meet Fiora.

"How's he doing?" She asked

"Meh…he just downed an entire bottle of this." I replied handing her the bottle of laboratory ethanol.

Fiora sighed. "I worry about him… He says he drinks for the hell of it…I think he drinks to escape. I've notice that ever since his identity became known to us…he started drinking more and more potent alcohols…it won't be long before he gets to pure rubbing alcohol…"

I nodded and watched as Fiora entered Charlie's tent. I always wondered if those two liked each other or not, but knowing Charlie, he won't admit it even if he did. They're funny together though. I walked back to my own apartment, taking a quick glance back to see Fiora emerge from Charlie's tent with various bottles in her hand before going in to sleep.

The next morning, I was woken up by Charlie's screams of bloody murder. I raced out to see him in a nasty head to head spat with Fiora.

"WHY'D YOU TAKE IT ALL!" He was yelling.

"BECAUSE YOU'RE GONNA KILL YOURSELF IF YOU KEEP DRINKING IT!" Fiora snapped back. I groaned as several villagers and resistance soldiers came over to either break up the fight or take bets over the winner.

The fight eventually was broken up, but hostile feelings between Charlie and Fiora remained. When we left the town later that morning, neither was speaking to the other and rode on opposides of the rode. I sighed, having been forced to ride between the two and their constant glaring.

I endured this constant torment all the way to the castle city Tania. Upon arriving, Charlie and Fiora miraculously dropped their grudges and worked together to sneak in. I spent the better part of half an hour banging my head against the stone wall. After stabling our horses and Fiora's pegasus, we passed for ordinary Tania merchants seeking entrance. The soldiers, no longer caring if we're assassins, didn't even bother asking for papers and waved us in. After entering, my face fell. The city was huge, with a gigantic fortified castle in the middle. I wondered if we'll ever find Priscilla.

Fortunately, Charlie seemed to intrinsically know where everything is. But then it shouldn't have surprised me. This Lord Kheniph didn't seem like the kind of person to care for details. Swiftly, we moved among the lifeless crowd and arrived at the castle.

Now the trick was to get inside the castle. I suggested just going in, since everyone was against the Marquess anyways, but Charlie had another thought.

"Umm, bad idea Erk. He does have SOME supporters…supporters who have master assassins. That's why this town isn't in full on rebellion yet…"

"…well, isn't that just dandy?" I growled. "How come every super villian has to have some super power or a super powerful friend!"

"I dunno." Fiora shrugged. "But maybe we could pass as palace workers?"

That was just about the dumbest idea I've ever heard; it didn't have the slightest chance of working. However, I bit my tongue and went along. Nobody ever said that getting inside was going to be easy. Unfortunately for my ego, Fiora's plan worked…amazingly. The guards didn't even seem to care about checking us, and did a simple pat down on Charlie and me to make sure we're not armed. Obviously they didn't find my "books" threatening.

So we got inside. Now our problem was in where to go first. Charlie and Fiora suggested going after the Marquess first, but I needed to get Priscilla. So we ended up heding somewhere towards the throne room and dungeon, hoping that Kheniph was with Priscilla.

When we got to the dungeon, the only person we found was a very lackluster guard, who basically didn't even care when we told him we were trying to break Priscilla out. I had to sigh at the state of loyality in this province.

So we headed for the throne room. My first impression of the throne room was somewhere between "the hell?" and "this is a throne room?" It was a very sad excuse for a throne room. Sadly, as we walked in, nobody was in it either. We searched the area for five minutes and determined that there weren't any secret doors and got ready to leave…but as we turned back towards the door, Fiora and Charlie both froze. I looked to them with puzzled looks, but when I followed their fearful gazes, I found that our path was blocked by a rather nasty looking man.

"So…I see you've come back."

I wasn't quite positive, but I'm willing to bet my life that that is the Marquess. What I wasn't really sure was who exactly he was talking to. He wasn't looking at Charlie or Fiora specifically.

"…I don't plan on staying…" Charlie replied.

"Hah." The man laughed. "I was hoping I could change your mind."

With that he strolled into the room, closing the doors behind him. In one fluid motion, he walked up to the throne and sat down. "So, am I correct that you want your friend back?"

Charlie, Fiora and I nodded in unison.

"Well, of course you can have her back…if you leave her behind." He said pointing at Fiora.

"Fine!"

I jumped at the response, but then suddenly registered that it was a female voice. I looked at Fiora to see her staring up at the man with intense eyes.

"Fiora!" I said. "Don't."

"No…it's my fault…so get Priscilla and don't worry about me."

I was torn. Though I loved Priscilla, I couldn't just abandon a comrade just like that. Charlie apperently felt the same way as he stepped between Fiora and his father with his sword drawn. His movements were awkward as usual when he tries to wield a weapon.

"No… I won't let you. You will let Priscilla go…and you will NOT have Fiora…even if I have to fight you…I won't let you."

"HAHAHAHAH!" The man's laughter rang out.

"Charlie! You can barely lift that thing, you expect to beat me?"

"…Or die trying."

Fiora and I gasped in unison, before we had a chance to protest, the Marquess had a sword in hand. Charlie stood his ground, but his face was that of both courage and fear.

"…Guys…" he said. "Once this starts, there's a secret door to the left corner of this room. That leads to a secret dungeon…go and save Priscilla, and then whatever you do run like the wind from this place."

"Charlie! But you…" Fiora stammered.

"Don't worry about me! I've lived long enough…just get outta here and go regroup with Eliwood. Fargus will be waiting for you at Badon."

"Charlie…"

"FIORA! JUST SHUT UP AND GO! PLEASE!"

This time I saw tears in his eyes. The Marquess wasn't a pushover. Charlie nearly buckled from the first blow, and the second blow sent him into the wall. Fiora screamed out and tried to block the Marquess from killing his son, but I made the tough choice. Grabbing Fiora, I pulled her towards the secret door Charlie pointed out.

"…Leave him…he'll never forgive you if you die helping him…"

Fiora, though reluctant…turned her back and followed. I could hear her sob silently. I couldn't blame her, I too was sobbing a bit. The tactician, though a drunk bastard, was a fun guy who liked everyone. We couldn't bear to see him go like this…but now, there was nothing to be done.

We arrived at the dungeon. I saw a old portly man talking to a red haired figure in a cell. I immediately recognized her hair.

"Priscilla!" I cried out.

Priscilla and the old man looked up. They both smiled.

"You friends?" The old man asked Priscilla.

Priscilla nodded her tearful but smiling face. The man took out a set of keys and unbolted the cell. Before I knew what had happened, she tackled m into the ground. I was nearly suffocated by her hug, but I didn't cared. I knew then that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, and being in her embrace took me from reality.

Until a blood curling scream from upstais brought me back.

"What was that!" Priscilla asked urgently.

Fiora, with tears in her eyes, said grimly one word… "…Charlie…"

I looked at Priscilla. "He's holding off the Marquess by himself…He…"

Priscilla's face turned into one of worry when she realized what our idiot tactician had done. The old man placed a hand on her shoulders.

"…I know a way out of the city underground…if you want to leave now…I can show you the way…but…if you don't…" He pulled out a heavy looking magic tome from his robes. "Here's you Fimbulvetr that was in your cloak miss."

I gasped, wondering how Priscilla found a Fimbulvetr tome.

"Oy…" Fiora cringed. "…the bloody tome that started it out."

"What do you mean?" Priscilla asked. I too was curious… "Didn't Lord Pent give this to Charlie to use?"

"…No…" Fiora said…"I got it…"

Fiora quickly breezed through a story that had both Priscilla and I shocked to our bones.

"…So…what do we do now?" Priscilla asked after she finished.

Fiora looked at the escape route…and back up the stairs before pulling out a lance. "I'm going up…you two go if you want." With that she turned and left.

I looked at Priscilla. We both turned and looked at the old man.

"Don't worry, this escape route ain't going anywhere." He said with a wink.

Priscilla and I smiled before taking out respective tomes and running up the stairs. When we arrived, the sight was quite nasty. Charlie basically laid in a pool of blood. His arms and legs were soaked scarlet. Fiora was struggling against the Marquess' sword. I panicked at the sight of Charlie's blood…but suddenly a voice rang out next to me.

"…and encase this foe in the ice of judgement!"

Suddenly, an artic wind flowed towards the Marquess and a gigantical block of ice engulfed him. Priscilla slumped. I leaned over to give her support before limping over with her to check up on Charlie. Fiora was already busy wrapping up his wounds with strips of her dress.

"Is he going to be okay?" I asked.

Priscilla handed me a healing stave. "He should…but get to work. I can walk."

I tenatively let go of her and grabbed the stave. As Fiora and Priscilla carried the unconscious Charlie out the castle to a nearby inn, I constantly held the heal stave over him, hoping that he'd be okay.

Night fell and Charlie stablized. Priscilla and I still constantly worked our heal staves into oblivion though. Fiora had gone out to gain information. Now that the Marquess was dead, the city is in an uproar, an uproar of joy and celebration that is. I sighed at the sadness of it all.

Sometime early in the morning, before the sun rose, I heard a gentle stirring from the bed. I leaned over and saw that our idiot tactician was awake.

"Ugh…where am I?"

"Shh…it's okay…you're alright."

"Erk?…what?"

"Don't worry…your dad's dead now…"

Charlie said nothing except sink into the bed, relieved.

"You idiot." I continued. "I don't recall any of us giving you permission to die."

"Heh…" Charlie laughed. "It wasn't something I enjoyed doing yano."

"Whatever…" I said. Then I heard a gentle knock at the door. "Come in."

Fiora entered. "Is he…" She froze.

"yeah…she's awake." I said before getting up and walking past Fiora. "I'll…leave you two alone."

I couldn't resist the little smile, and soon regret it as a pillow and Fiora's hand collided with my head. I stumbled out of the room and headed for the one Priscilla and Fiora had shared. We didn't have enough money, so we only got two rooms, but somehow, I don't think anybody cared.

Priscilla was awake when I entered.

"Hey…is he alright?" She asked.

"Yeah…he just woke up."

"Really? That's good."

"Yeah…"

"…say Erk.." She said as I sat down on the other bed.

"Yeah Priscilla?" I asked. "What's wrong. You seem ill at ease." And she did.

"Erk. I'd like to thank you for your service."

"Eh?" It took me a while to realize what she was talking about. In light of all that's happened, I forgot that I was her "escort."

"I hired you to protect me." She refreshed my memory. "And your contract ends today."

"Eh?" I vaguely remember when my contract ended, but her words brought it back. "Ah…now that you mention it, I suppose it does. But what do you plan to do now?"

"I… am in debt to Lord Eliwood. I intend to follow him until this is all over." She replied.

"Umm" I flailed around for something that could let me go with her. "Perhaps you might extend my contract…?"

"No… regretfully, I cannot. I left on this journey without my family's permission. Even were I to keep you on with me…I'm afraid I can't pay you…"

"I see…" My mind was made up. "Then, there is nothing to be done about it. My contract with you ends now Priscilla…"

"…" Priscilla was silent. I could see soft tears come from her eyes.

"Well, then. Shall we be on our way as soon as Charlie heals?" I said, smiling.

"What?" Priscilla jumped. "But…Erk…you…huh!"

She was confused…but she need not be. "Priscilla…I'm afraid…that…through out this journey…that I…" I could feel my face turn red. "…have grown quite…fond…of… you. And…I don't care if I'll stave for the rest of my life…I'll protect you until the end of time."

Priscilla didn't move after my embarrassing speech. I felt that she thought I was a complete idiot…but soon I was surprised when she tacked me into a hug again.

"AHH!" I yelled.

"Oh Erk…" She said… "…I'm so happy."

My heart soared. "…me too…" Then I wrapped my arms around her and held her tightly. As we lay there, on that bed. Our hearts were one, and I knew that we will never again be apart.

"…I love you Priscilla."

"I love you too Erk…forever and always."

The end

Charlie: Yep…again what happens between Charlie and Fiora is a mystery…who knows… umm…well, some people care, some don't. Anyways, that's the end of this little story. Hope y'all enjoyed. Bleh, if you really want me to extend this one more chapter…tell me. Otherwise, I'm content with letting you guys use your imagination. Just tell me how you want our "Secondary pairing" to turn out. (Yes, no, murder, one dies…etc) Anyways…this'll be the first of a two-three day 4 fic upload.