Charlie: Hello, yeah, sorry for the EXTREME lack of updates for this. Anyways, I had AP exams so don't kill me…please? Anyways. This fic is gonna take a twist in this chapter and start heading towards the end. So thanks for sticking with me and umm, enjoy.


Hope and Dispair

The assassin pair meandered around the cemetery. The entire city of Ostia was mourning the death of a leading scientist, and his wife and kids. As they stood witness to the burial, they wondered why so many officials of the upper governmental echelons were present. Presently, Audrey bumped into the Mage General of Etruria and his wife.

"Oh sorry sir." She quickly apologized.

"It's okay…" The purple haired man said solemnly. "It's rough on all of us."

Audrey didn't have any words so she nodded her head.

"Umm…if you don't mind me asking…why is the Mage General of Etruria at a funeral for a Lycian Scientist?" Audrey asked.

"Good question…" Erk replied. "It's a long story, but nobody knows that the wife of the man was the tactician of Lord Eliwood's armies during that struggle with Nergal."

"What!" Audrey said shocked.

"She hid herself well, but in the end, I guess someone noticed her." Erk said.

"Ahh…" Audrey said thoughtfully.

Just then, Kiyoko yanked Audrey roughly away and lead her towards where the graves were being filled.

"OW! Hey what's the rush?" Audrey asked trying to gain her balance.

"HIM!" Kiyoko said pointing to a man whose face was streaked with tears.

"So? That's just some relative…holy…Elimine…" Audrey noticed who was crying. "Is it really him?"

"If it is…then he changed…" Kiyoko said.

The crying man stood up and walked silently away from the graves, now completely filled. He turned and Audrey saw a clear view of his face.

"Dude, he looks different." Audrey said.

"He's no longer scary beyond all reason?" Kiyoko offered.

"Yeah, that. So…any ideas?" Audrey said.

"None whatsoever. Plus I'm almost positive that he killed the scientist." Kiyoko said.

"What!" Audrey said incredulously. "Whoever killed those two also killed an entire block of people! If he could do that, why would he hire us!"

"But think about it." Kiyoko said. "He disappears for a couple of days saying he had some business he needed to take care of in Ostia, then when he comes back, these people are dead."

"But his own relative?" Audrey asked. "No man is that heartless."

"I'm not sure if he is a man anymore…" Kiyoko said. "I have a bad feeling about working for him."

"Well, what can we do?" Audrey asked. "It's either stick it through the end or he kills us. Either way, we'd probably die. At least the militia is less efficient than he would be."

"No, we could turn ourselves in." Kiyoko said.

"Hell no!" Audrey said fiercely. "I don't want to go to prison! We're ASSASSINS Kiyo, we'd be on death row faster than I could trip!"

"No…we offer to help catch the culprit…assassins have to be hired." Kiyoko said.

"We'd still go to prison." Audrey said.

"I'd rather go to prison, then get tortured to death by that man. At least the Ostian Militia grants us our Miranda Rights." Kiyoko said. "That man probably won't hesitate to rape, torture or in any other way make our deaths as gruesome and painful as possible."

"…I hope you're right Kiyo." Audrey said.

"I know I am. Now lets get some rest. We'll go tonight."

The two assassins silently filed away. Across the courtyard, a tear streaked pair of eyes followed the two, the owner of the eyes wonder why the two looked so familiar.


Rath and Guy arrived at the Ostian court right after the funeral services. Hector welcomed them warmly. Unfortunately, the pleasantries had to be kept to a minimum. The country still faced a biological terror. Hector had to unfortunately call a complete quarantine with cooperation from the Bern army. The hot zone where the virus raged was now officially a restricted zone. Anyone caught trying to go in or out would be shot on sight without warning, and have their bodies burned by flaming arrows.

"The Northern Territories are still safe." Guy reported. "As far as I know, Tania is as far as the virus went. You quarantine is working Hector."

"Yeah, but we can't keep this up forever." Hector noted.

"Yes." Priscilla clarified. "Unless we find a cure, we must keep the citizens inside…and let them die out."

"I still don't get it." Erk said. "None of it makes sense. This virus should've ran out of hosts the minute you stopped food shipments from Khathelet. I couldn't have just suddenly gone airborne. And even if it did, it wouldn't have traveled THAT far in that short amount of time. From what happened to Heath, I assume there were virus particles just floating above Tania airspace. That doesn't make sense."

"Nothing makes sense right now." Serra said. "We need to find the source… otherwise none of the healers can do anything about this."

Just then, a guard interrupted. "Sirs, there's a pair of young girls outside wanting to turn themselves in for some kind of murder. They're demanding to talk to you, said it was important."

"What? I don't have time to play games." Hector said. "Send them away."

"No wait!" Priscilla said. "Lets hear them out. Maybe they can help us."

"Murder? We're talking a bioterrorist out there!" Hector raged.

"No! Don't you remember? The mysterious murders related to the scientists in charge of the projects?" Priscilla said.

"Oh…" Hector remembered. "Hmm… okay, lets here what they have to say, since we aren't going anywhere anyways."

Silently, the guards led two shackled young girls into the room. Neither looked a day over seventeen.

"So…what is your story?" Hector asked.

The girls looked at each other, and told their story, a wild tale of murder and madmen, and a religious crusader. As the girls told their story, things began to piece together for the council seated at Ostia.

"…so, you're telling me that you murdered Khathelet scientists and attempted to do so to others as well?" Hector asked at the end. "And you're telling me that your employer was some mad religious nut trying to 'eradicate' the evils of science?"

Audrey and Kiyoko nodded.

"Tell me, what was the name of your employer again?" Hector asked.

The two young assassins looked at each other. "Charlie Wu." They repeated loudly in unison.

The sharp intake of breath by everyone seated was heard by all.

"Ladies…. you're accusing the brother of the murdered scientist we buried today of being a bioterrorist." Hector said. "That man is another respected member of the scientific community before his wife died a year ago and he retired. If you're wrong, both of you would be drawn and quartered for treason."

Audrey and Kiyoko nodded. "We are well aware of that. But in our minds, we have no doubt that this man is the culprit."

"If you are sure." Hector said. "I think we need to discuss this further. Erk, Priscilla, you take these ladies and interrogate them. The rest of us will find out how to deal with the accusation."

Without emotion, Erk gestured for the two assassins to enter a side room. Priscilla followed behind and closed the door.

"So, you realize what you're doing?" Erk asked. "Murder is a serious crime here. As is attempted murder. There is a chance that you both would go on the gallows."

The girls gulped.

"However." Erk said. "Since you accused an upstanding citizen, we must determine the veracity of your claims. But right now, you're either going in for treason or murder. I suggest you make it easy by telling the truth."

Audrey and Kiyoko nodded.

"Okay, first of all, why do you accuse this man?"

Audrey answered first. "Well, he was the man who employed us. He explicitly told us his name was Charlie Wu."

"And, the fact that he disappeared to Ostia right when his brother was murdered." Kiyoko added.

"Interesting. And the fact that it could've been a coincidence never occurred to you two?" Erk asked.

"It did…but it was too unlikely. The man gave off an evil aura when we met with him. Different from the mourning man earlier today. He was…old, cracked, mad, insane…scary beyond all reason." Audrey replied.

Erk sat there for a long time. "Hmm… okay….here's the deal." Erk said when he finally spoke. "I see no malice inside of you, so I will assume you're telling me the truth. I will advise Hector to at least investigate. But however, you my friends, have two paths to choose."

"They are?" The girls asked.

"Either you go to prison for a long time, or help us catch him and then go to prison for a long time, but you two do so feeling better about yourselves." Erk said.

"…it's a lose-lose situation." Kiyoko commented.

"No choice girls. I wish it were the other way. But anyways, will you help us? I might be able to get you two out of a long sentence if you do."

After a while, both girls nodded. "Yes."

"Good…now unfortunately, I have to keep you here at the castle for tonight. I'll see to it you get comfortable beds." Erk said.

"That would be nice…" Audrey smiled.


"So, what do you think Erk?" Hector asked later when he met Erk in secret.

"I don't think they're lying." Erk said. "I think the older Dr. Wu may be leading a double life."

"This is insane. How could that man do that? They were his only family!" Hector said.

"I don't know…but I also suspect himbecaues I feel he's also involved in the Khathlati business." Erk said.

"Oh Elimine!" Hector said. "Why?"

"Simple… he was related to the deaths, kidnappings and attempted deaths of all the scientists working on Khathlati." Erk explained. "Plus… his wife died a year ago."

"What does she have to do with this?" Hector asked.

"Easy…" Erk said. "Charlie obviously didn't start out as a mad killer. His first kill, his wife, was his biggest blunder."

"How so?"

"Remember? She died a year ago right when Khathlati was spreading. And the way she died? 29 stab wounds to the back? Do you not see a pattern?" Erk asked.

"…stab wounds to the back?"

"Three people had died that way, all connected to him and Khathlati." Erk said. "Hector, face the facts, he's loaded with shady details."

Hector sighed. "Did the girls agree to help us?"

"Yeah…"

"Okay, we're paying Dr. Wu a visit tomorrow. If this is true, then may St. Elimine help us all." Hector said.

"No…if it is true." Erk said. "Then Elibe may already be doomed."


Audrey and Kiyoko slept fitfully that night. The next morning, they went to the audience chamber to accept punishment.

Hector sat on his throne. The seat on his right was empty, though a ornate lance rested against it.

"You two." Hector said without preamble. "Are arrested for the charges of murder, attempted murder, and obstruction of justice. However, if you assist us in the capture of the real culprit, your charges will be lessened. Will you do it?"

The girls both nodded their heads.

"Okay." Hector said. "You will go with a small strike force I assembled. Meet then in the briefing chamber in thirty minutes. May Elimine help you."

With that, the girls were ushered out of the room.

In the briefing chamber, Kiyoko and Audrey met with their interrogators from last night, Erk and Priscilla, as well as two Sacaen plainsmen named Rath and Guy, as well as the cleric Serra.

"Okay…you two go in first. We'll cover you rear." Erk finished explaining the details of the search. "If we find anything suspicious, my warp stave will teleport Guy to the nearby militia force set aside. We will then take this man. Be careful though, there is no telling what he may or may not do. Good luck everyone, God Speed."

The briefing ended and everyone prepared to leave.

The travel wasn't that long. Charlie's residence was just on the outskirts of Ostia. It was a small laboratory like building. There was an eerie silence about the place. As the force walked into the house, everyone drew their respective weapons.

The living room was pillaged beyond a state of recognition, as was every room the force came to. It was obvious that something bad happened at the place.

"Looks like you two were right…" Erk mumbled softly.

Then they came upon the door to the basement. Slowly, cautiously, Audrey turned the knob, and the team filed down into the basement.

The basement was layered into three levels as marked by a map on one of the stairwells. The first level looked like a massive organic garden, growing various exotic plants. The group didn't find anything in the first level.

However, the second level was much more suspicious. The room was filled with cabinets of files and vials of deadly looking liquid.

"Any of this look familiar to anyone?" Erk asked.

"None of us are scientists moron!" Serra replied back. "Lets keep moving. Something's fishy here."

Just then, they heard a thud from the back. Everyone tensed and gripped their weapons. They slowly moved to the back of the laboratory. There, they found a huge burlap sack filled with something moving inside. Cautiously, Kiyoko poked it with the hilt of her dagger.

The lump in side the duffel responded by moaning something. Kiyoko recognized the sound to be human.

"It's a person! Get him out!" She cried.

Quickly, the team untied the duffel bag and looked inside. Lying inside, bound and gagged, was a thin emaciated man with dark hair and intelligent eyes.

"Holy…it's the missing researcher from Khathelet...he was supposed to be dead!" Serra muttered.

Quickly they untied him and took out the gag. The man was thin, but he still had sufficient energy. His captive clearly tried to keep him alive. Wasting no words, the man pointed towards the stairs.

"Get out! Before he finds you!" He croaked.

The team was at a loss for action when a cold piercing voice rang out.

"So…you discovered my little secret. Hehehe…how amusing."

From behind one of the shelves, a robed man with blood shot eyes and gray streaked hair stepped forward.

"Pity that you'll die soon though." The man said.

"Charlie…" Kiyoko gasped.

"Ahh Kiyoko." Charlie said. "But then, this was expected. I knew you would turn from me."

"You…how could you?" Audrey asked. "Your brother! Your sister-in-law! Your nephews and nieces! Why!"

"And your wife!" Erk said. "You killed you own wife! Why are you doing all of this?"

"SILENCE!" Charlie bellowed. "You have no need to know of my plans."

"No, because you're under arrest." Serra said. "For murder in the first degree, treason, and threatening the security of the Lycian League."

"Hahahahahahaha." Charlie laughed. "This is a joke right? There IS no League! There is nothing but sinners and hellspawn in this land!"

"You're the sinner here!" Erk spat. "A man who killed his own kin to meet his ends. How could you do this? Do you know how many people are dying and suffering because of you?"

"Because of me?" Charlie said. "That is a laugh. This land was meant to be purged, so only the perfect, the devout would be left!"

"You're a madman!" Guy shouted.

"That I may be." Charlie said, and then he turned his bloodshot eye towards the group. "But I am a man doing the will of the Gods! Elimine's teachings were blatently ignored in this land. I am determined to purge it. And today, I shall start with you infidels!"

Suddenly, the man flashed six knives and flung it with deadly accuracy towards the group.

"SCATTER!" Kiyoko yelled before diving to the ground. Around her, people threw their bodies left and right to avoid the knives. Then Kiyoko heard an agonizing scream, and a terrible screech of despair.

"PRISCILLA!"

Kiyoko knew what happened and moments later; the trickle of blood that flowed across her vision confirmed her thought.

Picking herself from the floor, Kiyoko saw Priscilla's body, with the knife though her throat. Feeling a surge of anger, she looked around for the bastard responsible. Her eyes found the footprints on the dirty floor. Without thinking, she followed them. Behind her, she heard Erk's pounding footsteps and his war cry.

It was at that moment when Kiyoko knew that Charlie was going to die, one way or another.


The Ostian Militia surrounded the dank laboratory that was Charlie's house. They waited eagerly for any news from the strike team sent in. Suddenly, Serra appeared holding a warp stave and a emaciated man.

"Hurry!" Serra cried. "He's attacking us! Priscilla's already been…"

Serra choked in her sobs. The commander of the militia nodded and readied his men for attack.

"No!" The emaciated man yelled. "Don't!"

"What? Why?" The commander asked.

"You…can't go in there…" The man said. "His entire third floor is filled with rows upon rows of vials filled with every form of Khathlati you could imagine…one slip…and Ostia will be gone."

"Well then…what can we do!" The commander asked. "We need a solution right now!"

"There is none." The man replied. "If the strike team inside can't kill him…then the world will be lost."

"Elimine…" The commander swore. "It was supposed to be a simple mission."

"Unfortunately…you're fighting against a increasingly complex enemy…" the man managed before falling into unconsciousness. The commander looked to Serra for answers.

"Do as he says…all we can do now is wait. I doubt your entire force would be able to fit." Serra said.

"…the world is on the brink of destruction and all we can do is wait?"

"Unfortunately…things have a nasty knack for working out like this."


Charlie: Yeah, cliffhanger. If you can't tell, next chapter, it ends, and then the epilogue. I'll let you guys vote for who wins. Kiyoko and Erk, or Charlie.

Erk: Pick me!

Charlie: No, come on! Pick the evil dude! Anyways, yeah, review?