A droll merchant named Merlinus now joins Eliwood's group. With Merlinus in tow, they set out for Laus the following day. 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.

"Father! Father! Eliwood and his companions have approached!" The son of Lord Darin came in rushing through the doors.

"What?" Lord Darin looked out of his castle window and noticed from afar, Eliwood and company. Enraged, he roared to Lord Ephidel. "Lord Ephidel, what is the meaning of this?"

"I suspect that perhaps Lord Helman was still alive when Eliwood arrived. Maybe he told them something..."

"NO! Then all our efforts are in vain! Aren't they?"

"No, Eliwood has no power. At worst, all he could ever do was to tell Marquess Ostia."

"As new as he is, Lord Uther of Ostia is a mighty man. Letting him know could be ruinous! Our rebellion has no hope."

Ephidel gleamed. "Well then, before Ostia knows anything, we must kill the lordling, won't we?"

Lord Darin gleamed. "I suppose. We may still have a chance."

Darin's son, Erik spoke. "They will not pass. Let me be the one to slay Eliwood, father."

Darin glared at him, questioning his ability.

Erik sighed. "Believe me, he's a trusting fool. He will lower his guard when he sees me. We were classmates in Ostia if you recall, Father. I will then kill him."

Lord Darin thought a bit, then spoke to Ephidel. "Erik may be on to something. I feel he has this under control."

"Lord Darin, if he fell, you do realize our situation would be worsened..." Ephidel began, but Darin raised his hand to silence him.

"Go, Erik. Kill Eliwood."

"Yes Father... " Erik bowed, then ran outside to mount his horse and prepare his troops.

To our travelers...

Sion scowled as he noticed the preparations for war just like the village magistrate had said. Not one of them had wanted to even enter the castle, and yet, to know the truth, they knew they had to. Sion, thinking of their dilemma over and over again, torturing himself, grew angrier and angrier of himself.

Matthew, noticing Sion's growing rage, nudged his friend in the shoulder. Sion sighed, then turned to Matthew, and smiled to conceal his growing anger. To try and calm himself down, Sion looked at his surroundings. Looking at the trees and sky always soothed his soul.

Sion smiled as he saw a small rabbit hop out from the bushes. However, the rabbit seemed to have startled Lowen's horse. Alarmed, the horse reared, whinnying loudly. Rebecca, losing balance with the raising of the horse, screamed and fell backwards into Lowen.

"Whoa! Calm down, settle!" Lowen yelled to his horse, but in trying to scare the rabbit off, the horse began to buck. Rebecca and Lowen, unable to stay mounted any longer, fell off and rolled underneath Lowen's steed. Both of them, looking up at the horse's chest, widened their eyes in fear as the horse's hooves seemed to fly at their faces slowly. Thinking fast, Lowen wrapped his arms around Rebecca and rolled from underneath to get away from the horse. A bit red at the face for holding her so close, he quickly let her go as soon as she was out of harm's way. He promptly stood up and watched as the rabbit disappeared into the woods as his horse finally calmed down. Rebecca shyly walked up beside Lowen and looked up at him, then to Eliwood, and then back at Lowen.

"Thank you." She quietly murmured, then remounted the horse after him.

"What was that?" Sion asked. Lowen, as he too mounted the horse, replied. "The rabbit must have spooked the horse, that's all."

Sion just sighed, accepting that answer. He then looked up at the sky and smelled the air. He frowned as he glared at the overhead clouds. He knew... He smelt the fresh scent of approaching rain.

Hector and Eliwood, both knew Sion sensed something. Hector particularly noticed that oddly enough, Sion has smelled the air, just like an animal.

Sion, feeling the stares upon him, turned to Eliwood and Hector.

"Eliwood, Hector... I think it's best to know that rain will soon approach, by guess is that by 2 hours or so, the rain will come."

Hector looked at Sion suspiciously. "How do you know that? We saw you look up at the sky intently. How are you able to sense the rain?"

Sion, a bit nervous, just grinned and replied. "Well, for me, I think I can recognize a faint smell, or a trace of the oncoming rain. Well, its not common, I will admit, but other people they claim to sense the rain in their bones. I wouldn't know, I can just smell it."

"Uh huh..." Eliwood began as he looked the tactician over. "Well, Sion, thank you for the alarm."

Sion nodded, then walked off and mounted with Lowen and Rebecca, smiling feeling a small, cold breeze upon him. As he felt the wind enwrap him, his thoughts were focused elsewhere. Memories flooded to his head. He then shut his eyes.

Everyone, noticing that Sion was slowly drifting into his own little world, said nothing as they pressed for the castle in absolute silence. Serra, who refused to stay quiet for even five minutes, screamed.

"I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE! WHY ARE WE ALL SO QUIET! IT'S ANNOYING ME!"

Matthew screamed back at her. "WELL, YOU'RE ANNOYING US!"

Before anyone could realize it, Matthew and Serra were exchanging furious words rapidly as they engaged in argument. Hector rolled his eyes and grabbed Serra by her neck collar and sat her on his lap. Despite the separation, they were still yelling in anger.

Sion clutched his hands into fists and shouted. "STOP!" Suddenly everyone became quiet and looked at Sion as he pointed ahead. "Someone's coming..."

Hector and Eliwood looked ahead. Hector scowled.

"Blech. I think that's Erik!"

"Erik? Truly?" Eliwood asked.

Hector looked ahead again and cringed in hate and disgust. "Yes, unfortunately."

"Keep your guard up at all times, everyone!" Sion shouted As Erik arrived.

Hector growled. "I cannot abide him. I must take my temporary leave."

Sion heard a cracking twig far, far off. He whirled his head in the direction of the faint sound.

"Then Hector, check the woods. I sense something rather uneasy. I heard something in the woods."

Hector nodded, then ran off with Oswin.

Erik galloped up to Eliwood and spoke, looking down at Eliwood, trying to hide his hate behind a forged smile.

"Eliwood, it has been far too long."

Eliwood, keeping a straight face and heeding Sion's warning, spoke. "What do you want, Erik?"

"Whatever do you mean? I only heard that my old classmate was arriving in Laus and I came to see you."

Sion scowled, knowing the lies that were being spoken. Eliwood, knowing deep down, Erik was lying and Sion could see right through him.

Erik continued. "By the by, would you happen to be heading to Ostia?"

Eliwood cautiously chose his words and suspiciously eyed Erik. "Why do you ask?"

Erik smiled. "Because, I thought you may have wanted to meet up with your companion, Hector. You two were close"

Eliwood too, ended up scowling with Sion. Erik continued on prying.

"How often do you talk? When was the last you saw that brute?" Eliwood cut in and interrupted as Sion walked up beside him.

"Erik, what do you want?" Eliwood asked. Sion then stepped up. Erik seemed to get scared as he approached.

This man's cloak... it resembles that of Ephidel's...

Sion spoke. "So far, everywhere we went, we have received nothing but news of Laus readying for war. What is going on?" He had a firm glare about him.

Erik about to break, took his horse another few steps back.

His eyes... they aren't like Ephidel's, and yet, why am I scared?

Eliwood kept his ground. "I won't budge or leave Laus until I know the truth."

Erik laughed, "Then I suppose you will not be leaving Laus alive! I was hoping you'd speak of Marquess Ostia... Eliwood! How I have waited for they day I can finally prove, I am the better man here! I want to kill you! Take your morality and crush it!"

Hector finally returned from his survey. "That's enough, you contemptuous peacock!"

Sion couldn't help but snicker as he heard Hector's insults.

Erik gasped. "No! You've already contacted Ostia!"

Hector grinned. "Maybe, or maybe not."

"Hector, what news have you of the woods?" Sion promptly asked.

Erik's face turned white. Hector reported to Sion.

"This clod was planning an ambush. There are soldiers hiding amongst the trees like pansies!"

Erik laughed. "You're trapped! There is no way you will live through this! I will finally show my father what I can do! I will make him proud!" Erik then kicked the side of his horse, forcing the steed to run off.

Serra growled. "Why do we ALWAYS get into trouble!"

Matthew scowled. "Aw, come on already Serra! It could get worse."

With that, the grey clouds overhead began to release their droplets of rain back to the earth upon the travelers' heads.

Serra folded her arms. "You just had to say something, Matthew."

Sion looked up at the sky, smiling lightly as the rain fell on his face. He then turned to look at his surroundings.

"There's a village over there. Maybe we can find some help, or maybe a back entrance to the castle if we are lucky." Sion said.

Hector and Eliwood nodded, then Eliwood called out to the alliance. "We rush to the village over there, be careful though. We are in battle!"

Avoiding the flying arrows, Sion rushed his troop into the village and everyone split up to the houses and questioned the townsfolk. The people, being afraid, said nothing and the travelers left empty handed.

Serra sighed, but she thought she saw someone familiar. As soon as she recognized him, she squealed, threw her arms in the air and ran his way.

"Ohmigosh! It's Erk! It's been SO long! What are you doing here?"

Erk turned to face the girls face, groaned and looked ill as he covered his own face.

"Oh... Serra. You are the last person I wanted to see..."

"Oh, that's so sweet! You wanted to see me again! Hey, I know! This is perfect. Come with us and lend us a hand, Erk." He threw her arms around him.

"Oh no..."

"Come on! Sion's here!"

"Sion... I will join you if you're fighting Laus."

Serra put her hands to her hips and frowned. "What are you babbling about? Make up your mind, will you?"

"My employer is hiding in a village south of here. If you'll help me protect her, I'll join up with you." Erk sad. Serra groaned, grabbed his hand and dragged him into battle.

"Come on already!" Serra screamed as she dragged Erk to the rest of the group.

Sion, smiling, greeted Erk.

"Long time, no see. How are you, my friend?"

Erk sighed and stared at Serra. "I could be better..."

Sion sighed. "I hope you are prepared to fight. We have a rather large number out against us."

Erk nodded, and explained his employer's situation. With that, Sion sent Lowen to the village down below. Lowen took a slight glance at Rebecca, who in turn, was looking back at him. Not understanding this, he shook it from his head and galloped south.

At the village...

A short red-headed girl with bright emerald eyes stared out of the village gates in the rain. She sighed in despair once she saw Lowen approach.

"I will not change my decision. Please tell the marquess not to send any more knights..." She said.

Lowen dismounted and held her hand to reassure her.

"Listen, Priscilla is it?"

Priscilla's eyes widened. "How did you know my name?"

Lowen spoke. "Erk told us. He spoke to my tactician and in turn, he sent me here to save you. He mentioned the marquess is trapping you. Come."

Priscilla gave an understanding nod, then took her mending staff with her as she rode off to return to Erk.

Erk beamed. "Mistress Priscilla!"

Serra growled. "You never called me, mistress..."

Erk explained. "She didn't drag me around like an animal!"

Sion laughed. "Welcome to the team, Priscilla."

Priscilla smiled. "Why thank you. Please, may I learn your name?"

"I am Sion."

Priscilla smiled. "Thank you, again."

Sion nodded, then spoke to everyone. "Ok. Now, first we have to fight our way through the woods. We can sneak up on Erik, and then while we have him in our custody, learn what we can of Laus's plans."

"Right. Sound advice." Eliwood said.

Sion suddenly heard something and froze. It sounded like something was flying. Approaching closer and closer. Sion turned and saw an arrow headed in his and Serra's way. Letting instinct take over, he shoved Serra out of he way as they both began to fall to the wet grass.

Serra, stunned and surprised by all this, froze as she saw the arrow fly over her face and skinned the right side of Sion's nose a bit. He winced as blood slightly trickled down his face as they landed, followed by the arrow hitting a nearby tree.

Sion gasped as he saw Serra underneath him. Flashbacks of his rescuing Lyn from Rath's arrow flew to him. Not wanting to relive that, he promptly stood up and left.

Serra stood up, not knowing what to say at that moment. She froze, and watched as everyone left.

Matthew called to her. "Come on, we will need your help!"

Serra nodded and flew to Matthew's side as he cut into an archer's back. Sion hid behind a tree as Hector kept hacking into a Laus knight. Sion shut his eyes tightly as he only saw blood from the other side fly his way.

Knowing that his new friends were in trouble, Sion leaped in the middle of Oswin's and an axewielder's battle. Sion stalled the axe for a moment while Oswin thrust his lance into the guy's mouth. Sion just stared as he saw the tip of the lance go through the opponent's head. Oswin then removed the lance and sighed.

"How I despise war..."

With that, they pressed on. They cut many of the opponents and Sion climbed up a tree to spy on Erik. He seemed rather distraught. He then called to Matthew.

"You know how to be sneaky. So, on 3, we jump and trap Erik with my cloak. 1, 2, 3!"

Sion and Matthew soared into the air. Before Landing, Sion undid his cloak and spread it, trapping Erik in as Matthew wrapped it tightly. Sion kicked Erik off his horse and watched as his steed fled. With that, Hector and Eliwood, followed by everyone, arrived on the scene. Hector grabbed the flailing Erik and tossed him over his shoulder and he walked into the uninhabited castle. He tossed Erik on the floor and watched as Sion's cape flew off of him. He was sniveling like a little child.

"Get up!" Sion shouted. He then took his cloak back and put it on.

Erik got up from off the floor and shouted. "You cannot treat a noble like this, you fiend!"

"Where is your father?" Eliwood crossed his arms. Oswin then returned from his search.

"Lord Hector, Lord Eliwood, Sion, there is not a sign of Lord Darin within the entire castle."

"So, I must assume he has fled and left somewhere else." Sion quietly said.

Erik's eyes went wide as he seemed to go pale. "Impossible!" he shouted. Erik then stood up.

His eyes began to water. "He wouldn't abandon me! He never would... No..."

He then looked around the room. Unable to control his tears, he threw his fists on the wall and screamed, his cry echoing around the empty castle halls.

"Ephidel!" He cried.

Sion's eyes widened.

Ephidel... now he's involved. Damn it, what the hell is the Fang up to?

Eliwood frowned as Hector grabbed Erik by his collar and smashed him against the wall.

"If you do not tell us everything you know and who this 'Ephidel' is, you will die right here right now!" Hector screamed.

"Hector!" Eliwood glared at him. Scowling, Hector put him down.

Sion sighed. "Erik, you must tell us everything."

Eliwood pleaded. "I need to find my father."

Erik, feeling miserable, slumped against the wall and sank to the floor. He brought in his legs to his chest and spoke.

"Ephidel came here one year ago. Then my father began to change. He irrationally became jealous of Ostia."

Hector scowled and Sion tried his best to keep his control and cover as he tried to take in all the information.

"My father wanted Ostia, and everything else. He wanted to rule Lycia... all of Lycia. Rebellion..."

"Rebellion?" Eliwood and Hector asked simultaneously.

"It seems as if Ephidel may have even possessed my father, call me odd. But somehow, he convinced father to rebel. He then sent other messengers to other marquesses."

He then stared deep into Eliwood's eyes.

"Your father, Lord Elbert, approved."

Eliwood's eyes widened, in shock from this. He felt his hear and a pain in it spread a numbness within him.

"No... no, not my father. He wouldn't He'd never agree to something like that!"

"You can believe me, or you can't. Either way, that's what I know. First Marquess Santaruz, then Marquess Pherae. He came here six months ago to seal the approval."

"No..." Eliwood dropped to his knees in disbelief.

Erik looked down at the floor now. "My father and yours argued violently that day. Your father never trusted Ephidel. He wanted him and the Black Fang out of Lycia.

Sion took a few steps back.

Someone tried to banish the Black Fang...

"Their opposite beliefs were too strong and your Lord Elbert left the castle. He then disappeared. I do not think he is still alive."

"NO!" Eliwood growled.

Sion remained silent as Hector boomed. "SHUT UP!"

"You wanted to know everything, and I told everything. My father is only Ephidel's puppet at this point. He will even watch me die at his whim now. He may have killed Lord Elbert."

Eliwood ran out, tears trailing his path. "Father!"

"Eliwood! Wait!" Sion called, but Hector followed him. Sion sighed as he stared at Erik.

Another victim the Fang has left in despair... somehow, although he is hardheaded, I pity him...

"Go." Erik simply said. Sion nodded and ran after Eliwood and Hector, his footsteps echoing along.

Outside the castle...

"I can't believe that he would support a rebellion. There has to be a reason..." Eliwood hung his head. Hector sat beside his childhood friend to comfort him. He put an arm around him.

"I agree. I can't believe any of this. My brother trusted Marquess Pherae. We have to find your father, then we will talk to my brother. OK?"

Eliwood put on such a sorrowful frown. "I'm so sorry Hector."

Hector stared at him for a moment. "Please, don't look so down. You will put down everyone else's hopes. Your father is alive. I'm sure of it."

Eliwood sighed and lay back on the wet grass in the rain.

"Black Fang assassins... Ephidel... I swear, I'll prove to everyone, my father's innocence!" Eliwood shouted.

Sion had been sitting on a rock the whole time, hearing their talk. The whole thing made his stomach feel uneasy. He slouched back and fell upon the wet grass and shut his eyes as he felt the rain beat down upon him.

Can't anyone just end it all? I need to get rid of the Fang. I jus have to stop the burden. I want my guilt to go away...

Sion sighed as he felt his body feeling cooled by the rain. His thought then drifted off.

I wonder how Lyn is doing... I really miss her...

Sion's head tilted to the side as he let out a sigh of weariness. He slowly drifted asleep underneath the rain, unable to wait any longer for Marcus and the Pheraen knights to finish camp.

Suddenly, he was in a grassy field in the rain. He felt someone grab his shoulder. He turned around and saw a young man, very much like himself look him in the eye. He had red hair and eyes, but a face very much like his, and a cloak very much like is own, except his head was hooded.

"Jaffar... what are you doing here."

Jaffar glared at him. His eyes were very much like his own at him, a stare of pure ice.

"Sion, I am here to finish what Ursula's servant failed to do himself."

Sion took a step back.

"You were once like me, you were a Fang member. You killed the greedy, you helped the poor. You betrayed us, you left. You will now deal the Fang's punishment. You will be killed, just as you killed others then."

"No!" Sion shouted. "Jaffar! Can't you see what's going on! You, and all of the Black Fang is being used! Even little Nino..."

"That is none of your concern..." Jaffar said. "You will die... and then I will kill your friends, and, then, your sweetheart."

"Leave Lyn out of this!" Sion screamed.

Jaffar then pulled out his blades and attacked Sion. Sion managed to block blow for blow.

"Sion!" A female voice called out to him. Sion turned his head around and saw Lyn in the rain, her hands folded and her face wearing a look of fear.

"Sion! Look out!" She called.

Sion turned to face Jaffar as he felt his blade plunge into his heart. Screaming in pain, Sion's cries echoed among the atmosphere as Lyn began to run towards him. Jaffar then pulled out the blade and watched as Sion fell dead to the floor.

"Sion! Sion, snap out of it!"

Sion snapped his eyes open and flung his hand over his heart. He then looked to fine Priscilla and Erk standing above him.

"You were having a nightmare. It looked like you were hurting. I noticed your scar... I'm sorry for looking, but it seemed it hurt badly."

Sion sighed. "It did, and sometimes, it does. I am sorry to have been a burden."

Erk left. Priscilla, however, placed her hand on his heart.

"Please, let me take care of it. I hate seeing people hurt. Besides, I owe you my life and my freedom. If Erk hadn't told you about me, I wouldn't be here with him or you."

Sion sighed, then took Priscilla's hand and slowly took it off of his chest.

"But..." Priscilla began and looked deeply into Sion's eyes with sympathy.

Sion spoke in a whipsery, low tone. "Some wounds, they will not heal."

"Please, Sion. Let me try."

Sion sighed and sat up in the tent they were in. "Fine, Priscilla."

Priscilla then stood in front of him. She raised he staff into the air as she recited the healing charm. The staff glowed, and so did Sion's cross-shaped scar on is chest. The glow then began to fade.

Priscilla beamed. "Done! Now, let's see."

Sion gave a weak smile, and then opened up his cloak and pushed down the neck of his loose shirt. Priscilla gasped in disbelief as she saw his scar still there.

"No... It's can't still be there... The spell, I tried..."

Priscilla hung her head down to the floor and dropped her staff. Sion, being polite, redid his cloak, bent down to pick up Priscilla's mend staff and put it back in her hand. Priscilla then looked up at Sion again. He put a hand on her shoulder and looked back at her.

"I truly appreciate your kindness. But, like I said, Some wounds will not heal."

Sion then took his hand off of her shoulder. He then looked up at the sky.

"It's getting late, you should get some rest. Don't let my scar bother you."

Priscilla nodded. But before she finished leaving, Sion asked.

"How long have I been sleeping?"

"A few hours. Erk found you behind a rock in the rain. Then Hector brought you inside in this tent to keep you dry and warm."

"Oh... ok. Thank you."

Priscilla smiled and left. Sion then lay back and sighed.

Am I being a burden? Or, am I truly helping these people? I feel as if, I'm the one attracting the Fang. Beyard found out I am alive, but he committed suicide with poison... Oh, I wish I knew... I truly do...

Sion stopped and listened to the rain patter against his rain.

I love the rain in the summer... Not when it is cloudy, but warm and sunny out.

Sion gave a slight smile and then shut his eyes as he drifted asleep.