Green Blackguard: Well, I suppose you want to know what happens next, eh? Well, I won't tell you!

Green Paladin: (gets out hedgehog launcher) Yes you will.

Green Blackguard: (cowering) Yes, heh, of course I will. Here you go! (Holds sign: Partially written by me!)

Light brightens, until the dusk.
Darkness shrouds, until the dawn.
We all have light and darkness in us, and we all have times when either dominates, like night and day. It is something we must accept.
Let this be your dawn.

- Writings of St. Elimine, Preface

I burst into the throne room, and saw Lundgren standing over an unconscious Lyn, who was mottled with crimson, and he was readying his spear for a final blow. Rage erupted from my every pore as I roared, "Get away from her!"

Lundgren stopped, and smiled. "Do you care for this girl? Then you will get to watch her die." He raised his spear.

"NO!" Screaming in rage, I shoulder barged the armoured fiend, sending him and me tumbling. I struggled against him, but he was too strong. He landed on top of me, and I felt my ribs cracking under the heavy weight. Lundgren rose up off my bruised body, and trust his spear toward my face. Rolling out the way, I tumbled into a standing position, the Armorslayer in both hands. I tightened my grip, knowing that a single hit from him would end me. I glanced to the left of me and saw Serra busy trying to heal Lyn, with Nils playing his heartening music in the background to help her. I turned my sight back to see Lundgren charging. I dodged to the right, and he screamed venomously, "I'll not let you take my throne away from me!"

While he was turning for another assault, I stabbed my blade through a weak point in the elbow into his arm, and blood seeped from the wound. Gritting his teeth, he smashed me in the face with his metallic fist, and I flew across the room and landed sprawled on the floor. Lundgren reared up, and thrust his spear at my chest. In a split second, I raised my sword and deflected the blow, but my defence shattered. Open for another attack, I waited for the end.

He gasped, as did I, when I saw a sword spring out from his chest. 'The Mani Katti!' Lyn appeared from behind Lundgren, panting in exhaustion. Lundgren rasped, "That annoying little girl… Nothing but a savage from Sacae… The Caelin throne… should be… mine…" He breathed his last and collapsed on the floor. Blood pooled around his fallen form.

I stood up, and was panting just as hard as her. "I said… I'd protect you."

"Yes… you did."

I stood, unconscious to the stabbing pain ripping across my body. "I thought I'd failed… that I'd lost you..." I gripped Lyn's arm. "I'm glad you're with me."

She walked closer. "So am I."

I threw my arms around her, and lifted her off her feet. Spinning her around, I saw her face filled with glee. It brought a warm feeling to my heart, and I was compelled to let my thoughts out. "Oh my… you look… so radiant!" A pain shot through my body that I hadn't noticed before, so caught up in the moment. "Ow! Aah!" I dropped Lyn, and fell to my knees.

"What's wrong!" she demanded anxiously. "Serra!" The pink-haired she-devil came to my side, and carefully examined me. 'Wow, she's so quiet when at work… ow! Damn it!'

"What hurts?" she asked.

"…Everything… Gahhh!" I cried as another sharp jolt struck me.

"This may take some time. Many bones have fractured." Serra grinned wickedly as she added, "I guess you'll have to spend some time in my wonderful company!"

"…Oh… great… Can't I just die instead?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Oh… forget it."

"You certainly are peculiar. You know once, I thought I'd ask Erk for…" She began to do her work, and I decided to just attempt the impossible and ignore her jabbering. Through the haze, I saw Lyn approached by a man who looked of some importance, and she rushed off with him. 'I hope it isn't too late for your grandfather…'

The days passed quickly after then. Many of the Legion had already left, but some had remained. I was present for Kent and Sain's promotions, as that promised to be quite a grand event. The field around Castle Caelin was filled with people from all over Caelin, and other territories. Even some delegates from the Sacean tribes had arrived, apparently to 'honour the guardians of the Lorca heiress.' I was at the castle gates with Lyn, and her hand was gripping mine. I could hear what many of the visitors were saying. "Hear that?" I asked, prodding Lyn.

"What?"

"That crowd of girls behind us are planning of asking Sain for dates."

"All of them!" she gasped, glancing back at them.

"Yep. All one thousand of them. Knowing him, he'd accept."

Lyn was still baffled. "I had no idea that he was so loved."

"Yeah, you would've thought being as he is would drive most women off. Guess most women aren't sensible." Lyn slapped me, but she knew I was joking. "Hey, I didn't say you weren't sensible! You brushed him of with some harsh words when you first met him, if I recall correctly. I think you're smart, witty, and beautiful."

Her mock anger evaporated. "All right then. I think I'll let you off for now."

"Oh, goody." The procession began, and the two knights began their slow amble toward Hausen. Kent was walking without distraction, while Sain waved to every female he saw. There were a lot of females in the crowd, so it looked an awful lot like he was doing a hummingbird impression. I tried my hardest not to burst out laughing at this absurd sight, so as not to be murdered by rampaging Sain lovers. The crowd cheered, and I joined them. Confetti rained from the sky, and Sain loved every second. Kent looked as dispassionate as ever.

Hausen silenced the crowd with a rising of his hand. One the field was quiet, he shouted, "We are here today to honour the actions of Kent and Sain, knights of Caelin. They remained loyal to this land even after Lundgren's betrayal, and actively worked against him by returning the Lady Lyndis to Caelin." I felt a not inconsiderable amount of annoyance, as I did have a little to do with it. "I will bestow upon each of you, a reward for your struggles." A man came up to Hausen with a wooden box, with a brass lock. Hausen brought a key out from his robes, and unlocked it. He opened the box, and pulled out two jewels. One an Emerald, the other a Ruby, both lined round the edges with gold. "Sain, for your devotion to your homeland rather than its ruler, you are promoted to Subcommander of the Caelin Knights!" Scores of onlookers cried out in glee, and I couldn't blame them. He deserved it. Hausen took the Emerald, and pressed it against Sain's breastplate. It locked in place, and it fitted perfectly. Hausen then turned to Kent.

"Kent, you have done the bravest thing we could ask a knight to do. You stood by your companions and friends, even when things looked their darkest. You stood up for what you thought was right and persevered. Branded a traitor, you still kept going, protecting my granddaughter to the very end. For these deeds, I give you the title of Knight Commander, and with it command of all the knights of Caelin!" The crowds cheered even more, the noise was almost deafening. To my extreme surprise Kent actually smiled, and the Ruby was fixed onto his armour. The pair turned back toward the citizens of Elibe, and began their descent back to the waiting legions of loyal fans. I felt a push from behind, and narrowly dodged the thousand women, who rushed Sain and dragged him away. He seemed pleased with this turn of events. I managed to slip away, before things got any more ridiculous.

The sun had set, and I was alone in the town square. Sitting at a table outside the now-closed wine stockist, I grew impatient. 'Lyn said she'd be here hours ago! Some date! Oh well… can't complain.' Multiple footsteps sounded behind me, and I saw what I dreaded most.

"He's here!" screamed the crowd, and more flocked toward the gathering group of ravenous tabloid reporters! "What's your favourite colour! Do you have any annoying habits! Who's the member of the Legion you least like!"

"Gaahhhh!" I screeched, and dashed off into the shadows, away from the crazed journalists. Desperately searching for a hiding place, I heard the probing questions resonate throughout the streets behind me. Spotting a dark alley, I decided to risk it. I dived into the shrouding darkness, just before the storm of columnists charged round the corner. I watched from my cover as the tide washed by. I waited until they were long gone, and then emerged. I recoiled in surprise at seeing Kent standing there, at the end of the alley.

He stared at me with those solemn eyes, and said somewhat apologetically, "I misjudged you."

"How so?" I inquired, restoring my mask of calm.

"I believed you to be untrustworthy. A deceiver. Someone who would do anything for gold. I see that I was wrong. You are an honourable man."

I replied gleefully, "Thank you, Kent! But… I will never forget those who died because of me."

"And that is why I believe you are a good man at heart." Smiling weakly, I left to seek out my missing date.

Weeks passed, and I found myself with little to do. The odd bandit skirmish here and there, but these were no test of my abilities. Wil and I went hunting sometimes, I helped Florina with aerial to ground combat tactics, and I occasionally sparred with Lyn, now mostly referred to as Lady Lyndis, but to her close friends she demanded that we all kept calling her Lyn. That at least, kept me here.

I stood in the castle courtyard, alone. Or so I thought. I sensed a presence behind me, and I turned, drawing my practice blade. "I am honoured to fight such an exquisite lady."

"You're beginning to sound like Sain!" joked Lyn.

I mocked offence. "Madam! You wound me!"

"See?" she giggled.

"Oh, fine." I swung the wooden sword, and it was deflected. Spinning around, I halted her counter-attack. Using her blade as leverage I swung round her and struck her back. Flipping forward, she cartwheeled away and landed in a combat stance, ready to attack again. Gods, she looked fine. I couldn't help but admire her lithe physique as she attacked again, dancing around me in her swift assault. Reacting on instinct, I flung my weapon backward, and felt it connect. Whirling around to face her, I saw I had struck over her heart. I stared in surprise, but then realised that wasn't a general area you should stare at a woman in polite situations. I withdrew the blade.

"You've improved."

"You ain't seen nothing yet!" I released a flurry of blows, striking her arms several times. In my haste I left an opening, and she went in. Her sword struck my wrist, and my weapon went flying. 'Trust my luck for trying to show off…' I sprung back, and readied myself.

"Surrender?" she offered. In response, I leapt forward, clashing with her. We rolled forward, and I managed to pin her down.

"Surrender?" I laughed.

Smiling playfully she answered, "Never." Then she kissed me. I enjoyed the moment, and the feeling of her body under mine. After a while we stopped, and I let her go.

Lyn sighed contently and spoke. "Say it."

"What?"

"That you love me," she smirked.

"Why?"

"I just want to hear you say it."

"All right. Whew… here goes…"

She poked me in the ribs and complained, "Take your time."

"It's very hard to get it right! …Hold on! Why me first?"

"You realised about us last!"

"Liar!" I accused jovially, releasing her. "When did you figure it out then?"

"On the plains that night you rescued me from the slaver. I saw straight through you."

"Oh, well… all right then." I conceded, knowing she had me. "I was wondering about all the hugging and stuff. Fine. I love you. Happy?"

"Very." I lay beside her, and began tenderly kissing her neck. Bringing my attention upward, I locked my lips against hers. Kissing her deeply, I threw my arms around her torso, and pulled myself closer. I'd betrayed myself. Her touch soothed my soul, and that I did not deserve. Looking upon the ravishing beauty before me, I no longer cared and lost myself in her eyes.

The next day I reached a hill near the castle with all my supplies, as the sun was setting on the horizon. I heard a footstep, and I turned and saw Lyn behind me. "You have a habit of sneaking up on me, you know," I chuckled.

She looked at me sadly and said, "Andur… you're leaving, aren't you?"

"Yes. Do you-"

"No, I'm not asking you to stay," she interrupted. "It's just… I'll miss you. When I found you unconscious on the plains... I had no idea we would be together for so long. You've helped us so much, and I'm sure you've learned all you can from us. You'll do just fine on your own. I have the utmost faith that you'll be a master tactician, Andur. That's from someone who's seen you at work!"

I cachinnated at this, and then said sadly, "I'll miss you as well. I need to… sort myself out. I need time to think on all that has happened. And, you need to spend some time with your grandfather. I can't let me take you away from him. I've been with you for the past year and he's only seen you for a month. You need to spend some quality time with him while I'm gone. And that's my final order as your tactician."

She smiled and ambivalently replied, tears welling in her eyes, "Well then, take care… I… hope I see you again. I'm sure that I will someday…"

"Goodbye, Lyn of the Lorca. I will return, someday. To you." I turned away and began my journey, leaving her standing alone on the sun-drenched hill.

END
Green Paladin: Watch out! Sequel alert!

Green Blackguard: Where? (brandishes rifle)

Green Paladin: No, you idiot. A GOOD sequel! By us!

Green Blackguard: Oh yeah!

Green Paladin: Look for "Until the Dusk," released soon!