Author's Corner:

This chapter will begin another perspective that may or may not have been forgotten in light of recent events: the role of Cecilia as a tactician. Typically, Cecilia is relegated to a secondary role as a tactician-in-training due to Drake's (somewhat overbearing) dominance. However, I did insert her as a tactician for a reason, as you shall see in this chapter and in the following chapters.

Nony – Thanks for your review!

Dude – The pairing is still under construction, but faith is success is a good thing (I think). And yes, Raven knows the secret, but if he divulges anything, a certain red-haired troubadour would be dead of 'mysterious' circumstances.

Shoot me with a rifle please, the shotgun would leave nothing to bury…

Lao Who Mai – Plot twists are fun to write about! I always thought that Raven was too nice after he joins the party anyways.

Mad-man – Nice connection, I haven't thought about it that way, but it makes sense!

Shadow Rave – The answers will be reveaaaaaaaaled… (Sorry, couldn't help myself.)

Overdrive1 – Thanks for your review!

DotDotDotMan – Meh, you're forgiven, just don't do it too many times! I still want to allow my plot twists to unfold naturally! Though the exchange between Drake and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named-Aloud (Or written, whichever you prefer) will be explosive, I promise you that. Originally, I built the entire story around that one revelation as the centerpiece of the entire jigsaw puzzle.

Paladin2007 – I'll reveal the Curse of Caledonia at a later chapter along with other Wil/Rebecca support conversations (tweaked by me, of course). I'm glad you liked the new introductions, though I'm disappointed in regards to me being unable to fully explore their background since well, they're dead! Thanks for your review!

For the record, I am slightly insane, but not suicidal!

Hammer of Terrascars – Chapter 13

Legacy of the Father

"This will not be a tryst in the park," Hector muttered as he peered through overhanging trees.

Due to Drake's influence at Aion's fortress, many Black Fang guards were transferred elsewhere, ignorant of the diversion that Drake mounted. As such, the ruins surrounding the entrance to the Dragon's Gate saw a significant drop in defenders, but those that remained behind were more than enough to give battle to any foe.

"They have a large force," Matthew observed, "Somewhere around double our numbers, but that statistic could well neigh be worse without Drake's little feint."

"True enough," Eliwood replied, "But Father is within those walls, and we shall not leave here without him!"

"My thoughts exactly," Cecilia replied, "I apologize ahead of time for not being as skillful as Drake, but…"

"Belay that talk," Hector said, "You're the brains of the outfit now, so what's the plan?"

"But…"

"Cecilia," Eliwood said, "Drake put his faith in your skills and deemed that you were fit to command. He was confident that you would triumph against whatever foe that bars our path. Are you saying he was wrong?"

I don't know, I just don't know! Even if Drake has carefully explained and prodded me in every battle we've come across, I still cannot accept the reins so easily! What if I fail?

"Are you afraid?" Lyn asked.

"Yes!" Cecilia said, "Ever since Santaruz, where I almost got several of you killed! If Drake wasn't there…"

"Then that's a good thing," Lyn interrupted, "Drake used to say that fear is a good thing, since fear produces a healthy caution that prevents hastiness. We're all here for you, Cecilia, so lend us your wisdom."

Cecilia teetered for a moment, and then bit her lip. "Well," she began, "Seeing as I don't have a choice here, I'm going to imitate Lord Hector. Act first, ask questions later!"

"Hey! I resent that!"

"Matthew, do you have a general layout of their defenses?"

Matthew grinned, "A true spy would not settle for anything less. Here, catch!"

Cecilia unfurled the proffered parchment, "Laus, eh? So that means…"

"Marquis Darin will be here," Sain said, gritting his teeth, "Cecilia, leave him to me! I'll spear that gluttonous boar and roast him over a slow fire!"

"Very well," Cecilia replied, "However, remember that we are dealing with Laus elites and Black Fang veterans here, and they will be far more difficult than the rabble that Drake annihilated at the Battle of Laus. Be careful everyone!"

While Cecilia outlined her plans for the upcoming battle, Ninian hesitantly tugged on Eliwood's cloak. Eliwood turned and favored the young girl with a smile of reassurance.

"Are we really going into the scary place?"

"We must," Eliwood said gently, "But stay with me, alright? I'll protect you from whatever comes forth from those ruins."

Ninian replied with a smile of her own.

"Cameron, to me!" Darin boomed atop his steel throne.

"My lord and king," Cameron dipped to a knee, "What is you bidding?"

"A band of mice has invaded my domain," Darin commanded, "Bring me their heads, but leave the women alive. Ephidel has need of one of them; the rest may be given to the men for sport."

"You are most gracious, milord," Cameron replied, "I shall do as you command."

After the knight left, Darin laughed at the figure next to him, "So, Elbert, are you regretting your decision yet?"

"Never," the marquis of Pherae said firmly, "Your foolish daydream will come crashing down upon you, Darin. Nergal will not keep his promises, and in his madness, he will set the entire world ablaze. Surely even you can see that!"

"Lord Nergal is strong enough to bind those beasts to his will," Darin said confidently, "Even if they prove hostile, let the scaly lizards burn this world to ash! It'd be so much easier for me to take over an Elibe of fire and war than to conquer it piece by piece."

"You are both mad," Elbert stated flatly.

"Ha, foolish man," Darin sneered, "In a few short moments, I will have your son's head presented to you on a silver platter. Perhaps it'd do you some good to sue for mercy. The gods know that the future ruler of the world can afford to be merciful to a few ignominious upstarts."

Elbert paled slightly, but his voice did not waver, "My son has survived and trounced every challenge that you have sent against him. Surrounded by valiant friends and dutiful companions, he will not be easy prey for you. I believe your beloved Castle Laus is a reminder of their strength."

Darin flushed darkly at the reminder of that humiliation, "You're treading on thin ice, Elbert. Best keep your mouth shut if you wish to see this battle to the end. Or better yet, guards!"

Several Laus soldiers appeared at their master's beckoning, "Take Marquis Pherae to the temple. Lord Nergal will personally keep him, shall we say, entertained until our guests arrive."

As the soldiers took Elbert away, Darin started at the voice behind him, "Lord Darin?"

A silvery-haired thief with a scar over one eye and a bandanna over his head nodded his head politely, "I'm Legault, Hurricane of the Black Fang. Lord Aion has sent a message stating that he has dealt with the intruders."

"Excellent," Darin said smugly, "Anything else?"

"Yes," Legault said, "The quartermaster has gotten disgustingly drunk again, and I'm afraid our stores…"

Darin cut him off, "Enough! That idiot will be executed for his incompetence and you will take his place. Go now, and trouble me no more."

Legault bowed slightly and left, smirking the entire time. "I'm sure Lord Darin doesn't need to know that I drugged the man silly. Oh wells, time to loot the stores and take my leave of this sinking ship," Legault said to himself.

"You damnable nitwits, get a move on!" Cameron roared.

Whoever designed the main entrance to the Dragon's Gate evidently never rode a horse. Of the two primary entrances, one was a narrow corridor while the other proved to be a winding path through several stone bunkers. Granted, the design would be perfect for weathering a siege, but simply catastrophic when sallying forth against the enemy. There were two other paths flanked by stout doors, but those trails only lead towards other fortresses. Unfortunately, only the narrow corridor was even remotely suitable for a cavalry rush.

Chances were that the enemies arrayed against them weren't fools. At the end of the long hallway jammed with horsemen, four warriors were holding the entire crowd at bay by situating themselves at the smallest opening possible. One armored knight, one ax-wielding lord and two archers were more than enough to utterly bog down all of Cameron's cavalry, who were trying desperately to slosh over the mud beneath them.

At this sort of bottleneck, all the archers had to do was point in the general direction with the thickest crowd and fire. Chances were that the Laus men were so cramped that they had little or no chance to maneuver and dodge the incoming shafts. Whoever managed to make it across the arrows alive was swiftly and mercilessly hewn down by lance and ax. To make the humiliation complete, those blasted archers were actually conversing with one another as if this was some sort of tea party!

"Say, Rebecca," the male archer started, "I don't suppose you came from Pherae?"

"Hm, why do you ask?"

"Well, I came from a village in Pherae, and there was also a girl at my hometown named Rebecca…"

"You're probably mistaken, Wil."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Wil apologized, "It's probably vanishingly unlikely that we came from the same village anyways. Sorry for your time!"

"Huh? Wait! Drat!" Rebecca scowled as she lost Wil's attention while she mumbled, "Could I be any more sarcastic?"

"Rebecca! Get down!"

"Wha-?" Rebecca was flattened by Wil's diving tackle just as a thrown javelin smashed into the wall where her head would have been, "T-thanks, Wil."

Cameron snapped his fingers, "Damn, missed."

"Stay sharp and don't daydream too much," Wil grinned as he got up, "The Rebecca from my hometown would shoot me full of arrows if I let someone with her namesake get hurt right in front of me!"

As Wil turned around, Rebecca looked incredulously at the oblivious male, I should shoot him full of arrows for not recognizing me in the first place!

Originally, this narrow corridor was supposed to be a death trap for invaders. To the right of the corridor, a bunker overlooked every angle with arrow slits, perfect for mowing down any enemy. Now the singular problem was that there were only enemy arrows flying and no friendly support fire.

From the screams and yells erupting from the nearby bunker, it'd be safe to assume that the enemy possessed a competent lock pick as well. The archers, thinking they were safe and snug inside their stone bunkers, must've been overwhelmed by a flood of melee infantry when the heavy door slammed open.

"Where are the knights guarding the left bunker?" Cameron screamed.

A soldier limped up behind him, "Sir Cameron, the knights on guard duty were slain by their horsemen! We were caught completely unawares when both bunker doors slammed open and enemies flooded in simultaneously."

"They were just trying to bog us down in the middle," Cameron realized, "While the real attack was coming in from the wings!"

"Not exactly."

Cameron turned around just in time to see three spell casters flatten him and his horse against the wall with their spells. Two plowed into his horse while a ball of fire struck him full in the chest as Cameron slid slowly off the dying beast.

"You…" Cameron croaked before expiring, "Went around…"

"Cecilia, the outer defenses belong to you know," Erk called out, "Now we just have to enter these gates to engage Marquis Darin himself."

"Which may be difficult," Hector said as he wiped his ax, "We have crushed the exterior defenses, which would probably make Darin think twice about opening his gates."

"I could probably still manage to pick those double doors," Matthew volunteered, "However, whatever comes out next would probably flatten me."

"I have another idea," Cecilia said, "How old do you reckon these ruins are, Canas?"

Canas shrugged, "From my estimates, I'd say several hundred years at the very least."

Cecilia grinned, "How many blows does it take to knock down a shaky, cracked wall that is half a millennia in age?"

"But if we hammer the walls, the resonation would alert the guards of our presence," Eliwood pointed out.

"That's just fine," Cecilia said, "Bartre, Dorcas, there is a spot along the left wall that has a hair line crack someone found earlier. Grab several hammers from Merlinus and smack that area, making as much noise as possible. Oswin and Dart should do the same on the wall to the right with their weapons."

"Cecilia?" Lyn asked, "Eliwood did make a good point about the noise."

"I know, I want the defenders to gather at those points."

"But why would…" Eliwood caught himself, "A diversion, to get their attention away from the real threat."

"Yes," Cecilia nodded with a grin, "Matthew still gets to work on the main gate with his skeleton keys. The attacks on the walls are all bark and no bite, all sound and no damage. The disturbance will cover the slight scratching noises Matthew makes on the main gates."

"And when they fall," Kent said, "Sain and I will be able to charge in and surprise the defenders."

"Darin is mine," Sain declared, "Kent, don't touch him!"

"I understand."

Legault whistled a light tune as he merrily strolled across the harried defenders struggling to shore up the rustling walls. The two points under siege have been dropping dust for the past candle mark or so, and with no word from the outside, the mood of the besieged were considerably gloomy. Occasionally, a particularly loud crack would send the defenders scuttling for their weapons, but no visible sign of a shattered wall sent them back on their haunches. All of these dismal occurrences did not faze Legault's cheery outlook in the least.

During his brief 'appointment' as quartermaster, he had helped himself to the various choice items still left in the armory and treasury before taking his leave. On his way out, the original quartermaster had awoken briefly, only to be clubbed senseless by Legault's bag of loot. Now all the separated Legault from freedom was that one locked door and the two guards standing before it.

"Hey, you! Halt!"

"Who, me?" Legault asked, his face wearing a mask of complete innocence.

One of the guards walked forward, "Who are you, and where are you going with that?"

Legault raised an eyebrow, "You poor little newbie, you don't even know who I am? How long have you been on this rock?"

The guard looked a little uncertain, "Uh, about a month?"

"Fool, I guess I'll forgive you then," Legault said with a helpless sigh of frustration, "I am Legault, and I believe you would know that name."

The guard's eyes bulged, "Legault, as in the Hurricane? Second to none but the Four Fangs?"

"Last time I checked that was my name," Legault said dryly.

"My apologies, sir," the guard bowed quickly, "Go ahead."

"Thank you, lackey," Legault said, but was stopped as he reached for the door.

"Say, if you don't mind, may we check the bag?" The other guard stated, "Sorry, Darin's orders, sanctimonious pig that he is."

"Sure, go ahead," Legault said, confident that his loot was well concealed beneath his personal belongings. Well, confident until he heard the jingling of that priceless mithril mail which he accidentally left on top of his clothes.

"Err, wasn't this one of Darin's treasures from the store house?"

"Oops, you weren't supposed to see that," Legault said hastily before buffeting the guard in the chin, who dropped with a strangled cry.

"S-sir Legault? What are you doing?"

"Item #1, never refer to me as 'sir,'" Legault said, smacking the man upside the head with his goodie bag, and then tripping the hapless guard with a well aimed kick, "Item #2, never search the bags of a superior officer without just cause. Which I suppose you have, considering I'm a thief."

Legault knocked the man out cold with one last punch, "Item #3, I'm leaving the Black Fang because this once chivalrous organization has become infested with worms like you. Not entirely your fault, but I guess you can't hear me anyways, so see ya!"

With a little laugh, Legault unbarred the doors and stepped outside. Before he could even close the door, two lances were leveled inches away from his chest.

"Item #4, never speak of your plans so loudly when the walls have ears," a voice next to him said.

"So close, yet so far," Legault sighed, "I don't suppose I can bribe you with some loot?"

"I'll think about it, but you should come with us to see Marquis Darin first."

Marquis Darin was in the middle of tasting a glass of wine when the doors before him burst asunder at the charge of mounted cavaliers. Eyes widening in shock, he hastily hurtled his glass aside before bellowing for guards. Hearing the summons, Laus soldiers scrambled to defend their monarch from the enemy charge. Regrettably for the defenders, the battle was already decided before they had arrived. The invaders pressed forward in perfect order and coordination, well set in their battle formations while the defenders struggled to form a line in front of Marquis Darin. A struggle further complicated by the two cavaliers dancing through their ranks, scattering the soldiers left and right.

"Where are the western guards?" Darin screamed, "Why aren't they coming?" Only a couple of stragglers had come from the western posts, while the full complement of guards from the east wall had rushed to their master's aid.

Cecilia was in her element, a textbook example of how to crush a disorganized and confused enemy with speed and efficiency. Rebecca, Wil, Canas, and Erk she sent to blaze away at the enemy reinforcements while Lucius specifically targeted the enemy shamans. Lyn, Guy, Matthew, and Eliwood were jointly forcing enemy soldiers back in their dancing blades. No foe could last more than a few moments within the scything arcs of deadly rapiers and sabers. Beyond them, Kent and Sain were riding in circles around the lone Marquis Darin, occasionally darting in for a fearsome stab with a lance. Although the constant movement rendered them unable to pierce the stalwart armor, their harrying tactics forced Darin on the defensive and unable to aid his beleaguered men.

"Curses," Darin roared, "Where are Aion's reinforcements? That traitor said he had crushed the guerillas candle marks ago!"

Lyn faltered at that outburst and narrowly averted being spitted by an enemy lance. To her left, Eliwood pivoted quickly and finished off the spearman with a quick thrust.

"Stay sharp, Lyn!"

"Y-yes," Lyn stammered, stopping when she heard incoming footsteps from the eastern corridor. Eliwood turned to slash another soldier who was reaching for Ninian.

Two quick strides and she was at the corner, ready to slay the foolish enemy that was about to pop around the corner. As soon as she caught glimpse of a cloak, Lyn sent the Mani Katti ripping at her target.

Half a second before the blow would have told, the man ducked and narrowly avoided the decapitating strike. Rolling forward, he retrieved a lance from a fallen Laus soldier and was about to counterattack when Lyn got a good lookat her opponent.

"You have an interesting way of greeting friends, Lyn of the Lorca."

"Drake!"

"Half a foot lower and I wouldn't have dodged that," Drake replied, "You're not very subtle in dealing with strangers, are you?"

Since when were you a stranger? Lyn smiled slightly, "Not really."

"Legault was kind enough to let us in on this little brawl," Drake said, motioning towards the silver-haired thief in the back, "Shall we rejoin the melee?"

"Of course."

The addition of Florina, Fiora, Marcus, and Lowen swiftly turned a one-sided battle into a complete rout. Combining their strength, all four cavaliers charged as one unstoppable hammer to smash Marquis Darin from his steel throne. Backing up ungracefully and fighting for balance, Marquis Darin was unprepared to meet the deadly knight sword of a vengeful Sain.

Urging his destrier forward, Sain did not lessen the pressure in the slightest. His flurry of sword strokes clanged all over Marquis Darin's armor, upsetting the man's balance even further. Marquis Darin tried his utmost to ward off the persistent cavalier with his lance, but his lack of footing rendered his resistance futile. Inevitably, Sain struck a furious blow that rattled Marquis Darin from helm to boot, causing the giant armored knight to finally lose his balance utterly and fall over with a thundering crash.

Sain sprang from his saddle with sword in hand as he towered over the prone general. Unable to raise himself due to the overwhelming weight of his armor, Marquis Darin could only watch helplessly as Sain clasped his sword in both hands.

"M-mercy!"

"Mercy?" Sain said coldly, "You who defiled our beautiful Caelin and breathe ruin upon the people of Elibe, sue for mercy? Those who suffered underneath your yoke can now breathe easier knowing you shall trouble them no more. Farewell, coward!"

Sain's sword stabbed downwards into the junction between armor and helm, into the one opening that presented flesh rather than unyielding steel.

Darin, one-time marquis of Laus, self-proclaimed ruler of the world, gurgled briefly before yielding his life to the clutches of death.

"I must applaud you for removing such a worthless fool from our presence," a cloaked man said from behind a pillar.

"Who goes there?" Hector asked.

"You may call me," the man threw back his hood, "Ephidel…"

"You…" Hector growled, "I was looking forward to this."

"A gallant gesture," Ephidel replied, "If not futile…"

"What is your purpose?" Eliwood asked, standing in front of Hector.

Ephidel pointed at Ninian, "Oh, the girl of course."

Before anyone could respond, Ephidel charged forward with inhuman speed. Guy and Lyn, being slightly quicker on their feet, dashed forward to intercept the morph. Despite their best efforts, Ephidel tucked Ninian under one arm and leapt backwards over the entire host, landing lightly before the path to Dragon's Gate.

"Follow me," Ephidel said emotionlessly, "If you dare!"

Without waiting for a reply, Ephidel took off for Dragon's Gate with his captive. Without hesitation, Cecilia and the three lords sped off in pursuit. Drake paused long enough to whisper something in Marcus' ear, who promptly nodded.

"Leave it to me, Sir Drake," Marcus affirmed.

Inside the cavern leading to Dragon's Gate, the five of them paused to survey their surroundings. The architecture was obviously not wrought by human hands, the great slabs of marble and stone could never have been lifted to their current locations. Upon those great stones, hieroglyphics of foreign markings could scarcely be made out, so worn were they from the ravages of time. Four titanic towers stood sentinel over the great stone bridge that led to the Dragon's Gate, each one with a lighted torch atop its monumental pyres. Below the bridge lay a great chasm of darkness where no light penetrated. Only the gods knew how far into the cold embrace of the earth the abyss descended. Certainly no mortal of this age possessed the lost knowledge of the dragons.

Lyn's Sacaen eyes were the first to adjust to the dimly lit interior, "There!"

One by one, the group was able to make out a gigantic doorway of some sort made up of three slabs of stone. Two were vertically placed with the third horizontally set atop the two. It was what stood at the base of the gateway that held their attention. At their distance, standing scarcely a finger's length, were Ninian, Ephidel, Marquis Elbert, and a nameless man garbed in a dark turban and cloak.

"I'd assume he is Nergal," Cecilia said.

"Only one way to find out," Hector said as they descended over the bridge.

As they drew near to the gate itself, Eliwood saw Ephidel strike his father, sending Elbert tumbling back. Breaking into a run, Eliwood and his friends quickly reached the stunned Marquis Elbert.

"Father!"

"So, Marquis Pherae," Nergal said, "Truly your lineage is one of perseverance to penetrate so far into my sanctuary."

"Eliwood," Elbert struggled to speak, "It does not matter now, get the girl and flee from here!"

"What?"

"You shall not pass," someone interrupted them.

Lyn turned and half drew her sword at the suddenness of those words. Before them stood another cloaked man, his eyes void of emotion and his hands holding a pair of daggers that could've sheared through any armor like a hot knife through butter.

"You'd do well to heed his advice," Ephidel said, "Jaffar, the Angel of Death is not lightly named, and amongst the Black Fang, there are few who do not fear him."

"The Angel of Death, eh?" Hector growled, "This I have to see for myself." He drew his ax and prepared to charge Jaffar when Drake stopped him.

"Drake?"

"Desist, you fool," Drake said, "You could kill you in a heartbeat, then wipe his blades and forgotten that he had killed you. You are not ready to face him yet."

"At least your tactician is wise," Nergal scoffed, "It avails you little, however. Jaffar, you are done here, return to Bern at once."

Jaffar gave the barest hint of a nod, and then he was gone. Only the floating dust where he once stood testified that he was once amongst them.

"Now," Nergal said haughtily, "In light of your accomplishment, I shall reward you with a little reward for your viewing pleasure. At the expense of Lord Elbert, I'm afraid. Ninian?"

Ninian, her normal vibrant eyes exchanged for a pale, dead shade of red, gestured towards Marquis Elbert. Immediately, Elbert fell to his knees and begun convulsing in pain, as if an unseen force was tearing his soul from him. Ninian began to sing softly.

"All power of the dragon forefathers, I call upon thee to witness and devour this sacrifice. Drink of this life and surrender to me the keys of immortality, of the darkest hells and of the highest heavens. Open forth the cursed path, and let the light of your children grace this land…"

Marquis Elbert's screams did little to drown out the intonation.

Ninian's voice lowered a few notches and Marquis Elbert fell heavily to the floor. Behind them all, the Dragon's Gate shuddered and groaned, the pitch black darkness that stood in its doorway flashed into a brilliant light, flickering with undying flames. The entire cavern tremble as if in terror when a terrible head emerged from the gate along with a scaly claw with flames still dancing hungrily upon it.

Cecilia paled, "It can't be…"

"A… Dragon?" Lyn said in disbelief.

"A monster from the Scouring," Eliwood said in dismay.

Just when the beast was about to roar to life, a soft tune broke the hold of Ninian's song. Soft and light, yet firm with power and overbearing in authority, the tune was almost a counter melody of Ninian's song. The two musical voices intwined and fought one another for a brief moment before canceling one another note for note, harmony for melody. The dragon, still emerging from the portal and losing its connection due to the musical interference, roared in rage. The flames, almost dying when the scaly claw first emerged, burst into life and covered the dreaded beast.

"Damn you! Nils!" Nergal screamed in rage.

"N-Nils... Nils?" Ninian slowly snapped out of her reverie, her eyes reverting to a normal reddish hue, "What? What's going on?"

Seeing the confusion that ran amok, Eliwood seized his chance. Dashing forward, he grabbed Ninian and drew her away from Nergal's distracted clutches. Ephidel moved to stop him, but was halted when Drake tackled him, thrusting the morph backwards into the flaming dragon.

Those who play with dangerous magic know that if too polar opposites are mixed with one another, usually something cataclysmic occurs. This was no exception. Flame Dragons, vibrant in life and born of the devouring flame, are beings that tread in the light. A morph, created from the nether energies that are drawn from living creatures by necromancerswielding dark powers, is naturally at odds with a light-blessed creature. Throw the two together and mix, the result is naturally an explosion.

Ephidel screamed horribly as the inexorable fire drew him into its warm embrace just as the dying dragon roared its pain. The cacophony of sounds ended in a hell born cry that rendered everyone deaf for several long moments. Dragon and morph disappeared in a shower of dark flames, doomed to linger on the plane of existence called the Void.

Nils hastily ran to Ninian and was relieved to find his sister exhausted, but otherwise unharmed. Meanwhile, a furious Nergal stalked closer to the group before him.

"Failed," Nergal rasped, "So close but for your infernal meddling, Nils!"

Nils was defiant, "We will not do your bidding!"

"We shall see about tha… Ach!" Nergal bit down an oath as he stared down at a dagger protruding from his chest.

"F-forgot… Forgot about… Me…" Elbert gasped, "Did you?"

Nergal flung the dying lord from him before wrenching the knife out. Gritting his teeth from the burning pain in his bosom, Nergal vanished into the shadows before Hector could finish him.

"Father!" Eliwood said joyfully, "You're alright!"

Elbert smiled sadly, "No, I-I am done… I shall, not… This rock alive…"

Eliwood paled, "D-don't be ridiculous. You're coming home with me, to see Mother!"

"Eleanora," Elbert said with tears in his eyes, "Ah, I shall not see her beauty again… I have failed both of you…"

"Don't say that," Eliwood choked, "You will live!"

"Eliwood," Elbert grasped his son's hand with his remaining strength, "Nergal… He will return… One such as he will not die from that wound…"

"Father…"

"Promise me," a flame of determination burned in Elbert's eyes, "Promise me you will stop him! Do not let him burn our beloved Elibe! P-Promise…"

"I promise, Father," Eliwood said, "Now let's go home."

Marquis Elbert did not reply.

"Father?"

"Marquis Elbert?"

Drake placed a hand on a sobbing Eliwood, "Mourn later, Marquis Pherae. Now we must leave Valor before they return. Or else, Lord Elbert's sacrifice would be in vain."

"It'll take time for the army to reach the beachhead," Cecilia noted, wiping the tears from her face.

"They have already left," Drake replied, "Only Kent, Sain, Fiora, and Florina will remain behind to wait for our arrival. Marcus I sent to lead the army back to the shores of Valor. Now come, we must make haste before Nergal can unleash more henchmen upon us!"

Drake's command stirred the fiber of obedience within them, and as one they rose and followed him out of the darkness into the sunlight.

I've added in a few more support conversations and will continue to give them little touches along the way. Then again, since I won't be developing the relationships of the respective supports, they will remain minor portions of this ongoing fiction. Thank you for reading and please review if you have the time!