Fire Emblem and any of its original characters and original storyline do NOT belong to me.

The bandits were gone. Whether or not Batta had survived his mass injury, Lyn and Mark will never know.

Mark was restless that night after helping Lyn with her wounds. Tossing and turning, he just couldn't find a proper position in bed. Giving up, he fluffed up his pillow and leaned backwards, looking out the moon-lit window. The silence gave him opportunity to think and go over what had happened today, to him, Lyn... He couldn't help but puzzle over about himself.

Yes, he knew he was a tactician. If you asked him how he knew, he wouldn't be able to answer. He just... well, knew. It was something he knew in his heart that no one would be able to comprehend. But regardless, Mark knew he was no normal ordinary person... his mind was just too brilliant enough to be a nobody.

More questions about himself started to pile on his shoulders again, though he tried his best not to think about it too much because that eventually led to pain and frustration. But he couldn't avoid the bizarre flashes he had in his head the first time he woke up in Lyn's home...

No, none of that. He snapped at himself. He wanted to enjoy, even for just a little while, the short-lived happiness he didn't feel misplaced in this world.

Spotting his dragon pendant just a desk away, he reached for it and observed it. He rested it in his hand, admiring its tiny small carvings and inscriptions written along the sides where small gems were aligned. On the center boasted a beautiful deep crimson red gem that glistened in the moonlight. On the back of it, a small dragon was clutching it. What this truly was remained a mystery to Mark for he could not remember. The only thing he did remember was its ability to communicate with the small childlike bead pins, that much he knew.

Again, more question perused him, and he placed it away.

He looked out the window again; amber and amethyst eyes scanning the silhouette the moon had revealed outside. It was a beautiful night - the sky was cloudless and the stars sparkled here and there. The moon was also at it's fullest. Mark once again, admired the beauty of the plains.

It was then when the Bern Mountains caught his eye. He got out of bed and went to the window to catch a full view of the massive dark mountains that seemed to reach forever into the sky. Mark rested his head on his hand, sighing. He wished he could remember what he knew about these mountains. There was something... nagging him. Something telling him to take a look. Or it could have been his sudden rekindled urge for a journey.

It was like the world was calling him... calling him to explore the lands. Mark looked past the horizon of the endless plains. There was something more out there... something more than this. It was a strange feeling to describe. It was like something he knew... yet something he had to discover beyond the horizon.

Just like the world calling to him... whispering his name.

The thought elated him. Journeying in an adventure... the discovery of new things, facing the dangers and risks... it all seemed overwhelmingly exciting.

Now how am I supposed to get any sleep? Mark thought to himself comically, lying back down, back faced to the window so his outburst of excitement wouldn't rise. Besides, it would be a fine opportunity to re-discover himself… perhaps find out who he really is…

One thing that stopped him was Lyn. He felt terrible of the thought to just leave her here after all the things she had done for him. It seemed such a cruel thought... to just leave her alone, after all the time she had already been alone. Nobody deserved that.

Of course, he could try to... nah.

Lyn loved the Sacae Plains. It was her home, her people's home. He had seen how devoted she was to the freedom of grass and flowers, away from a society ever so cruel. Why would he take her away from all that? No, Lyn would never come with him. Mark sighed, stressed.

But his heart longed to go, and that was something he could not block out.

Mark hadn't even realized that is was already morning, since he was awake all night. He quietly snuck outside and sat on an extra chair Lyn had left for her new tactician friend. Perfect timing, he witnessed the sunrise. It seemed like the sky was painted gold while the darkness in corners started to slowly ebb away and turn azure. As the sun rose higher, the orangey tint in the sky turned a whitish bright yellow. A breeze brushed by, making the morning a complete masterpiece.

He was suddenly crestfallen, for aside from the beautiful sunrise he chose this day to tell Lyn that he was going. He had already secretly packed all his things (which wasn't a lot in the first place) prior this morning, simply waiting until Lyn had awakened and stepped outside. Sure, it was strange enough to say goodbye like this, not to mention lousy. Mark would do anything to be behind battle lines than say a simple goodbye. He was a nervous wreck when it came to things like this, especially with girls.

Having nothing else to do, he started to recite his 'goodbye lecture' in his mind, looking silly mouthing and acting it out. He continued this for awhile until -

"I see you are up early."

GAK! "Good morning, miss Lyn." Mark chocked in his words, embarrassed. Thankfully she did not act as though she saw anything, and he sighed with relief inwardly.

Lyn smiled. "You do not mind if I place a seat next to you?"

"O-of course." Mark replied quickly, trying to not look like a fool... though failing miserably. Mark listened to Lyn bring up another chair behind him, and placed it a couple feet beside him. He took a quick glance at her; she was still the same Lyn, long green hair, blue dress... the only thing that was different was the bandage around his upper arm, and her thigh... he didn't even bother to look.

Mark took a deep breath, and opened his mouth -

"...I really love the Sacae Plains..." Lyn said quietly, "Somehow, they always bring me comfort when I am lonely."

Mark frowned and let out a "Do they?" He then looked out to the horizon. "I just saw the sunrise. It was really beautiful... absolutely breathtaking."

"Yes, it is."

Another silence.

Once again, Mark earned enough gut and opened his mouth attempting to say what he intended –

"Mark…" Came a quiet, low voice from Lyn.

Not again! Mark shut his mouth and froze, "…Yes, miss?"

"I've been thinking last night… how I just ran into battle mindlessly yesterday. I didn't think twice what I was doing…" She looked downhearted, "I was blinded by my anger… I guess I didn't care what would happen to me, as long as I hurt them, too. Not a very smart thing to think, huh?"

Mark was silent.

Lyn smiled and looked away into the horizon, "But you, Mark, you seemed to know what I was thinking… but I didn't listen to you, I didn't want to. At that second when you told me that I jumped in too fast… I… hated you." She felt guilty, "I felt… like you could never possibly understand… how it was to lose so much. Family, friends… by telling me I jumped in too fast, well…"

She went silent, guilt overwhelming her.

"…But it is I who could never possibly understand, to lose everything."

She regarded to his lose of memory. She looked at him, somewhat hopeful yet in fear, if he was angry. But he wasn't. He was motionless, just staring at the ground with no expression. She tried to look into his eyes to see some emotion, but it was like his soul had left him.

"…I'm sorry." She said anxiously, somewhat apprehensively, "You're not mad, are you…?"

There was yet another silence.

"…'Course not." Mark suddenly beamed at her much to Lyn's surprise. She looked into his amber and amethyst mystifying eyes, once again captivated by his mysterious beauty.

"That's… good to hear. I wanted to get that out of my system…" She spoke quietly again, "I felt terrible for hating you at that second…"

"Don't be." Mark grinned, "A lot of people hate me."

"How do you know that?" Lyn quizzed, then suddenly perked up, "Wait! I don't hate you! I just–"

Mark laughed again, "Do not let that trouble you, miss Lyn. I understand fully what you are trying to tell me."

"…You're not mad?"

"I don't see why I should be." He bit his lip and breathed in, "Now–"

"-I was also hoping… did I interrupt you? I am sorry."

I'm not doing so well here… Mark grinned fretfully, "No no, you go on what you were going to say." He started to wonder if he was ever going to have a chance to tell her.

Lyn then stood up from her seat, stepping in front of Mark. Mark blinked, wondering what she was planning.

"You clearly know your way around a battle, Mark… I don't know if you realized it, but when we played chess you seemed to know how to do it without me teaching you."

That's right. Mark remembered. He didn't even realize that he remembered chess. It was supposed to be new to him…

Lyn continued, "I was wondering… when you are going to leave the plains, I wish to come along."

It took several seconds to register in Mark's brain what Lyn had just said. He opened his mouth, but he was in lose of words. She also said 'when'… as if she knew. Somehow.

Lyn looked at him optimistically, "I can't stay here forever… if I do… I will never become stronger. The battle from yesterday… well, I knew almost nothing…" She smiled again, "Mark, I want you to take me when you go. I want you to train me… I want to become stronger for myself... for the Lorca."

"I'd be happy to." Mark warmly, "I'd be more than happy to train you to become stronger in the battlefield."

"You will…! I mean… thank you!" Lyn said happily; almost unable to restrain her relief and excitement. "This means so much to me…"

"Of course. I owe you my life… that is the least I can do for you…" Mark smiled sincerely again, his amber and amethyst eyes flashing at her warmly.

Lyn grinned, "Yes… Mark, yes. We'll make a good team… maybe we can discover who you really are…" Mark just smiled at her comment.

She held up a fist comically grinning,

"I'll be your peerless warrior, and you'll be my excellent tactician!"

MWAH! Two chaps up. Yes, I know. Grovel before me! Bwahaha!...Actually, rushed, hehehe... I don't get a lot of time in the computer… 15 minutes, I think… didn't even bother to read it over, do'h… so yeah, it's a wee bit rushed in the ending… whoops…

Eh, shorter than usual, maybe I could have merged this chap with the previous one, but I felt it was better to just do it this way. Sorry for the late update… you're gonna see more slowness… Sorry, I really am. But I will keep updating. Just not as fast (not that I was fast in the first place…) hehehe…

Well… these first four chaps are equivalent to the first chapter of the game… ouch this is gonna take me some time… but no fear! I shall continue this!... Because I have nothing better to do... sigh…

Anyway thanx for reading this far! -hug-

Next chap: Kent and our beloved perverted Sain. What joy! -hugs Sain plushie-