"Are you doing alright?"

Elise nodded. I smiled. "Alright. Let's keep going."

That was the fourth hill we had to walk over-she was doing well. I wish, though, that the hills were high enough to find out where we were headed. This path leading away from where we landed was the only path we were following.

It was getting darker-I would need to carry her the rest of the way to wherever we were going. "Elise. We need to move faster. I don't think we can't do it with this pace. I'll carry you."

"Okay."

I went in front of her, and had her on my back. In return, I had her carry the bag.

This would rob me of my sword, but I could walk faster.

…

I still couldn't tell where we were headed, but it was only a matter of time until we found a clearing. It would beat having to trudge on through the mud and making sure that Elise wasn't stepping on the deeper parts of it.

And there it was. A clearing with two paths, left and right.

Hide.

The clouds were clearing. I set Elise and I to a nearby bush with a view of the path and forced her down.

"Shh…"

Something or some things were coming this way. Rustling, but it wasn't the wind. Looking hrough the bush, there was a light source from the left path. As it drew closer, I could see Hoshidan colors. Maybe, the ones that managed to escape. I stopped looking.

"There's the fork in the road. If we head left, it should take us back to Hoshido."

"Well done, ninja. Take a knee and we'll continue onwards."

Two of them, based on their voices. Strange. Why were they resting on a pathway? Shouldn't they be keeping off the path?

"So, whose turn is it to lead, now that we lost Kaze?"

That's a third voice. Three of them.

"Doesn't matter. Why do you think we stopped following his orders when we got attacked by those things? Our own royalty was a fool in thinking he would be able to lead-do you have any more of that? I ran out."

"Sure, here." A small pause. "Why is Kaze called 'The Fool', anyways?"

"Beats me." Food in that one's mouth. "Probably some story involving his twin brother, Saizo."

"Guys, let's stop it there. I…sort of know what happened."

There were four of them. That sounds about right for a scouting party.

"You guys know that Saizo's just a name for an ancestor-"

*snap*

I looked at Elise. She looked at me and shook her head. Okay, that probably means that we didn't break a branch.

The banter of the soldiers stopped. I looked through the bush. They were making signals to each other. One of them looked like they wanted to leave, but another, likely the "leader" at the point, motioned to stay here and have two of them check it out. They were headed back the way we came.

Two groups to look out for. I tapped Elise's shoulder, pointed to my eyes, and then pointed to the group that was at the junction. She nodded.

I would be watching the other group. They suddenly stopped and pointed at the ground. It was our footprints, and the fact that we were still here means that they're still fresh. They started signaling back the group at the junction.

"They're telling them to come back," Elise whispered.

I nodded, while looking at my group as they walked back into one group.

"Nohrian. They came down this path."

"We're not here for prisoners. Let's get back to Hoshido-I'll lead."

All four of them left on the right path.

I guess that means we have to go left. On my back, Elise.

…

While on my back, Elise took the time to look through her bag to find some food and a light source. Both were well needed since this was going to take a while. Hopefully, this was the last time we would be seeing any Hoshidans, and if us going back the way they came from isn't a sign that we were headed to Windmire, then we might as well go to Hoshido and see about finding our way back there.

We were at the base of a mountain. Looking up…we were back the Northern Fortress! "Elise. Elise wake up!"

Elise managed to fall asleep. "Weiss…what's going on?"

"We're back at the Northern Fortress. We're almost to safety."

"Thank the Gods. I thought-"

*rumble* *rumble* *rumble* *rumble* *rumble* *rumble* *rumble*

What the-?

A stone from the rock was moving nearby.

Quick. Stay close to the base of the mountain.

I had Elise and I close to the mountain.

Two figures exited from the rock. It was the ninja, Kaze, and the Flame Tribeswoman, Rinkah. How did they escape?

"Well, we managed to get out. Can't believe you would decide to disarm all the traps."

"They believe in trapping their enemies as much as leading allies to an escape. If ever we do come back here, then we have a better chance of taking the tower."

"So, you're not the Fool that everyone takes you for."

"Believe what you will, Daughter of the Flame Chieftain."

*rumble* *rumble* *rumble* *rumble* *rumble* *rumble* *rumble*

The two of them looked back at the rock as it was closing the path back-

*WROOOAAAR*

One of the monsters rushing towards them, and they couldn't hear it or its roaring because of that rock.

Help them.

What? No! We have a way back.

Help. Them.

Damnit. "LOOK OUT!"

The two of them saw us. I pointed behind them. They turned to see the monster there and moved out of the way before it punched where they stood.

I dropped Elise and prepared to fight it.

Get around it. Attack its back!

Monster was too fast. It was quick to react that I was going for a blindspot!

*crack*

Someone threw a rock at its mask. The monster started to hold its head in pain. From where the rock was thrown-Kaze.

"Look for an opening! Defeat it!"

Kaze was joining me in this fight.

Go between his legs! Attack!

"Haaaaah!" While stunned, I slipped between the monster legs and started attacking its back!

One. Two. Three. Four. Five-fall back! It's trying to get to you!

*SMASH*

I was out of reach, but a strange mist was emanating from the monster.

"It's healing itself! You need to beat it now!"

This monster was definitely tougher than the ones that I've faced before-it mask was off, showing a human face, demented by the size and appearance of the monster. By the Gods-THAT'S what's behind those masks!?

It was running towards me.

You are ready.

What?

Defend. Attack.

Okay. Block the incoming attack.

The monster punches and it connects with the katana, effectively breaking it and pushing me back.

But it didn't hurt. In fact, something strange was welling up inside of me.

Attack.

With the remaining katana, I rushed at it. It tries to punch me, but it misses.

A dream starts to play. A wounded dragon, uses his claws numerous times to take down one last enemy, before ending the battle with one last blast of fire from his stomach!

*WROOOAaaaarr…*

Defeated. In a burst of flames.

"AHHHH!"

Elise. "Elise!"

"Don't move!"

Rinkah had her on the ground in an arm bond. Elise tried to escape, but Rinkah twisted her arm to stop.

"You move a step, and I break her arm. Kaze, bind Lady Weiss' arms."

As Kaze was about to bring the rope out. I grabbed him and brought my katana to his neck. "You don't think I don't know that you both don't have any weapons?"

"Huh. You're back to being a Fool, Kaze. But you, Lady Weiss, wouldn't let your dear sister suffer further?"

Damnit! Her hostage was higher up the rung-what was I thinking!? "Just let her go, and I won't kill him."

I could see her tears.

"I am sorry, Lady Weiss, but I have a mission to uphold."

Kaze. What-

*zip*

Something pricked my chest. A dart.

Everything suddenly went silent.

*heartbeat* *heartbeat* *heartbeat* *heartbeat* *heartbeat*

I fell to my knees.

No. Get up!

*heartbeat* *heartbeat* *heartbeat* *heartbeat*

I was on my hands.

Please get up!

*heartbeat* *heartbeat* *heartbeat*

My eyes…I couldn't…I couldn't…

*heartbeat* *heartbeat*

ELISE!

*heartbeat*