EDITING PROCESS:

Oct 7, 2006, 01:56 PM - Chapters 23-27 Finished!

Didn't actually change that much. Added a few more actions, and changed some minor details (like Trigger getting stabbed; and pulling out that dagger to stab the guy who stabbed him. Instead, I used his spare dagger).

ZOMG! Muarim deathy! -cries-

But if you're already read this all the way through, you know he's not dead.

Next up: Vore Trigger!

Trigger: Jugular's taste like chicken!

Muarim: Oo

Chapter 23:

"Next fight, promise me that you stay close." The words rang through Muarim's mind as the Mercenaries approached the battlefield. « I'm here. I'm coming. » The laguz thought. As the Mercenaries stepped forward, Daein soldiers stepped out from behind hills and from the forest around them. Surprisingly, laguz were there too; crows and ravens if Muarim wasn't mistaken.

"What? Laguz and Daein working together?" Muarim said. He looked at Ike, and then the picture of the black feather came to both of their minds. "So, the Daein seal wasn't a fake. They were working together." Muarim noted. Ike nodded, and soon a Swordmaster appeared many yards in front of them. He held up a signal; he wanted to talk. Both knew that it was about Trigger, and both approached. The swordmaster came alone; but the two Mercenaries could see that all troops around them were all ready to strike.

"So, you've read our agreement. Your decision?" The Swordmaster asked. Muarim stepped forward. It seemed weird that a laguz would speak on behalf of a beorc Commander; but this was part of the plan.

"We're not going back. We're going forward, and we're taking Trigger with us." Muarim said. The Swordmaster sneered at him. "Though, we did come to an alternate decision, if you'd like to hear it." Muarim added. The Swordmaster looked at him questioningly, but then allowed Muarim to continue. "Trade my place for his; he's just a child. I'm much more of a threat on the battlefield than he is." Muarim finished. The Swordmaster placed a hand on his chin, and smiled. He tapped the hilt of his sword; as if weighing out the choices.

"Alright. But… you're going there. We're not bringing him to you. You'll just run off with him, and plan another attack." The Swordmaster said, clapping his hands. Muarim growled, and clenched a fist. The swordmaster recognized this; and sneered again.

"… Fine. As long as he gets back to this side safely." Muarim said. The Swordmaster gave a very teasing bow, and walked away; motioning for Muarim to go with him. Muarim nodded at Ike, and Ike returned to the small group that awaited them at the base of the mountains.

---

The small group consisted of Mist, Mordecai, Soren, Oscar and Titania. The real group was hidden around the forests; waiting for a signal. They hoped that the Daein soldiers hadn't seen them hiding.

Above, Marcia and Tanith flew on their pegasi; but at the height they were at, they looked like nothing more than a two birds that circled overhead. Vultures, just waiting for the right time to come down and reap their rewards.

"Ike! So, is the plan in motion?" Mist asked. Ike nodded. It was all up to Muarim now.

---

Trigger noticed that two people were approaching his post. He was in the far back of the clearing; he could see everything. He had noticed that though it was only a small group that came with Ike, no more than perhaps six people. Only one was returning; he wondered where the other person had went.

It dawned upon him that one of the people who had met with the Daein general was now the other person returning. As the two people got closer, Trigger saw that one of them was Muarim.

"Muarim! Muarim! What happened?" Trigger asked. Muarim looked up, and shook his head. The Swordmaster laughed, and he then ordered a soldier to come to him. Trigger's ears strained to listen to what they said.

"They're fools. They've given us two hostages; kill that small group down there. The leader is with them; with this move we shall break their morale and force them to retreat!" The Swordmaster said. The soldier saluted, and soon the Daein forces were in movement. Trigger could see that they wheeled out ballistae from their camp through the forest. Also, the laguz started to appear as well; and the one that seemed to lead them was the arrogant one dressed in black.

"Sir, the troops are ready; but the Crimean army has seen our movements! The small group is readying to attack!" The soldier said. The Swordmaster smiled, and waved it off.

"Does it matter? There's so little; we barely need to move. Let Naesala and the crows take care of them. If they somehow get past those filthy sub-humans, make sure the ballistae are ready." The Swordmaster said. He then looked over to the black-clad laguz. "You get that Naesala?" The Swordmaster yelled. Naesala waved him away with a hand, and started ordering crows around.

« Naesala huh… I'll remember that name! He'll pay for putting me on here!» Trigger thought, eyeing the laguz. He wriggled again, and his body died away into a dull numbness. More orders were shot around, and Trigger eyed the battlefield. Soon, the Mercenaries were trapped in the bottom-left corner of the clearing.

"He better know what he's doing." The Swordmaster grumbled. He then remembered that Muarim was a prisoner and ordered two crows to tie him to the pole; on a lower level. Muarim complied, and Trigger was amazed that he'd given up so easily. His brother was backhanded fiercely; but Muarim gave nothing more than a weak growl. The crows laughed, and tied Muarim to the pole; and headed off to battle.

"Attack!" Naesala ordered, and the crows began their move towards the Mercenaries. Trigger could faintly see their outlines; but saw that they readied themselves for battle. They stood no chance; especially not in these conditions. They would have to climb the hills; where the crows and ballistae waited. The crows could fly at them; out of range, and easily retreat back up the hill if needed.

"NOOOOO!" Trigger yelled futilely, aching to escape from the bonds that held him. He looked down at Muarim, who was staring back up at him, but what surprised Trigger was that Muarim had a smile on his face. Muarim looked away; to the forests around them, and roared loudly. As soon as the roar was let loose, two soldiers tried to hold him down; but then more Mercenaries charged out of the forest on all sides. It was a deceiving plan, and yet so simple.

As Mercenaries came out; they branched off. Some up here to help Muarim; and some went towards Ike at the bottom. A pincer attack so easily executed. Trigger looked back to the Swordmaster, who was in shock at what happened around him. He barely had any time as he ordered his units to move out, the ravens obviously too far to help him now. Muarim leapt up; already transformed, and clawed at the ropes that bound Trigger. How he'd escaped, Trigger wasn't sure, but he found himself falling. His limbs were weak from being bound, and he fell at an alarming descent; trying to cling at the pole. He was too weak, and he found it hard to get a good grip.

Before he hit the ground, a hawk came from behind and swept him up, then placed him gently on the ground.

"Who-who're you?" Trigger asked. The hawk looked at him sternly, as if this wasn't the time to ask names. It really wasn't, but Trigger just had to make sure the enemy hadn't caught him.

"Ulki. I'm also here with Janaff, another hawk. We're here with Prince Reyson; on behalf of his wishes. You could say we're part of the Mercenaries now." Ulki said. They barely had time for introductions, as the soldiers now had turned towards them and started to run. "Can you fight?" Ulki asked. Trigger waved his limbs around, and found that they had started to recover; but were nowhere near useful in a fight. Ulki threw two daggers at him, and he was surprised he caught them. "We've got this under control. Don't get yourself killed." Ulki said. He flew into the fray, and Trigger knew he had to join in sometime soon.

He eyed the hill where the ravens where, and started to run in that direction. He still had to pay Naesala back for what he had done.

Chapter 24:

Trigger was running about the fray, taking what one could call pot-shots at soldiers. As he ran through the fray, still too weak to actually engage in a fight, he would run by soldiers that were distracted and gain a free shot at them. It was their fault for not paying attention; at least, that was what he thought. As he ran past another one, jutting his knife downwards into the back of the soldier's knee, essentially crumpling the man to the ground in a pool of blood and cries; he looked up and saw his target: Naesala. His fist clenched and he pulled the dagger out roughly, cutting up the soldier's leg.

He didn't know why, but he had rejuvenated strength all of a sudden. He felt he could wipe out the whole army; just to get to that crow. He started to run at Naesala, but then the hawk named Ulki flew up to him. Ulki seemed to say something and Naesala looked surprised, then Ulki flew off. Naesala headed in Trigger's direction. He raised his dagger, but then the crow flew straight over him and continued past him. Trigger saw that he headed towards Prince Reyson; was he attempting to kill the prince? Trigger ran back, wondering what the crow would do. He expected something that low from the crow. Naesala reached Reyson, and then…

Naesala ordered a retreat. Trigger stood there, as the crow's commands bellowed over the battlefield. The crows all looked around somewhat confused, but decided not to doubt their leader. They began to retreat, one by one, into the forests and hills surrounding the battlefield. Soon, the Mercenaries were almost equally matched in numbers to the Daein forces.

« Why? Why would he just order a retreat? What did Prince Reyson and that Ulki say? » Trigger wondered. His thoughts were cut off, as a spearman came charging at him. The battle was far from over.

Trigger leaned back and the spear passed over his stomach; grazing it lightly. He winced as the cool air stung the open wound, but instead he held back the temptation to yell out. He wouldn't let the Daein soldier have that small victory from a measly scratch. He continued to lean back and kicked upwards, using his hands as his "legs". He wobbled a bit, his arms still numb; but determination kept him going. Making what seemed like a backwards cartwheel, he kicked the spear out of the soldier's hands. It landed to his right with a thud.

The soldier looked at him, somewhat in awe at the aerobic manoeuvre and also somewhat in shock. He wouldn't let himself be bested by a child, and he removed something from his back. Trigger couldn't see it from right in front of him, but soon he was ducking swipes from a sword. The soldier was skilled; and he barely even let up. Trigger could barely find time to breathe, as he was forced to react as soon as he had dodged. He rolled to his right; but when he did he rolled over his sore arms and legs. He got up and winced in pain again; these weak limbs were becoming a nuisance.

"Tired, are you?" The soldier said. Trigger looked at him defiantly, and spat at his feet. The soldier smiled, and charged forward at him. He stabbed forward which made Trigger hop to his right. The soldier then swung his sword in a wide arc, and Trigger leapt high into the air to avoid it. He realised he had left himself open; as he was beginning his descent the soldier was already waiting. He then saw a flash of green and smiled. The soldier looked at him, almost as if in wonder to why the child was smiling. Then; that same flash of green collided with him. He was knocked to the ground, unconscious, and his sword flew from his hands.

"You said for me to stay close. Sorry it took a while." Muarim said. Trigger smiled and nodded. "You okay? You seem like you're hurting." Muarim asked. Thinking about it brought back the aching pain, so Trigger attempted to block out the memory and simply nodded. "Good; it's going to be a rough fight. They've realised that they were deserted; and now fight with anger coursing through them."

Chapter 25:

Muarim was right. The soldiers began fighting fiercely; hardly dodging, hardly moving really. The snipers sat, shooting arrows at closer units and used the ballista when they could. They were pulling out all the stops. Trigger looked around in the confusion and saw that they didn't seem to care anymore. The Swordmaster ordered them to fight to the finish; and to top that they were also angered by the fact that the laguz had deserted them. They stood alone, isolated on the battlefield; but wouldn't go out with a fight.

The Greil Mercenaries, however, provided more than a challenge.

Spells flew, arrows whizzed, and the clang of metal rang through the air. Soon enough, the Mercenaries slowly worked their way towards the Swordmaster, from both sides.

"Ahhh! Help me!" Rhys yelled from behind him. Trigger whirled around, and soon he could see everything around him like it happened in the dream. A soldier approached Rhys slowly, a crude smile on his face. His sword was in his right hand, and he took steps almost taunting Rhys to run. Trigger just stood there, unmoving, and soon he couldn't distinct between the reality and the dream.

Something was wrong though; Rhys wasn't dressed the same way as before. He didn't have a bishop's hat, and no Light Tome was in sight. He couldn't put his finger on what was different other than that. He half expected the priest to pull out the book from under his robes and easily overpower his enemy; but he didn't. The swordfighter was now a few feet away. Trigger decided to help Rhys, but he found he couldn't move. He wondered what held him back; he wondered what would not allow him to help the priest. He merely stood there; a statue, an unmoving golem.

A blur of green stormed past him, and charged at the soldier. The soldier whirled around; but it was too late. The blur of green was the last the soldier saw. "Pull yourself together! We can't let our healers be attacked!" Ulki scolded. Trigger frowned, and nodded; the hawk had seen the whole thing. Everything was different from his dream; so it wasn't going to happen… right?

Trigger began to run to the priest, who looked at him somewhat worriedly. "Everything okay?" Trigger said, trying to make a tone that sounded as calm as possible. Rhys nodded, and dusted himself off.

"I was a bit worried there; but the question is are YOU okay?" Rhys asked back. "You don't look too good..." Rhys added. Trigger looked at the Priest solemnly, and Rhys decided that it wasn't the time to pry.

"It's great and all that you can fight and move again; but the fight is nowhere near over. The Mercenaries are almost in contact with the leader; and they're expecting us to pincer. Mia, Stefan, and Zihark are already in position. Prince Reyson and Janaff are almost there as well. We'd better join up." Ulki said. Trigger looked to the ground and nodded, and then the three of them started to fight their way over.

Their made their way easily past the small amount of enemies that attempted to block their way. Trigger had now regained enough strength to fight proficiently, and the hawk swerved in and out; clawing and pecking aggressively. Rhys was alert as well; he dodged efficiently and took care of even the most minor wounds that either Trigger or Ulki received. Trigger had a smile on his face; the adrenaline coursing through his veins.

« It's different. It's not the same. It won't happen. He'll be alright. I've gotta take care of myself. » Trigger thought. He could watch Muarim a few yards away; transformed and easily weaving through the fray.

It would be okay.

Chapter 26:

Trigger kept moving forward, and soon the number of enemies that blocked his way increased. It seemed that they had made a final attempt to block them from reaching their leader; but it wouldn't work. He was determined to let this swordmaster know that trying to use him as a hostage was a big mistake. He had almost reached the swordmaster, when he was suddenly grabbed from behind and thrown back. He landed on his feet, and Trigger found himself standing in front of two berserkers, who had smiles on their faces.

"'Ey, look! It's just a little kid. And we were so worried about some powerful warrior coming to get us!" One of them said. Trigger smirked, and then ran at the two. They both readied bows they had strapped to their backs, and fired at the same time. It became soon apparent that they weren't the smartest fighters. He easily dodged to his left side as both arrows whizzed past him. If he hadn't changed course, he would have two wooden sticks prodding through his stomach.

The berserkers furiously shot another wave of arrows, which was just as easily dodged. Trigger was quickly closing the distance. He began to wonder why they hadn't changed to their melee weapons yet. He was soon in range when the berserkers stepped aside, revealing a ballista. The sniper behind it let the large bolt go, and it soared at an amazing speed. Trigger barely had time to move to his right to dodge. It easily tore through his shirt; and it left much more than a graze. It had cut pretty deep; but it hadn't even touched him. The simple speed of it cutting through the air had given him the wound; and it already hurt.

The berserkers proved that they weren't as dumb as they were thought out to be, as one was quickly in front of Trigger; axe in the air. Trigger brought his dagger upwards, its blade blocking the hilt of the axe. The other berserker had already moved in from behind and swung horizontally. Trigger didn't have enough time to dodge; so he pushed the berserker in front of him. The front one barely moved much; and Trigger felt the sharp metal slice across his back. The wound wasn't deep; but he could feel warm liquid trailing down his back.

The berserker behind him laughed a low, resounding laugh; and it sent a chill up Trigger's spine; despite the warmth it was currently receiving. Trigger fell to his knees and the berserker in front of him raised his axe above his head.

"The Mercenaries are so stupid for sending a child. Your life ends here, runt." The berserker said. He smirked, and brought his axe down. Trigger closed his eyes, waiting for death's embrace. He'd been too sure of himself; that he'd forgotten about the ballista.

"And you're too stupid for checking your blind spot." Ulki said, dashing in from behind the berserker. He was already out of laguz form; but that still didn't mean he could shove someone. The berserker, thrown off balance, nearly dropped his axe. The sniper, who had just finished reloading the ballista, fired a bolt at Ulki. The hawk quickly ascended; the bolt passing harmlessly under him. The berserker turned around and was about to slash at the hawk; but found a ballista arrow going through his stomach. The berserker gurgled, and blood came out from his mouth. He fell first to his knees, and then finally to his rest.

Blood splattered onto Trigger's face, and the horrors of his first battle came back to his mind. This was war; and if you weren't careful, you could die a death like that. Even at the hands of your own army.

This was the horrible, deadly truth of war.

Chapter 27:

"You okay?" Rhys said from behind, easily mending Trigger's wound. He felt his skin close and heal; but knew that there would be a very slight scar across his back. Trigger got up and nodded, then turned around. The other berserker was busy fighting off something he couldn't see; and he swiped at the air menacingly, spouting off curses. Trigger couldn't see what he was fighting at first, but soon he saw small traces of green. At least he had found his brother; and it was a good thing he was watching his back.

Muarim moved quicker than Trigger had ever seen; he could barely keep an eye traved on his movements. The berserker was much too slow; swinging at the empty space Muarim left behind after he'd already moved.

Trigger turned around as a cry alerted him to something. His attacker, a halberdier, came charging blindly into the fray. Rhys stepped to the side as Trigger met the halberdier head-on; catching the soldier off-guard. He took the man to the ground and punched him in the ribs hard; sending pain up his own arm. The soldier, breath taken out of him, tried to roll to his side. Trigger stabbed a dagger into the ground; no more than a few centimetres away from the man's head. If the soldier could roll any faster, he would have put himself in a very deep sleep.

The halberdier kicked upwards, sending Trigger off of him. His spear was too far for him to get without Trigger regaining composure; but he realised that Trigger's dagger was still jutted into the ground. He picked it out and quickly stood; the dagger in his right hand. Trigger got up, and instantly knew that the halberdier had taken his dagger. He pulled out his other one and held it forward in his left hand, nearly daring the soldier to attack.

The soldier ran forward, swiping so fast Trigger could barely see the blade. The halberdier had no obvious skill; but he was deadly quick. There was no time to block or counter; Trigger kept taking back steps to avoid the slashes. The soldier smiled; having Trigger on the defensive. He continued to stab and slash his way to Trigger, and easily got a few cuts on Trigger's arms. Trigger thought he found an opening and tried to make his way in. The soldier stabbed at Trigger's left shoulder. Trigger quickly dodged to the right and bolted forward; but the soldier retracted his arm and placed it in Trigger's right shoulder instead.

Trigger, pain now seething into his arm, couldn't move his right arm anymore. He passed his dagger from his left hand to his right; and took his left hand and pulled the dagger towards him, pushing it in a little further. The halberdier hadn't expected such a gruesome move; and let go of the dagger. Trigger quickly passed the dagger in his hands back again, and raised it high. He even leapt into the air, tackling the halberdier from above. He drove the dagger down, into the soldier's skull. The halberdier's eyes rolled back as blood began to slowly dribble down his face. Trigger panted, knowing that Rhys wouldn't be able to fix this wound as easily, and pulled the dagger out of his shoulder.

"Watch out!" Rhys called, and Trigger looked around. He spotted the sniper from before, aiming towards him; the last round of the ballista arrows already in place. He let it fire and Trigger knew that it was too fast. He knew there would be no chance of survival this time; no dodge could get him out of its way. Then, he felt something brush past him arm that sent a pain up. He gritted his teeth and soon a green blur jumped in front of him. Time seemed to slow, and he could see the green tiger that was his brother leap in front of him.

Trigger wanted to yell. He wanted to push Muarim out of the way. But he couldn't everything happened so fast. Even if time did seem to slow. He could only watch as the tiger's body was sprawled out in mid air, and then it crumpled as the ballista arrow pierced its stomach. It bent back a little at the force, and then it was flung back; tackling Trigger. They both fell to the ground, and Trigger rolled him off slowly. Horrified, he knelt beside his brother, his left hand trembling; as he didn't dare to touch him. The pain was gone; but something inside him burned.

His arms tingled, not with pain or numbness; but they just tingled. His body surged with energy, and he found his right hand somehow clenched into a fist. He looked once more at his brother, and tears started to flow freely from his eyes. He looked to the skies, and cried.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!"