Author's Note: Once again, more delays. Whoop dee doo. Mostly out of laziness this time. Though, I did have writer's block for a while and then got my idea, but had no time to write it out so I forgot it again . And I also have about 3 projects to do in the span of two weeks, and I'm only halfway done two of them. The story is gonna get kind of angsty too.

Spoilers in the next set of chapters: Chapter 22: Solo. The one with the priests and stuff.

Chapter 35:

"Muarim?" Trigger said, out of breath. His brother lay on a bed; his hand slumped over his stomach. He breathed raggedly; but at least he was breathing. Trigger let out a sigh of relief. He noticed movement to his right and looked there; to see Rhys with a staff held up. His other hand was in the way of Mist, who trembled with fear. "Guys… I'm okay now…" Trigger said, taking a step forward to them. They responded by shuffling back further, and he knew it was of no use.

He headed towards his brother and knelt by him, and took something from his pocket. He pulled out a small emerald pendant and placed it in Muarim's hand. Just holding it seemed to calm Muarim down, and soon his breathing became steady. He stood up and turned to look at the two healers, when they flinched in response. He sighed, and was about to take a step to leave the tent.

"Why leave so soon?" Mordecai asked. Trigger didn't notice that the laguz had entered the tent, and he also noted that he was followed by Ike and Soren. "You not happy to see brother alive?"

"Of course I'm happy!" Trigger said. Mordecai waited expectantly. « Everyone is happy to see him alive. But no one is happy that I'm alive. » Trigger thought. Mordecai looked at him quizzically, wondering what the youngster was thinking of.

"Rhys," Ike said, to break the tension. "How long until Muarim wakes up?" Ike continued. The priest was still focused upon Trigger, and he didn't hear the question; or at least he didn't answer it. "Rhys?" Ike said, in a louder tone.

"Oh! Uh… i-i-it will be… I-I think…" Rhys stammered. Trigger shook his head; knowing that it was his fault the priest was so unsettled. Tears began to well in his eyes, and then he dashed past Mordecai out of the tent. Soren shook his head with a smile on his face, and chuckled lowly. Mist stepped out from behind Rhys.

"What's so funny?" She asked, angrily. Everyone, caught back by her sudden forwardness, stood quietly. "Yes, Trigger is scary; but he's only caring for his family! What if I transformed because Ike was dying, would you all treat me the same way?" She said. Rhys hung his head in shame and Soren looked out of the tent. "We're all horrible people, and I wished I had realised this sooner." She said. She ran out of the tent to follow Trigger.

---

Trigger sat along the banks of a river in the forest edges of their encampment. He lazily lobbed stones into the water randomly, sighing and thinking.

"It's because of me that people are so uneasy… and they're not concentrated. There's no way we can win the war like this…" He mumbled. He then threw a stone angrily, and a loud sploosh of water ensued. Through the noise, he didn't hear Mist run up, panting, until the water had stilled.

"Trigger… I… I'm sorry!" She mustered through her breaths. Trigger stood up, back still turned to her. "Trigger, I realised that-"

"Don't bother." Trigger interrupted. Mist held her breath, as suddenly the once docile voice became angry. Was he going to transform again? Mist didn't know, and having no way to defend herself she stood frozen in fear. "You're all the same. You know that? Everyone single one of you is afraid of power, afraid of outer looks; when you can't see past them!" Trigger turned around angrily, and he saw Mist take a step back. He was about to say something else, then he stormed off towards his tent. Mist stood there, wondering what had caused him to say that.

By morning, no one could see any sign of Trigger.

Chapter 36:

Trigger looked at the sky. How long had he been walking? He couldn't tell anymore...

He didn't even remember why he left.

He could only recall anger and sadness. Everyone was happy that Muarim would live; but looks told him that they wanted him dead. He never wanted people to be angry by his existence. So, he took the easiest way out; to make everyone happy.

He left.

Without a word, without saying anything. No note was left, and nothing remained in the empty tent. Oscar had even convinced Rolf to go and say sorry and move back in. Rolf was the first to know that Trigger had gone. He had come back yelling.

But through all the commotion, people didn't care. To them, a threat had been eliminated. A handful of people; Mist, Oscar, Ike, and Mia were the only ones to worry. Then, Muarim woke up.

No one knows how. In fact, by all physical means, he should have still been asleep. However; his body had fully healed, he called a small meeting with the four people who were worried... his first concern was the whereabouts of...

"Trigger. Where is he?" Muarim asked. Ike shook his head, and Mist looked away. "Is he alright?" Muarim continued.

"We don't know. He's not here anymore..." Mia said, looking away.

"Oh... if I hadn't been so mean to him... he wouldn't have left! I'm so sorry!" Rolf said, tearing.

"Shh..." Mist said, hugging Rolf. "We were all mean... we were all hateful... it's not just your fault." She added.

Muarim looked fretful. "So he's left? Just like that? Without leaving anything?" He asked. Everyone shook their head.

"The only left is that pendant." Mia said, pointing at what Muarim carried around. Muarim looked at it; and only realised it then. Carrying it had been a sort of reflex; and he just now found it to not belong. "Trigger put that with you when you were healing. I can't say for sure... but it looks like that made the process faster. Do you have any idea what that is?" Mia asked.

Muarim shook his head, his gaze not being averted from the pendant. "No, I don't. But I plan on asking Trigger once I catch up with him." He replied. Ike stood up.

"You're not seriously leaving too, are you? We're moving into enemy lines! We need you here!" Ike said.

"I know that!" Muarim retorted. Both he and Ike were caught off guard, and he took a deep breath. "I know I'm needed here... but I'm also needed elsewhere. You can't expect me to choose!" Muarim said. Ike sat down, pondering the situation.

"Sir Ike!" A scout called from outside.

"Enter." Ike replied.

"We have found a church! It has been reported that shady characters are being sighted around there! Do you think the Daein are taking refuge inside the church?" The scout asked.

"I'll go with a group to investigate. Thank you." Ike replied. The scout nodded, and left; but he stopped.

"Oh sir, it's also reported rabid Laguz have been seen around the area. You should be careful!" The scout said. Ike looked at the scout oddly, then let him go.

"Rabid Laguz? You don't think... Trigger?" Mia wondered.

"It's a possibility. We should check this out." Oscar replied.

"I'm going then." Muarim added. Everyone turned at him. "Don't be so surprised if it is Trigger then we already know what to expect. If not, then we have a faint idea." Muarim replied. "And I'm... worried about him."

Ike smiled.

Chapter 37:

Ike and the small group; consisting of Rhys, Muarim, Mia, Boyd, Titania, Soren, and Volke; arrived at the chapel early. Ike looked over to see Muarim trying to scope out for Trigger; but the dejected look on the laguz' face told him that there was no sight of the young boy.

Then, he heard footsteps coming from within the chapel. Ike looked over, to see a man walk up to him. The man wasn't a priest; in fact he was the complete opposite. The man looked poor; his clothes were beaten and weathered, though the man did sport an axe on his back. A mercenary perhaps? Or...

"Who are you? This place isn't safe; you should leave soon if you value your lives." The man said.

"There's been reports of suspicious activities around here. Know anything about that?" Ike asked. The man shook his head.

"Have you seen any rabid laguz around here?" Muarim asked aftwards, sounding a little desperate. The man's face turned to shock, but after a moment the man shook his head again. Muarim found this just a little odd... just a little.

"Nope, no one's around here except me and a few priests-" The man started. All of a sudden, one of the back doors burst open, and a priest ran out.

"Leave me alone! Someone help! Bandits inside the chapel!" The priest yelled. He was soon grabbed by a more menacing man, who stared over at the entrance. His face showed horror; as if he had been caught.

"Our cover's blown, boys! Let's get 'em!" The bandit leader said. Bandits filed out from every direction possible; but that wasn't all. Each bandit had his own captive; either a priest or a bishop. Muarim growled at the sight.

"I knew something was up. Human captives. And when I mentioned laguz... there must be a few feral ones here as well." Muarim said, growling at the thought. He removed his head band from his pocket, and began to slip it on. He nodded to Ike before he transformed; and as soon as he had transformed into his Tiger form; the Mercenaries moved into position.

---

Trigger wandered back towards the Begnion borders. Becoming a little tired, he noticed a small village not too far from the border. Deciding that would be a plausible place to rest, he headed over; but found something else that awaited him. A line of people filed towards the centre of the village. Wondering what was up, Trigger headed towards the center.

As he walked, shouts began to fill his ears.

"Heal my son!"

"Offer me wisdom!"

"Do you do exorcisms?"

These cries, and many more with similar meanings became mixed in the further he went in. He walked right past the line; and people didn't seem to notice. He got to the centre of the village; a large fountain with the Goddess Ashera, and found a priest sitting there; on the edge of the fountain.

"What's the problem, young one?" The priest asked, to a crying little girl.

"Mo...mo... she's... she's... sick!" The girl said, sniffling. She held up a very fat cat, and the priest smiled.

"She's not sick. In fact; she's ready for life!" The priest said. The girl looked at him oddly, and he smiled; rubbing his fingers over her face to wipe away her tears. "She's going to have a baby. Soon; so be ready." The priest said. The girls' eyes lit up, then she ran home; the pregnant cat dangling in her arms.

Trigger could see that the priest was very young; and had blond hair. He resembled Rhys in a way; with the hairstyle; but his face was very different. He had green eyes and an aura of friendliness about him. His smile was warm and gentle; and he was smiling at him. The priest chuckled, and this caused everyone in the line to look over.

"Get in line!" Someone yelled.

"Wait your turn!" Another added.

Trigger blushed and took a step back; but found a hand on his shoulder. He looked behind him, to see that the priest stood there.

"Now, now... I will be happy to help you all. However, I cannot refuse a friend! If you'll excuse me, we have much catching up to do." The priest replied. He led Trigger off and people nodded, then went back to their daily work.

"Do I know you?" Trigger asked, once they were out of earshot.

"Child, I know all. The Goddess guides me to those who need help; and guides those who need help to me." The priest said. The priest was very young; but to Trigger he was also very enlightened.

"How did you know that I was in need of help?" Trigger asked. The priest smiled. They sat down on a bench on the edge of the square.

"Your face." The priest replied. Trigger looked at him quizzically. "But before that, what is your name? I, am Peth'Mael Dannar, of the Dannar Order."

"Trigger." He replied, gulping. The priest smiled. "What did you mean my face?" Trigger asked.

"Your face can tell people many things; how much sadness you've endured, how much anger you hold, or how much joy you are feeling. Your face is a mix of all these, and many more. I could tell that in your confusion, you needed guidance. Now, tell me, what can I do for you?" Peth'Mael asked.

"What about those people in the line?" Trigger wondered, almost ignoring the priest's question. "They waited for so long..."

"And yet they have nothing to ask. Their matters are far less important that yours. Their daily trifles are nothing, compared to a life lived in suffering." The priest said. Trigger looked at him, and tears began to well in his eyes. "You know, tears are your emotions coming into physical form. It's alright for you to shed a tear... especially when your face tells me your whole life was full of them." Peth'Mael added.

"I... One more question. Okay?" Trigger asked. Peth'Mael nodded. "Do you know about what I am?" Trigger inquired.

"How you are a Branded child? Yes. Did your hair hide it? Yes; but I have helped so many different kinds of people I can tell them apart." Peth'Mael replied. Trigger smiled. "No, I don't care that you're Branded. I'll help you."

"Then you have to listen... and listen well. The story is quite a long one." Trigger replied. Peth'Mael chuckled.

"Do not worry child, I have all the time in the world." The priest replied, smiling.