Mark was unsure how long he sat there, but the rain had turned into a drizzle and it was still light out. The clouds hadn't cleared, and none of the wildlife had come back out from the storm. Mark had already closed Florina's eyes, and she wasn't warm anymore, but he gently held her with both arms to his chest. Despite it all, he wasn't crying yet. Maybe he was just exhausted from the events of the day, because he was definitely deeply saddened. Florina's head rested just below his chin, and Mark held both his hands around her, gently rocking back and forth. Eventually, he was rested enough and broken enough that he stood up with Florina in his arms and began to walk towards the castle. Mark could hardly move but as he had been doing all day, he forced himself onward. Eventually he was back at the front gates of the castle. Everyone was still there, talking with people from the castle, healing wounds, and generally having celebration. Even the mercenaries under Lundgren's order seemed happy that it was all over. Mark remained stone faced as he went through the crowd. Some went silent, some looked at him with pity before turning away, but only those that knew who the dead girl was had any real reaction.

The first one Mark came across was Nils. Nils could only stare, as he grabbed his flute slowly and began to play into Mark's mind. The music was beautiful, slow and calming. Mark sighed and continued towards the gates. Kent and Sain eyed Mark as he passed. Sain whimpered lightly and started walking towards him, but Kent put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head. Serra started crying and leaned onto Erk. Erk pulled her into a hug but kept his eyes on Mark. Mark gave him a slight nod to let him know he was alright. Wil was nowhere to be seen. Matthew looked at Mark with empathy but quickly turned away and walked toward Lyn and Wallace, where were talking to people in fancy clothing at the gates. Lyn had a radiant smile on her face. The battle was won, after all. Wallace noticed Matthew first and pulled him aside. Matthew pointed to Mark. Wallace turned and frowned. He held a fist to his chest and bowed his head at Mark's direction. Finally Lyn turned around. Slowly her smile began to fade. Mark looked at her with a blank expression, having already begun to adjust. Lyn's breathing began to quicken as she walked over to Mark.

When she reached, Mark quietly let he examine the body. Lyn brushed Florina's hair to the side of her face and gently placed her fingertips on her cheek. "Florina…" Lyn said, straining her voice. Her face began to contort as she tried desperately to hold back tears. She sniffled hard and burrowed her head onto Florina's shoulder. "F-Florina!" She shouted. All nearby conversation had stopped. Lyn, unable to control herself anymore started sobbing deeply. Mark let her for a few minutes. Eventually, he looked at one of the men in the fancy clothing.

"Excuse me. You have a morgue or something similar inside, correct?" Mark said quietly. The man nodded.

"Of course. Please, bring her inside. Anything we can do for you, please meerly ask. We owe you more than we can every repay, Sir Mark." The man said politely, gesturing inside and bowing. Mark nodded. He looked at Lyn.

"...Come on Lyn. We can continue inside." He said. Lyn took herself off of Florina and nodded sadly, her eyes red.

"...Y-Yeah." She said. Together the two walked inside. The castle had a massive burn streak on the western wall, but it seems the blaze hardly even touched anything. Other than that, the castle was extravagant. Chandeliers adorned the high ceiling, a spotless red rug lead through every hallway they passed by. Art hung on every wall and servants waited in every doorway. A pleasant smell was wafting from somewhere, the smell of a feast in the making. Eventually, they passed through a massive room. It was a circle with a balcony all along the top. Servants were running in and out of the room with platers, setting and bringing in tables and chairs. A chef was preparing a table with a fire mage where people could watch him cook. Mark already knew what it was for. Lyn asked, however.

"What's happening in here?" She asked. Her voice was steady, but she still sounded pained.

The man they were following bowed before responding. "This is the castle's ballroom, Marquess. We plan to hold a feast in your honor. Several farmers in the area gave us food in secret under Lundgren's rule with the instruction that should we ever all be saved from his tyranny, we hold a feast in honor of whoever ended it. Please Marquess, know that it is of our own wish that we throw this party for you. We have selected a dress in advance that we have laid in your room. We…" He sighed. "We also left the final words of your grandfather in your room. Please know we did everything in our power to save him." He said.

Lyn nodded. "It is alright. When I first heard he was dead from Lundgren… Well. It brings me no joy that I never got to meet him, but I promise you I will do my best for this kingdom. I will mend the wounds that Lundgren wrecked onto the land, and turn Caelin into something grand. I will rely on your counsel, chancellor." She said. Mark briefly noted that she was speaking in the mannerisms he had taught her all the way back in Araphen.

"I will do my absolute best. I will follow you to the ends of the Earth for what you have already done for us, my lady." The man said. Together the three continued through the castle. Mark stopped noting every room he passed through, as his sadness was catching up to him. Eventually, they reached a room in the bottom floors of the castle, which the chancellor unlocked with a ring of keys at his belt and opened for Mark. The room was small, with several body sized tables. Some were occupied, with blankets covering the dead. Only one, in the back, was available. Mark slowly brought Florina there and layed her across the table. Taking a step back, the chancellor quickly walked up to the table and set to work. First, he removed her armor and weapons, laying them next to her. Then, he laid her out on her back, adjusting parts of her body until Florina seemed merely resting, her back was flat against the table and her hands were folded on top of her chest. The chancellor set about, dressing her wounds so they were not as garish. Finally, he grabbed a bottle off of the shelf and gently sprinkled some perfume over her. Finally, he stepped back and bowed his head.

"...Thank you chancellor." Lyn said. "I will find someone to bring me to my room later. You have done plenty for now. Please rest until the banquet." She said. The chancellor bowed and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Mark didn't hear footsteps, and assumed the chancellor was waiting outside so no one would disturb them as they grieved.

"... I failed her." Mark said sadly. "In fact, I ended up getting her killed. I distracted her while she was dueling a mercenary, and it cost her her life." Mark gently placed his hand on Florina's side, where the wound that ultimately killed her was.

Lyn placed a hand on his shoulder and gently tried to sooth him by slowly bringing her hand across his back, just as Florina had in her final moments. Mark felt the knot in his throat forming again. "It is not your fault Mark. You accomplished something truly amazing today. Taking a castle with twelve people, a-and…" She swallowed hard. "And only one death i-is something to be proud of. Florina would know that. I'm sure she's not angry with you."

"...Are you?"

"...I could never be mad at you Mark. You've done to much for me. At this point you could probably slip a knife in my gut and I'd forgive you."

"... Even though it was your last friend? I remember you told me you saved her from bandits a long time ago. You've been friends ever since right?"

"..."

"And I took that from you. I've stripped you of your last friend after your clan's downfall."

"That's not true. You've given me a whole new set of friends and a whole land of people who cheer my name. And, you were my friend after my clan's downfall too."

"That shouldn't matter. I've failed. You're not even happy that you're the new Marquess, are you? You've never done anything like this before, you're only half Lycian, the driving force behind you coming here, your grandfather, is dead. Now I've left you with a country of people you don't know if you can lead. You're terrified aren't you?"

"Aren't you terrified?"

"...What?"

"You're going to be dragged back to Etruria soon, aren't you? I'm more worried about you than I am about me." Lyn looked Mark in the eyes. "...We can hide you."

"Not from Etruria you can't."

"We can try."

"The castle will burn to the ground and I'd still be taken away. Drop the subject." Mark said sternly. Lyn complied and the two stared at their fallen friend.

"...We'll hold a burial for her tomorrow. For now, she would want us to celebrate. Our journey is over. We've won. Will you join us Mark?" Lyn said. "I can ask the chancellor to give you some formal wear."

"...I think that would make me happy." Mark said, not taking his eyes off of Florina. Lyn gave Florina a kiss on the forehead and left the room. Mark continued to stare. He gently picked up her cold hand and held it with both of his. "Florina." He said. "...I want you to know you meant a great deal to me. And… I'm sorry I never really told you until the end. I was worried that with your fears you would start avoiding me, and no progress would be made. I see now that that was a mistake. Too little too late, I suppose." He placed her hand back. "I'm going back to Etruria very soon. I suspect with the fact we've just taken over the castle, someone will be here for me tonight." Mark started to shake, and finally, the tears began to flow from his eyes. "I-I'm scared Florina. I'm more scared than I've ever been in my entire life. Not when I trained, not when I've done missions for Etruria, not even when I was bleeding out in the fields months ago. I know they won't just kill me. They still want me to be Mage General but… I don't know if I can do that in good conscience. That doesn't matter though, Florina, they're going to force me. I don't think I can make it if I run away this time." He fell to his knees and placed his head on top of her stomach. "P-Please Florina, I need you, for my sanity, for my comfort, f-for my ability to even press onward in the first place. I can't live this life alone." Silence. Cold, dead silence. Mark lifted himself up and rubbed his face clean with his coat, still stained red on the sleeves. "...I'll see you again one day I'm sure." He said. "... I won't say wait for me. You should do whatever you want to now that you are in St. Elimine's care. Besides, I might be a long while yet." Mark slowly turned and started walking away. At the door he turned around and weakly smiled. "...I still have a lot I need to do." And with that, Mark closed the door, leaving Florina behind him.


The banquet was in full swing. Mark stood against the railing of the second floor balcony, his green coat tucked into the elbow of his arm. Instead of his usual outfit, Mark was in formal wear: a green overcoat with gold embroidery and gold rope crossing the chest, a white shirt with a cravat, and black silk pants. He aimlessly twirled a glass of wine in his hand as he watched the people of Caelin walking up to Lyn and thanking her for all her hard work. Lyn was wearing an extravagant blue dress that she clearly was uncomfortable in, but she was trying her best not to show it and be polite to those coming up to her. A string quartet was playing in the corner, next to a never ending buffet line. Mark slowly turned around and sat back at his table, nervously looking around at all of the guests. Sitting around Mark were Matthew, Lucius, and Wil. It was a small table, and the rest of Lyndis's Legion sat at the tables nearby. The second floor balcony was exclusive to them.

Once Mark was back, Lucius leaned in. "My lord, are you feeling alright? You look fairly pale." Mark knew he was asking out of genuine care, but it only made Mark more nervous.

"Yeah I've just got a bad feeling." Mark dismissed.

Wil, who's arm was in a sling and had a crutch leaning against his chair, casually sipped his drink and chimed in, "The fight is over Mark, rejoice! Least you don't need to hobble home." He said sarcastically, possibly slightly drunk.

"...Right." He said, ignoring the fact that everyone was about to go their separate ways. The four ate in silence until Eliwood, dressed similarly to Mark only in blue, walked up to the table looking concerned.

"Has anyone here seen Ninian? Or Nils? No one has seen them for some time apparently." He said concerned. The four sitting briefly exchanged glances and collectively shook their heads. Eliwood nodded slowly and sighed. "I see. I'm sure they're alright." He said, walking away.

"I hope it is nothing serious." Lucius said off hand.

"...They probably just ran." Mark said, his hands feeling clammy. "I have a sneaking suspicion that they're aware of the possibility that…" Mark suddenly felt a cold wind down his spine and immediately spun around in his chair to be greeted with no one.

Matthew held a hand to his shoulder. "Alright, you're not ok. What has you so jumpy?" Matthew asked like he didn't know.

Mark slowed his breath and brought his napkin to his mouth. "...It's f-fine." He stuttered, shaking his head slightly. "It's all fine."

Matthew laughed. "Yeah, obviously it's fine. Of course, how could I assume otherwise?" Matthew said sarcastically. "Listen, why don't you go down there and save our dear leader from the masses hmm? I'm sure you could both use a moment away from everything." He said, pulling Mark up. Mark pulled his arm away, but Matthew just rolled his eyes and started pushing Mark to the stairs. Mark fought for a moment before Matthew quickly moved to his side and brought him closer by wrapping his elbow around his head and pulling him to his chest. "Mark." Matthew whispered, smiling and looking around with his eyes. "Right now I'm pulling you in to mess with you, act like it." Mark stopped for a brief moment before faking a laugh and playfully trying to escape. Matthew laughed and said under his breath. "Not a lot of time. Go dance. I hope we meet again. Be ready." Matthew slapped Mark on the back happily and winked, giving a thumbs up. As he turned to walk back to the table, Mark thought for a brief moment he say the spy's smile turn thin.

Mark looked over the tables on the upper floor. Wallace sat with Eliwood, Erk, and Serra, giving the three a history lesson on the legend known as Wallace. Lucius and Wil looked at Matthew as he sat back down, but Matthew just waved a hand dismissively. Kent and Sain sat at a table on their own and feasted, laughing and congratulating each other on a job well done. Mark smiled, his heart calming. Taking the image into his mind and trying to remember it forever, Mark slowly turned around and descended the stairs. His heart no longer raced, and was instead replaced with a slow, hard thumping of dread. Matthew's odd words confirmed to Mark what he already thought might be the case. Someone, somewhere in the ballroom, was here to take him back to Etruria. Mark gulped hard and slowly made his way to Lyn.

Lyn sat, receiving gifts and words of praise happily talking to concerned civilians. She looked like the leader Mark was hoping she could be. But, at the same time, it didn't look like Lyn. Lyn didn't wear fancy dresses, Lyn didn't talk with cheap or surface level politeness, and she would never sit away from the people she fought with. Lyn looked happy, and Mark believed she was to an extent. But he could also see it wearing on her. As soon as he appeared, she politely excused herself from the people she was speaking with and walked over to him. Mark placed a hand to his chest and bowed like a butler.

"Lady Lyndis." He said smiling.

Lyn laughed as she got close enough to punch him in the arm. "Oh, don't start. I'll always be Lyn to you all. What do you need? Something wrong with the party?" She asked happily.

Mark raised an eyebrow. "...Is there?" He countered.

Lyn sighed and slowly her smiled faded into neutrality. "No, I was expecting it all, I just didn't think…" She struggled for the work.

"...Didn't think it would weigh so much?" Mark asked.

Lyn nodded. "Yes, exactly. I was alone only a few months ago, now I lead a full nation. Even if it was my destiny to lead the Lorca one day as the chieftain's daughter, there were never this many people. All these farmers, and shopkeepers, and normal, everyday civilians are coming up to me and they ask me about things I have no knowledge of. I feel like an imposter to the throne, and yet everyone is happy that I am on it. I feel quite conflicted. Not to mention, I haven't even been able to think about Florina-"

Mark cut her off by waving his hand. "Let's just… we're going to bury her tomorrow. Let's just try to enjoy the night. It's probably what she would like." He said.

Lyn sighed and took in the ballroom, as if it was the first chance she had that night to take it all in. "You're right." She said, taking a deep breath. "Yeah. You're right." She confirmed to herself again. She awkwardly adjusted her dress for a moment before starting to walk away.

"Hey, where are you going?" Mark said, making Lyn turn.

"Back to the people. I said I would only be a moment." She said simply.

"But, Lady Lyndis…" Mark said sarcastically, causing Lyn to roll her eyes. "We haven't even shared a dance in celebration of our victory." Mark felt like scum for calling the day he got his love killed a victory, but he was trying his best to enjoy his last moment with his friends. Lyn laughed audibly and walked over to him again, offering a hand.

"Lead the way, Mark." She said elegantly, completely unlike her. Mark laughed and pulled her onto the floor, where several people were dancing and having light conversation. Mark put a hand on Lyn's waist and the two began to waltz slowly to the sound of the string quartet.

"So." Mark said simply. "I might have lied to you." He said.

"Oh? About what?" Lyn said, unconcerned.

"I'm afraid I won't be here tomorrow for Florina." He said.

"...Why?" She asked quietly.

"...It appears they're here for me. I suspect after this dance, I'll probably disappear for a while." He said. He awkwardly looked away so as not to look nervous. Composing himself he turned back smiling. "But that's alright. I'll be back again at some point, I'm sure." He said, unconvinced.

"Of course you will." Lyn said, "And when you do you can finally tell me your stories about being the Mage General you promised me all those nights ago."

"And I will." Mark said happily, picturing it in his mind. "I mean you have a castle now, so we can go onto a balcony somewhere, drink some tea, and I'll tell you all about it." He said, looking up toward the ceiling. "After that, some point, we can finally go and see Ilia. Like we said, and finally see the snow you wanted to see, and then from there, we can go all the way across and see Nabata and…" Mark felt a tear roll down his cheek. He slowly looked back down at Lyn, who was also silently crying, smiling at him.

"Who are you trying to convince right now Mark? Me? Or you?" She asked. "I don't… like promises that can't be kept." She said.

"T-They can be kept!" Mark insisted. "I just…" Mark sniffed and looked around. "...I just wish we could start out sooner. I don't wan't Lyndis's Legion to end, I-" Mark looked back. Slowly he gave up. "I don't… I don't want to go away. I don't want to go back. T-They're going to kill me Lyn." He finally said. He swallowed hard. The song ended. As people clapped Mark felt Lyn slowly pull him into a hug. Mark brought his hands up and wrapped himself around her, tears rolling into her hair. When Lyn pulled away, she smiled, no longer crying, and wiped away his tears. She took a step back.

"The Mark I first met had already denied his past. Where's that Mark now?" She asked calmly.

"...I don't know. He left me some time ago." Mark said sadly.

Lyn smiled and shook her head. "No, he's still there. Maybe he needs a reminder but, if you see him again, let him know…" Lyn winked and started walking away. "Let him know that he's my dearest friend, and I can't wait to see him again." With that, Mark and Lyn exchanged their final words. Mark had a moment to stand alone on the floor before a light breeze floated his coat down to him from the rafter. Picking it up off the ground and turning around, Mark was face to face with Ursula, suddenly present.

"...She's a kind girl." Ursula said, wearing a somewhat revealing blue dress and fiddling with a dangerous looking thunder tome. "You found someone special, that's for sure. We'll get you back to her, don't worry." Ursula said seriously, staring daggers at the ground in shame.

"... And yet you're here to take me away anyway." Mark said sadly. "Why?"

"It's a job." Ursula said. "But it's a job from Father, and it can't be denied. Besides, you know if it's not me…" She closed the thunder tome and looked at Mark sympathetically. "Then it's a full platoon. We don't want to disturb the party, right?" She asked, offering a hand. "Come on Mark. Let's go home, together." She said sadly.

Mark took one last look at the ballroom, then the second floor where his friends continued to feast and laugh together, and then to Lyn. He slowly nodded and turned to Ursula, taking her hand. "...Ok Urs. Lead the way."

Kent:

Kent became the new leader of the Knights of Caelin, replacing Eagler. Many soldiers complained about how strict their routines suddenly became, but the result was a force to be reckoned with.

Sain:

Sain stood in as second in command of the Knights of Caelin. Where Kent's strict and compliant attitude made knights complain, Sains happy-go-lucky attitude and general exuberance made their days bearable.

Florina:

Died at the Battle for Caelin Castle.

Wil:

Wil was heavily injured after the final battle, and lamented travelling home. Lyn offered him to stay in Caelin until he healed. Eventually, once he was healed, he decided to stay anyway as a soldier. Sources say he seemed to feel guilty about the choice.

Dorcas:

Died trying to retrieve Ninian's ring from a Blank Fang stronghold.

Serra:

After staying in Castle Caelin for a few extravagant nights, Serra continued to her destination, reaching it safely with a bag full of gold to boot.

Erk:

Erk was uncharacteristically furious after Mark disappeared without a word. After he finished his contract with Serra, much to his relief, he immediately stocked up on supplies and headed straight for Etruria. Sources say they saw more anger on his face than he had ever shown any expression.

Rath:

Died trying to retrieve Ninian's ring from a Black Fang stronghold.

Matthew:

Matthew thanked Lyn after the party, returned to his guest room in the castle, and disappeared. No one is quite sure where he went specifically, but sources still place him in Lycia.

Lucius:

Lucius stayed at the castle for a few days before leaving. When asked why he seemed nervous in leaving, he said, "I've kept him waiting for some time. I imagine he will be cross with me."

Nils and Ninian:

Eliwood looked for them the day after the party but to no avail. They weren't seen at the party, nor before or after. It was as if they'd never even existed, and no trace remained. One wild trace placed them performing in a bar, but no one could confirm it.

Wallace:

Wallace stayed until he felt Kent was settled into his role as Knight Commander. After that, he left the castle fully armed, trying to find the spark of battle that had re-awakened in him due to the war.

Lyn:

Lyn became the new Marquess of Caelin. While she was uncertain of herself and her abilities, she worked hard nonetheless and became a leader the people could truly love. Still, sources often catch her staring out the window towards Etruria. They say, in these moments, she is the saddest anyone ever sees her.

Mark:

Mark disappeared during the party and no one could find him. A week or two later, news arrived from Etruria that the next Mage General had returned. His pack, which was left with the others on the mountain, was held at Caelin Castle. Soon after, a beautiful painting of a purple haired pegasus night sleeping on a rock appeared, hanging in the throne room.

A/N: With this, we close the book on Lyn's tale. I hope you've all enjoyed the ride so far, as I certainly have. This was originally going to be part of last chapter but here we are. As promised, here are my thoughts on both chapters. I always thought it was important for Lyn's tale to end in tragedy for several reasons, some may only become apparent a few chapters from now, but I'm sure many of you get most of it already. I'm adding a good amount of things beside Eliwood/Hector story so as to give Mark more importance than just being there. Reminder, we are only a third of the way at most through this story. So far it's been a wild ride. I know I'm not always consistent in writing schedule, but I want to thank you all again for sticking with me and enjoying the story. It means a lot to me when people take the time to read something I've created. Heres to another year, and the true dive into the tale of Mark Reglay, Mage General of Etruria: The Wanderer of Elibe. Cheers everyone. -Matt