It is currently the year 1,059 on the Archanea calendar. The entire continent had been swept into a horrible war just a little over 1 year ago, the conflict finding its catalyst in the hands of Gharnef, the Dark Pontifex. Wishing to see the world painted with blood and turmoil, he sided with the Dolhr Empire to overthrow the influence that the Holy Kingdom of Archanea had over the continent. Demanding the compliance of the rest of the continent, Gharnef seized control of Khadein, the desert country near the Northwest coast, the island country of Grust soon joining in league with him as well, baiting the late King Ludwik with easy persuasion. Not wishing to take a stand against the Holy Kingdom, King Osmond of Macedon has given no official sign of Alliance with the Pontifex as of yet, much to the displeasure of his ambitious son Prince Michalis, who was banished by his father himself for wanting to throw away Macedon's loyalty. As things stood now, only the small kingdom of Altea lead by King Cornelius, wielder of the sacred blade Falchion, its neighboring country and trusted ally Gra, lead by King Jiol, and Aurelis, Archanea's neighbor country and a forever trusted supporter. King Cornelius was on march with many of the elite Altean knights to aid Aurelis and Archanea, Gra following at their rear to support them in the battle. "Dolhr dare not turn against Altea, for Falchion was the blade of their destruction!" Those were the words Cornelius had said to his son Marth before he went off into the fray. He now waits for his father's return in Altea castle as fate began to march on…

The sky was a sinister shade of red as it hovered over an upcoming battle, the sounds of heavy armor and the hooves of horses treading through the rough terrain being heard from miles away. King Cornelius of Altea was leading the Altean knights across the continent to Aurelis, where he and the Graan army intended to aid in defending the kingdom from the oncoming invasion consisting of troops from all nations that were in coalition with the Dark Pontifex. Riding on a horse, wearing all white armor, having a deep brown shade of hair, and having the golden blade of legend Falchion in his grasp was the powerful image of King Cornelius, and ever at his side was his advisor, Jagen. It was only a matter of time before they would come face to face with the invading forces, preparation was essential.

"Jagen," Cornelius started, deciding to take a break in their march. The troops behind him stopped as well, standing at attention.

"What is it sire?" The veteran knight replied.

"The battle is sure to begin at any moment, so can I instruct you to make sure everyone is ready?"

"Of course, I'll make sure of it that everyone is ready to give this battle everything they've got!"

Cornelius nodded in approval, gazing forward. Jagen began to assess the situation, going down row by row of troops. Eventually he stopped at a certain hot headed red haired knight who was still in his late teens, shaking his head and letting out a sigh.

"Huh? What the hell is that about, old man?!" The knight replied, aggravated by the gesture.

"Ah, Cain… well I'm just worried that you aren't keeping your priorities straight." Jagen replied sternly, ignoring the 'old man' comment for the sake of the upstart.

"What do you mean? This is gonna be the battle of my life! I've never been more prepared!"

"And that right there is what I am talking about," Jagen began, "That grin of yours… this is your first battle without Abel to cool you off, so I find it quite probable that you will get too into the fight and forget that your job is to protect your leige, not throw your life away for sport." Cain drew back aggravated, but no words came out.

"I… t-that's a load of bullshit! I am perfectly capable of keeping my cool without Abel! I'll show you!" He eventually fired back, resulting in a smack on the back of his head from Jagen.

"Foolish boy, you only proved my point," Jagen began once more, "I find it preferable to everyone that you return home alive, or at least not let your hot headed attitude get you killed for nothing! Understood?"

"Yes sir… Understood." Cain said finally giving in, rubbing the back of his head softly.

Cornelius was hearing the conversation, smiling softly to himself. However, the mention of Abel reminded him of his son Marth alone at home with his wife and daughter. He had entrusted the safety of his family to Frey, also instructing Abel to remain there with a small amount of the army to defend the castle should something go wrong. Even with this, he couldn't help but worry about them.

"Marth… I'll be home as soon as I can… I promise…" Cornelius whispered, gazing ever more at the desolate field that awaited them.

Back at Altea:

The scenery of the castle was much different than that of the desolate field Cornelius was on march in. Riding off of his father's parting words, the young prince Marth was in the castle garden with his mother, Liza and older sister, Elice staring at his own reflection, speechless. The prince felt confident in his father's victory, yet something still disturbed him. He didn't know much as only a boy of 11 years old. He barely knew how to defend himself, only having novice practice with a sword. And aside from his family, he didn't have many to talk to. His best friend, Merric, left a while ago to study magic with Wendell, a high bishop from Khadein which was taken under Gharnef's control. He wondered, would he ever see his friend again? Would it be possible that Wendell was training him to serve Gharnef? No. It couldn't be. All of these thoughts were flowing through his naive mind as his sister slowly approached him, resting a hand on his shoulder as she knelt down.

"Marth, you haven't spoken since father left," Elice began in a soft voice, "Is everything alright?" She finished while beginning to rub his back gently.

"Elice I…" The prince couldn't find his words, letting out a sigh as he continued to stare at his reflection.

"What is it?"

"Forgive me for asking…" he began shyly, "But is father going to return?" This question made their mother come closer as well, putting on a fake smile.

"Why of course, dear," Liza answered before Elice could, "Do you not believe him capable of winning?"

"No not at all, Dolhr would think twice before striking him, I know that…but…"

"But what?" Liza questioned, concerned about what he was getting at.

"Well… when Merric left, he said he'd come back too," Marth began, seeming to get even more worked up, "but soon enough Khadein fell under Gharnef's control.. he may not even be alive." As he said this he could feel Elice's hand on his back tense up and waver, the statement shaking her.

"My brother… don't say such things, I'm sure he'll come ba-" Elice began weakly before Marth cut back in.

"What if something similar happens to father? What if Gharnef is too much!?" Elice gasped, Liza being disturbed by such talk of her husband's demise.

"Please excuse me, I need a moment." Liza said before exiting the garden.

"Marth! You upset mother with your suspicions!"

"B-But Elice, you can't tell me that you do not worry as well?"

"Of course I do, but you must hope for the best," she began, now wrapping her arms around him, "my poor brother, why is it that you even have such plaguing thoughts at such a young age?" Marth was speechless. How could he know such an answer?

"Elice… is it possible for a king to save everyone?" He finally spoke after a long silence.

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"Is it possible… to be so strong that you can save everyone?" He asked again, Elice letting out a sigh.

"Marth, it's impossible for everyone to live," she began, "no matter how strong someone is… it can't be helped." This made Marth tense up, him becoming a bit frustrated.

"But why not? When I think of the possibility of Merric, my father, and all of the innocent lives of our country just having their lives taken from them for no good reason… it doesn't seem fair!"

"Marth, I know… but father still yet lives, and I'm sure Merric does too… you mustn't lose hope." Marth then returned to silence, gazing up at his sister now.

"I shall remain hopeful, then… I want to be a son to make my father proud! Perhaps the first step is to conquer my fears!" He said determined, causing Elice to giggle.

"What is so funny?" He asked embarrassed. Elice smiled softly.

"Oh nothing," she began, "How about we go check on mother? Once father returns you should ask for another sword lesson with all of this motivation of yours."

"R-Right." He said finally standing up and began to walk alongside his sister to the exit of the garden.

"Oh my dear brother, I hope your ideal isn't the end of you some day. Wanting to save everyone is plain impossible..." Elice thought in sadness as she walked beside Marth, holding back her tears.

Back to Cornelius:

Jagen had finished the rounds of preparations, returning to the side of his king at once.

"Sire, all men are ready to go at once. After we successfully fend off the invasion of Aurelis we should head to Dolhr at once and be done with this." The veteran knight advised, Cornelius nodding in approval.

"I too had planned as much. Well, without any more delay shall we march on?"

"Yes sire, we shall go at once." They began their march once more. As they did, Cain had eyed the Gra soldiers behind them. They seemed… off. Battle ready, yes, but they were extremely laggy. It was as if they were waiting for something.

All the way behind them stood General Tobias of the Gra army with a sinister grin on his face upon dismissing a messenger.

"All ballista be ready now. Our King Jiol just informed me that Gharnef has arranged for the Grustian army to change their assault. They'll be coming right toward the Altean knights instead!" With this announcement, the troops began to quarrel amongst themselves, causing Tobias to scowl.

"HEY! Do you know what this means?" He shouted, causing them all to go silent.

...And this silence continued. Tobias let out a sigh, before a malicious smirk formed on his pallet.

"It means we are to trap the Alteans like rats! They won't see it coming and will be annihilated in an instant!" Still silence. Eventually one soldier spoke up.

"Uhm, but I thought we were Altea's allies..?"

"I thought we were Altea's allies," Tobias mimicked in an insulting tone before slapping him across the face, causing the soldier to wince in pain before he continued, "Yes we may have been their ally, but things have changed. Don't bring it up to me, if you want to complain I am sure King Jiol will gladly have your head!" The soldiers began to whisper to one another, some considering quitting their position.

"Don't think I can't hear you," Tobias shouted, "If any of you disgraces want to run away, be my guest! Just know I'll personally find you once this is all over!" The crowd went silent again. Tobias then smiled in satisfaction. "No objections then? Good. Now as I was saying, Ballista, prepare to fire and do so on my command!"

As this happened, the Altean knights began to hear marching from the direction they were heading, it slowly getting closer to their location. Upon making it over a hill Cornelius stopped in his tracks, causing the rest of the army to follow.

"What is it, sire?" Jagen asked as he caught up to him.

"The Grustian army…" he simply replied, watching as who they were going to ambush was coming right for them.

"That can't be…!" Jagen said mesmerized by the surprise turn of events, not noticing what was going on behind them.

"Hey! Old man! My liege! Look out!" Cain's voice sounded as a destructive ball engulfed with flames soared through the sky towards their location, them just barely escaping the radius of the explosion as it hit the ground.

"W-What was that!?" Jagen shouted in recoil, the soldiers around them coughing from the explosion.

"I think those bastards from Gra turned on us!" Cain snapped angrily to the surprise of everyone.

"What? Are you sure about this!?" Cornelius replied in an instant as the smoke cleared, seeing for himself the sudden increase of pace from the Gra soldiers behind them. That answered his question.

"Jiol must have let Gharnef manipulate his trust. Unloyal fool!" Jagen spat to the side as he said this, looking at his king for orders going forward. "How do we proceed?"

"At this rate we'll be trapped right in between them if we do nothing…" Cornelius replied, gazing behind him at the Grustian soldiers approaching too. "Jagen, I hate to do this… but I need you to take some soldiers and head home. I'll clear a path in the Gra enemy line and distract them."

"Sire! You can't be serious!"

"I am. If Gra is turning on us here, who knows what dangers await Altea castle. I want you to take care of Marth should I not return."

"Sire, you cannot throw your life away so recklessly, if I didn't know better I would mistake you with Cain."

"Hey, I heard that!" Cain began already fired up once more, "But I'm with the old man on this one. You can't expect us to leave you behind! Especially when those bastards need to pay for betraying us!" Cornelius then let out a sigh, planting his foot down forcefully.

"Look, I know it's hard but… Altea's future rests on the younger knights and the heirs, not mine. I am already old as is and I would prefer it that my son sees tomorrow! Understood? This is a direct order!" Cain and Jagen both nodded reluctantly.

"Very well, sire. But promise me you will return as soon as you can!" Jagen demanded. Cornelius then nodded in agreement.

"You have my word. Have a little faith in me, I won't go down without a fight!"

"Right. Alright, Cain. Gather a few more troops and prepare them to head on out of here!" Jagen ordered, Cain doing so in an instant.

"Jagen… thank you."

"You can thank me once you return to Altea alive, sire." Jagen replied with a smile, turning his full attention to the soldiers from Gra.

"Alright men! Those of you who are not returning to Altea will stay with me! We must ensure an escape route for them, and only then may we follow! Understood?" Cornelius commanded, receiving a "yes sir!" from his troops. Cornelius nodded in return, marching to the front of his army as they turned around to face their traitors.

"We only have one shot at this! Now let's charge!" Cornelius ordered, mounting his horse as his troops began to charge into battle towards the Gra soldiers, Jagen and Cain's smaller group following close behind. In the distance, Tobias was grinning with delight. The pack was coming right to him. He could get all the credit for destroying Cornelius and securing Dolhr's victory after all.

"Alright men, it seems they have caught on to their situation. No matter, we will intercept them at once!" Tobias ordered, the ballistas firing another round as his troops advanced. The Alteans avoided each ballista with slight difficulty, charging onward as Cornelius now resumed position of the front of his force.

"General Tobias! You and your king will pay for turning your backs on us!" He threatened right before their armies collided.

"Maybe I will, but I won't go down so easy you old fool! I am not going to waste my chance to get myself a big promotion from King Medeus of Dolhr himself!" He snickered, turning his back on the battle. "Continue firing."

However, despite his confidence, Cornelius pushed a tight path between the troops, Jagen leading his small group through the gap.

"Do not waver… we must keep pushing!" Jagen ordered, moving right by Tobias at full speed in direction of Altea castle.

"H-Huh," Tobias's eyes widened as he turned around to see the tiny gap in the front so early, "How are they making is so far already!?" He turned his attention back to the fleeing troops, letting out a scowl as he made his decision.

"Men, you keep holding off the King and his men. I will chase those fleeing cowards down! Jiol will never forgive us if we let anyone escape!" He demanded with frustration, charging towards Jagen.

"Damn it!" Cornelius cursed out, watching Tobias charging after them and perhaps costing the whole plan, leaving the front to begin a pursuit of the general as well. However, as Tobias was charging a cavalry soldier came out from a carved out space of a mountain, slashing at Tobias's side with a sword.

"Taste this, you dirty bastard!" Called out a familiar voice as Tobias recoiled from the blow, a small amount of blood dripping onto the ground.

"W-What… w-why you…?!"

"Cain! What are you doing here?! I thought I told you to escape with Jagen!" Cornelius cried out, half angry but half relieved.

"Sorry, sire. I had a feeling this cheap sellout of a general would leave his soldiers to go after some runaways!"

"Sellout of a general?" Tobias scoffed, striking at Cain with his lance to where he barely dodged, "Let's see how you fare against me then, low knight!" Cain was about to charge into his bait until Cornelius placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Cain, you already lost your cool by staying here, so I would prefer that you not get too reckless now that you're here. We still wish to return home after all, right?" He advised, Cain gazing up at him before taking a deep breath.

"You're right, and it looks like the battle is moving towards us."

"Indeed, let us crush Gra before Grust can even reach us and move on out of here!" Cornelius commanded, attempting to rally all of his troops back to them.

"Hmph! You forgot I am here, I wil-" Tobias began with a cocky tone before Cain and Cornelius turned away from him to join back with the rest of the battle, "huh?! Where are you going?!" He began to eye the fronts, becoming increasingly nervous. There was no way Gra could defeat Altea with their king on the battlefield by themselves. Especially with this raised morale. He watched as troops from both sides fell, but it was increasingly obvious that Cornelius would come out as victorious. Tobias then glanced over to his still in tact ballista line, charging over to them with frustration.

"Men! Why have you not shot anything since many a minute ago?!" Tobias pressed, choking one of the men arming the weaponry.

"W-Well sir… if we shot now, we would risk hitting our own men… the enemy knows this, sir." The soldier replied weakly before Tobias let go.

"Who cares?! Fire everything it takes, I want to see Cornelius dead!"

"But sir-"

"DO IT NOW!"

"I… very well…" the soldier replied as he reluctantly prepared to fire his ballista, many others following in example. Mere seconds after Cornelius had just finished off an enemy troop did he notice many flaming balls of huge ammo soaring towards them, eyes widening as there was no way to escape its range in time.

"Men take cove-" The ammo all crashed into the earth they stood on at once, all sorts of smoke and rubble being hurled into the air as a result. Tobias simply grinned as he detected no sign of life from the aftermath.

"See that wasn't so hard. Well, what's done is done. Let's go home to Jiol and tell him how under my leadership, Grust wasn't even needed to defeat Altea." His soldiers didn't move, however, staring into the clearing destruction. "What the hell are you doing? Let's go!"

"General Tobias…" Cornelius's voice began, "You never cease to amaze me with how low you will stoop to ensure victory."

"W-What!?" As the smoke cleared, a bloody but still standing Cornelius, Cain, and a few surviving knights appeared in front of the remaining Gra front.

"Unfortunately for you, you didn't get a direct hit where it counts. You killed countless of your men in this disgusting act, yet I still stand. You have lost, Tobias. Give up now." Cornelius threatened.

"Curse you!" Tobias shouted violently, realizing the odds were stacked against him. There was no way he could win now with only his few troops remaining against King Cornelius.

"What kind of low and cowardly bastard will throw away the lives of his own troops anyway? Do you not value anyone but yourself?" Cain insulted, clenching his fist in anger. "My lord, let's end this miserable excuse of a commander before heading home!"

Cornelius nodded in agreement, the nearby mountain side providing an ominous shade for the battlefield. His eyes narrowed at the arrogant general. There was no way he could let a man so lacking of knightly virtue ride home and put valiant lies to his filthy name.

"What say you, Tobias? Do you give up, or do you wish to lose your life to folly? The choice is yours." Cornelius offered, the Grustian army getting closer. They needed to act quick. Tobias's gaze scanned the Alteans when he stopped at Cain, getting an idea. He smirked to himself, holding his lance tightly in his right hand.

"Well it really does seem like you have beaten me, though perhaps a fitting end for a knight like me would be better in death, don't you agree?" He began to reason with a false aura, grinning maliciously once more.

"Like hell you deserve a virtuous end!" Cain began, "This past hour has given me all the time I need to realize you bring shame to all knights. You have no right to even request such a virtuous end!"

"Is that so? Ah, well that's too bad. Does that mean you believe yourself incapable of defeating me in combat, lowly knight?" He taunted, gaze still fixed on Cain.

"Not at all! I could beat your ass anytime I wanted!" Cain began to get heated, on the verge of attacking.

"Cain… mind your temper." Cornelius quickly advised, seeing a weakness in his composure form. "I know how you feel, but you must not be reckless." He nodded, but his body remained tensed up as he had a hateful gaze fixed to the Gra general.

"Backing down are you? My, for someone who likes to call me cowardly, why… you seem to be rather hesitant!" Tobias continued to press him, wanting to use his anger to his advantage.

"S-Shut the hell up! You don't have any right to lecture me!" He replied unsure of himself, his loss of composure now evident. He was breaking under the temptation to beat his face in, knowing it wasn't wise to act so rash when victory was in sight.

"Hmph. And how is it suddenly you who is the beholder of the definitions of right and wrong? You are a mere lap dog of that king you serve," Tobias's gaze narrowed on Cain as he continued, "Who knows, maybe once you stop being useful he'll throw you out?" This was enough for Cain, he lost all restraint as he began to charge towards Tobias at full speed, eyes full of hatred.

"Cain, no!" Cornelius cried out, beginning to move after him.

"You sick bastard! You dare lack another man's liege at the arrival of your defeat?! You bring nothing but shame to a knight's honor!" Cain shouted out in hatred, charging even faster as Tobias simply grinned. "I'll kill you where you stand," he continued, slashing his sword directly at the arrogant general, it barely missing him. Tobias simply mocked him, dodging his next blow as well.

"You bastard, stop dodging like a coward!" Cain called out amongst his hated filled swings, each one more powerful and closer to hitting its mark than the last. As Cornelius got closer, Tobias smirked, realizing his plan was working.

"Very well, I suppose I owe a fellow knight that much, eh?" He mocked, swinging his lance around at a clear opening left by Cain, piercing the hot headed knight in the shoulder of his sword arm, leaving him unable to use it any longer.

"D-Damn it!" He cried out, his guard completely open as Tobias rounded for a killing blow, his life flashing before his eyes.

"Looks like I got too careless after all…" he thought, closing his eyes to the regret that awaited him. However, right before Tobias's lance reached Cain, Cornelius shoved him out of the way, taking the lance to his chest before leaving a clean cut across Tobias's torso with Falchion, the general falling to the ground as blood from both him and Cornelius covered the ground.

"Cornelius… my lord, why did you save me? You took a mortal wound to the shoulder to save me from my own careless actions…" Cain groaned out dumbfounded, already feeling unworthy of his life.

"Because… the future of Altea rests on the younger knights…" Cornelius forced out as Tobias's lance wedged into him was the only thing keeping him from bleeding out. The surviving Altean soldiers came to Cornelius's side, the Gra soldiers moving up as well.

"But my lord, you might die from that wound…"

"Don't lose faith yet, we can still win this and return home." Just then Tobias stood up, clutching onto his side.

"Actually, I had quite the contrary in mind. Ballista, prepare to fire. Men move in on the sorry sight of the king." He ordered, the ballista being prepared once more as the remaining Gra soldiers overpowered and killed the remaining Alteans, also taking the weakened Cain away from Cornelius's side as they held him in a full nelson. Things were now turned against them as a weakened Cornelius was surrounded.

"Damn, this is all my fault…" Cain murmured, looking down in shame.

"Naturally," Tobias taunted, moving closer to Cornelius, "So great king, any last words to grace the history books?" Cornelius remained silent, gazing hatefully at the general.

"None? How disappointing. Well le-"

"What are you going to do to my family?" Cornelius finally asked, his voice soft with desperation.

"Eh?"

"Don't play dumb! What are you traitors going to do with my home and family!?" Cornelius demanded once more.

"Well, let's see… Ah yes, Jiol and Gharnef had sent another party to invade Altea while we were here. Figured I should tell you that before you die… I kind of forgot." Tobias grinned, letting off a cynical laugh.

"Bastard!"

"Ah, don't worry, I'm sure you'll see your precious family in hell soon enough!" Cornelius gazed down once more, not knowing what to do at this point. He let out a sigh, looking directly at Cain now.

"Cain, I need you to get out of here and head back to Altea as fast as you can!" He ordered.

"But Cornelius, what of yours-"

"Forget about me! I want you to protect Marth at all costs, do you hear me? It is my final order to you as your lord." Tears then came to Cain's eyes as he listened, mixing with the dirt and blood on his face.

"No way! I can't abandon you now! Sir, I simply won-"

"Cain! Please! Grust is almost upon us now! The world is still in need of a savior and it must be him! I cannot go on any longer. Dry your tears and return… tell Marth, the future is in his hands now and that he must rise where I have fallen, defeat Dolhr in my stead... that he was born into greatness and now he must be great… and lastly that I'm sorry…" Cain closed his eyes violently, Tobias simply watching the exchange back and forth with an amused look on his face, laughing at the spectacle.

"This sounds so tragic and so empowering! Bravo! Too bad you forgot one fatal error. How the hell do you expect your little knight to escape?" He taunted, the ballista now ready to fire. Cornelius simply smiled softly, gazing at Cain's position in front of those who armed the ballista, tracing its aim to the mountain side behind him.

"With a little help from-" Cornelius began, ripping Tobias's lance out of his chest, "-you, general!" Tobias's eyes widened as Cain snapped back into reality, blood spilling out of the now open wound in Cornelius's chest.

"My lord, no!" Cain called out. It was too late. Cornelius had thrown the lance as if it were a mere javelin, it stabbing the soldier at the ballista, causing him to stumble backwards and release the ammo, it hurling right towards the mountain side as the collision caused a massive rock slide. Amongst the confusion, Cain slammed his elbow into the soldier holding him, able to break free to gaze at Cornelius and Tobias as the rocks fell around them.

"My lord!" Cain called out, only to see Cornelius wave to him with a sad yet satisfied look on his face. He looked away, knowing he needed to redeem his liege's final request.

"I must go to Altea now!" He thought, gazing behind him to see Grust's army closing in. He began running over to his horse when Tobias began to pull himself out of the growing pile of rocks.

"I am not done yet!" He cried out. Cain turned around, and although it hurt him, he picked up his sword and charged right towards Tobias, stabbing him right through the heart.

"Go to hell!" Cain then pulled his sword out, wincing with pain as he kicked his body down into the rock slide, the ground beginning to break beneath them. He ran back to his horse now, looking back once more. Holding in his regret and tears, he escaped in the direction of Altea, barely escaping the Grustian army that followed behind. Cornelius watched as the rocks crumbled down, making peace with himself as everything went to darkness…