Hi! So I'm sorry for never finishing this or any of my other multichaptered projects. I feel weird updating a story from 2013 in 2019, but I thought that I should at least give all of what I wrote for this, even if it was never finished.

That said, I do hope to rewrite (and finish) this story some day. Thanks to those who supported me and this story back then.

x~X~x

Ripped Snippet 5: Final Objective

Prince Marth and Coyote have been maintaining contact with each other, just as Wolf, Vyland, and the two Altean cavaliers had arranged. The Altean Army and the Aurelian Resistance have been coordinating their attacks, and as a result, Macedon's hold on Aurelis is crumbling. Now's the time to finally retake the palace…

xXx

"If all goes well, today we shall meet with the Alteans and oust Macedon from Aurelis once and for all." I listened to Sedgar talk, mostly to himself. "I'm quite excited."

"Yes, we've struggled so much over the last two years. It's nice to know that all of our efforts are paying off." Sedgar and I, along with Coyote, Wolf, Vyland, and Roshea, were marching towards Castle Aurelis. Our objective was to join the Alteans and finally drive Macedon away from the plains for good. This would hopefully be the last task of the Aurelian Resistance.

"Exactly. Don't let the excitement get to your head, though. We could still mess up, especially since there's so few of us."

"Right…" Coyote reasoned that a smaller force would mean more mobility and that speed would be more crucial than strength when it came to combining forces with Prince Marth. To that end, he only brought along his four most trusted men…and me. I felt ridiculously out of place. I haven't sworn fealty to Aurelis like the others; I was just some cleric that they rescued at the start of the invasion. I don't feel that I'm qualified at all to be here with them on this momentous day…

Coyote suddenly raised his hand, signaling us to stop. Everyone halted and looked around. We were at Fort Claudia, which was recently wrested from Macedonian control. Fort Claudia was a natural stronghold, with mountains to the north and a river to the east. Aurelis had always used it as an important part of the nation's defense, and it was one of the last fortresses to fall before the Aurelian military was forced to go underground. Today, it would be the starting point of the Resistance's last mission.

"The Alteans are due to arrive on the other side of the river soon." Coyote started his briefing. "We'll lay low until we see them. We'll sortie once we hear the sounds of battle and rendezvous with them at the palace gates." He turned his head to the thin blanket of trees in the distance for a moment. "That forest is the fastest way to get past the mountains. I'll lead the way. Roshea and Vyland, stay near me. Wolf, Sedgar, and Violette, support from the rear." We all nodded. "Today shall end in victory. I want no retreats, no surrenders, and no casualties. Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir!"

I offered up a prayer to Naga, hoping he'd give us the strength to get out of the upcoming battle alive. Our objective was critical, and we'll all be tested…especially me, who was only starting to get accustomed to the chaos of the battlefield. As the sole healer here, I was also responsible for everyone's health in a way. It was quite a lot of responsibility to bear…

While we were waiting around for the signal, I heard Roshea mumbling to himself. He was staring up into the air. "What is it?" I decided to ask him after a minute.

He turned his head to look at me and blinked. "Oh, nothing. I'm just thinking about the weather. It's too gloomy for my liking." It was around noon, but the overcast clouds darkened the sky. By looking at it, one got the feeling that a storm was coming.

"I hope it doesn't rain."

"Yeah, that'd just make this battle even messier…Not that it'd matter much. Aurelian horses won't lose their footing over something as simple as slippery grass."

I giggled. "You're right about that."

Just then, Vyland came up to us. "Hey, the Altean army's been spotted. Get into your positions, guys."

"Right!"

With Coyote at the head, we left Fort Claudia and slipped into the woods. The Macedonian soldiers that were patrolling nearby didn't seem to notice our presence. At least, not until we heard our cue and charged out at them. The patrol unit was dispatched quickly, but the clash drew the attention of other Macedonians. So the battle started…

xXx

Castle Aurelis was in sight now. All six of us were pouring our absolute best efforts in this battle. Our allies were too, judging by how quickly they've progressed. They were already near the bridge. We were almost out of the forest. The Resistance and the Altean Army were bound to meet very soon…

Once we left the woods, I looked over the Altean forces a little more closely. Judging by the variety of their attires, it was a diverse collection of soldiers, ranging from knights and mercenaries to rather shady characters like a pirate, a thief, and…a Macedonian?! I couldn't help but stare at that pinkish-haired cavalier. The crest on his armor…was unmistakably Macedonian…

"Violette!" Sedgar called out all of a sudden. My head snapped in the direction of his voice. "The battlefield isn't the place to daydream. Come on!"

I-I wasn't…daydreaming…However, he's right about paying attention to your surroundings. I bade Cinnamon to move forward and catch up to the others. Even then, my eyes kept involuntarily wandering to that man…

I vaguely registered another horse slowing down to keep pace with me, but I didn't realize that it was Kent until Sedgar startled me again. "Hey, what are you staring at anyway?"

"Uhm, there's a man with the Alteans that's wearing Macedonian armor…" I pointed in the cavalier's direction.

Sedgar peered into said direction for a few seconds. "Hmmm. You're right, Violette. That cavalier is definitely wearing Macedonian armor. That's…interesting, to say the least." His tone held hints of disbelief and confusion. "Well, we can figure out the story behind that later. Right now we should hurry and help the others take care of the enemy stragglers."

When we caught up, though, most of the Macedonians had already been taken care of. The Altean forces were taking care of whatever Macedonians remained, save for the general standing right in front of the gates. Meanwhile, Coyote and a young man in regal blue attire were approaching each other. We took note of the fact that Coyote had dismounted. Wolf, Vyland, Roshea, and a few of the Alteans were watching them, including a green-haired knight in heavy blue armor, a mage clad in blue, and an old man wearing purple armor that had spikes protruding from the shoulder plates.

"Wolf! Vyland! Roshea!" Sedgar and I came up just slightly behind them. "What exactly is going on here?"

"Coyote's about to talk to Prince Marth. They're going to decide who's going to lead both forces from now on." Although Wolf's voice had its usual dull and disinterested tone, it was obvious that he would be paying very close attention to the following conversation between the two princes.

The man in blue started first. "Prince Hardin, I am Prince Marth of Altea. I've come to offer what help I can."

"And I very gratefully accept it. Stories of your exploits travel fast, young prince. I feel as though I've gained a thousand allies in one." Coyote smiled.

"I've heard a few stories of you as well, Coyote. It will be an honor to fight alongside such a courageous man." Prince Marth smiled back.

"Ha! I could say the same thing." There was a short pause. "Well, we don't have time for pleasantries at the moment, so let's get down to business. I've left my brother and Princess Nyna someplace safe for now. We need to decide who will command here. I was hoping it would be you…"

…W-What?! Why is Coyote offering full command to him?! He just met him! I shared stunned glances with my comrades. Even Wolf was shocked. Was no one told about this? Not that it mattered now. Between the five of us, there was a mutual displeasure at the notion of obeying a foreign royal we didn't know over Coyote, but if that's Coyote's decision, we'd just have to go along with it…

"Me?" Prince Marth asked, also wide-eyed and clearly shocked. "But Prince Hardin, you are far more qualified –"

"Tsk..." Coyote chuckled light-heartedly at Prince Marth's hesitation. "Princess Nyna and my brother would not be pleased to hear us nitpicking over who will be listed in the history books. Take command so we can oust this Macedonian scum and be done with it."

There was more uncertainty from Prince Marth. "…You are sure?"

"Make no mistake, Prince Marth. I consider myself an exceptionally good judge of character. If I thought you acted out of selfishness or ambition, I would not extend the offer I have. You have my trust." Coyote sounded too sure for comfort…We should trust him, though…

He was still for a few more moments, then he smiled and bowed respectfully. "Prince Hardin…thank you. That's an honor. If you don't mind me saying so…I feel as though I've made a good friend. We share the same ideals, I think."

"That we do. May our friendship be a long one." Coyote bowed as well. What was that for, though? Was that some sort of symbolic gesture? I don't understand the upper class…

He then gestured to us. "Prince Marth, these are my men. Wolf, Vyland, Sedgar, Violette, and Roshea." Each of us nodded in recognition as our names were called. Despite our reservations, we retained our composure.

Prince Marth cleared his throat afterwards. "All right, now that that's settled, we need to take care of the rest of the Macedonians out here."

He surveyed his surroundings and so did everyone else. The Altean army had routed most of the stragglers already. They would have engaged the general guarding the gates, but the clopping of hoof steps and the flapping of feathery wings drew everyone's attention. Both sounds were coming from behind Castle Aurelis, but the hoof steps were coming from the northeast while the wing flapping was coming from the northwest.

"Macedonian reinforcements."