Author's Note: Oh geez, let's see… had some interviews the last couple weeks trying to get a better job, and with work and rehearsal, writing dropped heavily on the priority list. Add in a pretty rare case of Writer's block for me, and I just wasn't sure what to do with this chapter. I think, however, you'll be pleasantly surprised. I hope.

Pixelsaber: Yeah, I'll admit I originally wanted this to be a big battle chapter, but so soon after the Dread Isle I still felt it was better to hold off on it. Also, Rath does tend to end up that way, doesn't he? I blame it on the 'getting characters too late in the story so leveling them is much more of a pain' syndrome.

Secondary Note: This chapter is being released on my birthday. Who woulda thought. Here's to getting this fic into it's final chapters by this time next year. Thank you everyone for your continued support.

As always, please enjoy. Leave a review if you have the time.

Chapter 70: Of Days Long Past

As I sit to write of days gone by, I can't help but reflect on the days long before these. It wasn't wrong to say that once I was young, full of vigor and spirit. These days, even research seems to be losing its edge. For what purpose was I chosen to bear this burden of elongated life? Is it for my part in the Scouring, the price the sacred artifact spoke of? Everyone I have known has at some point left me. Whether by war, or illness, or folly. These days simply remaining here in the desert seems a much better choice to me.

I do not know what possessed me to entrust Aureola to the Bishop. There was just… a feeling. A guiding hand, perhaps. Nothing in this world is an accident, yet I do not believe fate is predetermined. It is our own actions that give them form. Perhaps, as long ago, the world is in danger once more.

I digress again, it seems. Recently, two nobles from Etruria somehow showed up upon my doorstep. That they knew of me is a greater surprise than I can express. The man, The Etrurian Mage-General, asked of a creature called 'morphs.' Unfortunately, the little I know is not likely to be much help for his studies.

Morphs are creatures created from corpses. However, it does not seem as simple as that. Bodies that have been burned, bodies that have been annihilated, all can be recreated with enough Quintessence. It is more a question of how much one is willing to sacrifice to bring this morph into being. To create a single morph requires more life energy than a single person is likely to have. Thus, it is not a recommended method for building an army, or even a subject worth investigation. I attempted to drive the General away from this, but he seems convinced the knowledge is necessary.

If I turn him away, as I did my friend before… they will likely end up the same. That, I cannot allow.

For the time being, Hawkeye will keep an eye on him. Meanwhile, I'll partake of his wife's excellent cooking. This old mean has been living off bread and water for far too long. Food truly is one of the greater blessings in life.

"Water!" Will declared firmly. "More Water!"

"Are you serious, Lord William?" Merlinus asked exasperatedly. "Isn't the amount we procured enough?"

"We're going into the Nabata Desert, Merlinus. I'm not taking any chances with our supplies." Will replied. "If I could, I would have a majority of our group wait outside the desert for our return, but the timing to split our forces is definitely not now."

"I couldn't agree more on that front, but how long to you plan for this desert expedition to last?"

"As long as it takes, I suppose."

"Oh dear." Merlinus grumbled sadly. "That's not confidence boosting."

"I simply mean that Eliwood and Hector aren't likely to give up and turn around at the first sign of trouble." Will elaborated. "In light of that, it's much better if we have as much extra supplies as we can manage, particularly for our water supply. Deserts aren't to be taken lightly."

"No, of course not." Merlinus chuckled. "My apologies, I didn't mean to sound like a grumbling old man."

"No worries, Merlinus. We couldn't do this without you."

"Will!" A small voice small from behind, as Florina jogged up.

"Florina!" Will said, turning to her.

The two stood there in awkward silence. Merlinus, though amused, coughed loudly. "I'll just get Sir Bartre and Sir Marcus to help me, shall I? It seems you two have some catching up to do."

"Oh, umm, I didn't… I mean, if you're busy…" Florina stammered, blushing.

"No I… it's okay. I was just making sure we have enough water. You know, for the desert." Will said. "Because it's hot."

"Yes, it… umm… okay so…" Florina began again. "We didn't… I mean… I might've had to tell Fiora everything."

"Fiora?" Will asked. "Oh you mean about… right. Well, I don't see why that would be a problem."

"She's… a bit overprotective?" Florina said. "I just… wanted to warn you in case… you know."

"Ah. I think I get it. I think." Will said. "I'll uh… be careful."

Florina smiled softly. Sure, things had been a little bit… weird since her whole… kissing episode (It made her blush even to think of it), but it felt like since then they had been slowly getting closer. Now that the line between them was gone, they could finally… go at their own pace. Or something like that. She wasn't entirely sure what she meant.

"Father, do you see this!" A young red-headed boy declared proudly, showing his father the absolute mess he had made of the garden while practicing his sword swings.

"Oh Eliwood…" Elbert sighed softly. "You foolish boy."

"Foolish?" Eliwood questioned, tilting his head to the side. "But, I was just trying to be like you, father! With Marcus and everyone fighting at my side, protecting the world from the bad people…"

"And who are those bad people, Eliwood?" Elbert asked.

"Umm… I… dunno." Eliwood admitted.

"Come here, son." Elbert said, leading the young child over to a bench. "Tell me, what do you think strength is?"

"Umm… Strength is like… Marcus? He beats up guys and protects you all the time, right?"

"You see Eliwood, that's not what strength is. That's known as power."

"I don't get it."

Elbert chuckled. "I don't expect you to. But know this, Eliwood: Strength isn't something you attain by training your body. It's something that can only come from within. Now, I want you to take a look around you."

Eliwood did so. He noticed the trampled flowers, the scratch mark on the castle wall, the broken fake sword he had been using. It looked… unnatural.

"How does it make you feel?" Elbert asked.

"I… I don't feel very good anymore." Eliwood said. "But dad, when I was-"

"Eliwood." Elbert said calmly. "I'm not mad. This is a learning moment. Think about when your mother sees this. What will she feel?"

Eliwood looked at the destroyed flowers again. "…Sad?"

"Yes Eliwood. Strength…. Power… those things are meaningless if the person who has them makes others sad. Because… that's when you become the bad guy." Elbert said, ruffling Eliwood's hair. "Now, what say you to helping your old man clean up this mess?"

"Yes!"

"Lord Eliwood?" The soft voice from his left spoke again, shaking him from his memory.

"Oh, Ninian." Eliwood smiled. "Apologies, I was… reminiscing."

"About your father again?" Ninian asked.

"…Yes." Eliwood admitted. "It was he who taught me what strength was for. Protecting others, not destroying them and their lives."

"Umm… Did I… Did I ever thank you?" Ninian asked.

"Whatever for?" Eliwood asked, confused.

"Well you… were the one who helped me. A year ago… and even now…"

"Ah, that." Eliwood said. "I just happened to be around at the time. Think nothing of it."

"But I… I lost consciousness and never got around to thanking you! I… wanted to."

"I wanted to help." Eliwood replied.

"Still… isn't there anything I can do to thank you?" ninian asked.

"You're not going to let it be, are you…" Eliwood chuckled. "Hmm… Ah! I know! How about the next time you're free, you can show me one of your dances! Not the quick little flourishes you make to renew our spirits in battle, but a real... Ninian?"

Ninian's face had turned a brighter shade of red than Florina's had ever accomplished. "A… A special… dance?"

"Er… sorry!" Eliwood said quickly, realizing his mistake. "I didn't mean to sound so forward!"

"No I… it's okay!" Ninian replied just as quickly. "I mean… I'd be glad to."

"Oh. Great! It's a deal then!" Eliwood smiled brightly. "I'm looking forward to it."

"Y-Yes." Ninian smiled as well. "I am too." She placed a hand over her heart, hoping the beating wasn't too fast to be heard.

"Rath!" Lyn called, approaching the nomad. For his heroic entrance, Rath had dissolved into the company rather quickly. He rarely spoke, so not many came to speak with him, yet often Kent and Sain would ride with him, or Wil would sit atop Hailey and chatter away at him. It was a strange nostalgic feeling.

"Lyn." He said with a nod.

Lyn smiled. Rath was one of few who still called her by that name. "I wanted to thank you. Your timely arrival has saved us yet again."

"Saved may be too generous a word." Rath replied. "I imagine Will had it well in hand."

"Yet we still appreciate your help." Lyn insisted.

"Helping fellow plainsdwellers is a given." Rath said with a small smile. The smile did not last, however, as the topic turned more serious. "I heard about the Dread Isle."

Lyn's face fell. "I don't like to think about it much."

"Wallace was a true warrior." Rath said. "Mother Earth gladly welcomes him into her embrace."

"She shouldn't have to welcome him at all!" Lyn shouted suddenly. "I mean… no, I'm sorry."

"I also heard of your grandfather." Rath continued. "He did your family much honor."

"Sometimes… I can't help but wonder." Lyn said softly. "Was all just… out of guilt? Regret? How much of it was genuine?"

"All of it."

"That simple, huh?"

"Yes."

"I have to ask. Are all Kutolah men as quiet as you?" Lyn mused. "My father and the Lorcan Men didn't talk much, surely, but they were gossiping magpies compared to you."

Rath said nothing. Lyn was looking much better than before, so he supposed that was a good thing. However, there was one thing that still lingered. Something she still refused to grasp.

"You never smile, either." Lyn continued. "Why? Are you… mad about something? If it was anger at us, I can't imagine you'd have stayed and yet-"

"I'm not angry." Rath said.

"But you won't speak?"

"There's no need." Rath replied.

"…Oh."

"If you must speak, then do so." Rath said. "He will never understand otherwise."

Lyn blushed. "I… that's not fair."

"Life of a Sacaen." Rath said with a wry smile.

Lyn giggled. "Was that a joke?"

"Perhaps you imagined it."

"Perhaps."

"I've finally got you, you cad!" Dart roared, brandishing his axe. "Today is the last day of your measly life! Prepare yourself!"

Wil dodged the axe, rather expertly he might add, but was still rather intimidated. "Whoa! It's only sparing. Dan! I mean, not Dan! Pirate Guy! Dark!"

"It's Dart you moron!" The pirate roared, making another sweep with the large axe he was practicing with. Priscilla stood nearby, her healing staff at the ready, while Erk also watched the battle unfold. Likely, he was there to watch Priscilla heal them when they got injured. And this little archer was definitely going to get injured.

"Yeah, right." Wil said merrily, dodging again. "Why're we doing this again?"

"Because I owe you one… a few… a buncha whacks from this here axe!"

"I think I'd really like to pass on that!" Will said, quick drawing and firing at Dart's wrist. Just in time, he angled his wrist to cause the arrow to bounce off the axe hilt instead.

"Who asked you your opinion, chum for brains?" Dart growled. "You drive me nuts!"

"Whoa watch out!" Wil said, quickly knocking Dart back as one of Erk's fireballs barely missed singing the pirate. William, that crafty little bastard. He sent Erk here to train them in random surprise attacks from enemies outside their view, huh? Not cool. "See that? I've got your back. No need to worry, Darth."

"It's Dart!"

Their spar continued, but another surprise attack from Erk didn't come. Thankfully, the spar ended with only light bruises and cuts on both side, which Priscilla was able to handle in a flash. While they rested, Rebecca appeared, approaching the pirate hesitantly. Dart eyed her in annoyance. Another one. These two had been stupidly insistent on getting in his good graces. Their obsession with this Dan out-rivaled the Captain's desire for gold! Well, Fargus wasn't a typical captain so using gold as a measure may not have been the best bar.

"Umm… Dart?" Rebecca asked hesitantly.

"What." Dart braked.

"My name is Rebecca." Rebecca said with a polite bow. "I just… I wanted to apologize. You know, for earlier."

"Which earlier?" Dart asked. "You two've been thicker than a forest of trees when it comes to me."

"No I… I meant about being scared. Of Pirates. I'm sorry."

Dart raised an eyebrow. "Oh, that? I told you, missy, it's weirder to see a gal that don't fear us pirates."

"I guess… Still, I'm sorry. You've been nothing but help to us."

Dart waved her off airily, but his stomach began growling. Just great, Lunch had only been about an hour ago and already he needed food. That's what swinging around an axe like a madman would do for you, he supposed.

"Here, have this." Rebecca said, producing what appeared to a plate of food.

"What's this?" Dart asked skeptically.

"A lunch. That I made." Rebecca said proudly. "Fresh Fruit, roasted fowl, herbed bread and a few other things. Here, you can have it."

Dart wasn't sure he understood all the wording, but food was food. "Alright then. So… we're even now, right? Square?"

"Sure!" Rebecca said happily.

She bounced over to Wil, smiling happily. "I thought you told me to keep calling him Dan on purpose. Why are you doing the exact opposite?" Wil asked.

"Oh hush up and keep it up." Rebecca said. "Leave all the strategy to me."

"I thought that was-"

"For getting my brother back, there's no one better than me." Rebecca said confidently. "You just follow my lead, got it?"

Wil sighed. Childhood friends could be so difficult. "Got it."

Hector, for a rare change, sat in the wagon. Nearby sat Leila, who was finally staying awake for longer periods of time. Matthew was also there, helping Leila eat her meal. Her strength still seemed a ways from returning. It was troubling, to say the least.

"Here you go, Leila!" Matthew said, handing her a flask of water.

"Thank you, Matthew." Leila said with a small smile. Shakily, she brought the flask to her lips, taking a long sip.

"At least you've got your appetite and thirst." Hector grunted. "Brother always told me those were good signs."

"Recovering slowly but surely, milord." Leila coughed.

"Well, Matthew here seems to have enough pep for the both of you." Hector said.

Matthew smiled. "Yeah, well… I got a chance to say what I needed to, and so did she. It's all we've ever needed, really. Maria always said as much."

Hector chuckled.

"Even then, I'm no match for you, milord." Matthew said with a grin.

"You sure have changed." Hector mused. "I told you both once that spies shouldn't be out fighting. To be honest, I still believe that, but…"

"Yes well, you know how we spies are." Matthew grinned. "Very proper and all that. Leave fighting to others, keep ourselves from the limelight, do that dirty shadow work. This journey though… it's given me a change of heart."

"Oh?" Hector grinned. "Should I be inviting you to spar then?"

"Please have mercy." Matthew retreated quickly. "A single nudge from Wolf Beil and I would be flying through the air!"

"You never know until you try." Leila said wryly.

"Leila, I'm hurt!" Matthew said. "You want your new and improved fiancé to be beaten in front of you?"

"A lesson in humility would do you some good." Leila giggled. "Though you may actually be able to best Lord Hector if you played your cards right."

"And have Sir proper Oswin and Miss pissed off Serra down my neck? I think not." Matthew said firmly. "I've had enough danger to last a lifetime without bringing more upon myself."

"Oh? Then what about those deals you keep making with Guy?" Leila said, her eyes glinting dangerously.

"…Oh, you're good."

"The best."

"I think I'm going to leave before you two start making out." Hector choked. "It's like… oppressive force or something. Just because you two are all lovey-dovey now…"

"Come now, milord, there are some fine women you can set your eyes on." Matthew grinned. "You're just too much of a louse to stand much of a chance with them."

"I will hurt you one day, Matthew." Hector said. "Not a specific day. Just… one day."

"Oh dear." Matthew sighed.

"One step too far as always." Leila giggled again.

Heath breathed in the cool air of the oasis. He had traveled a fair distance away from camp so he could have a moment to be alone. He wasn't trying to be disrespectful, quite the contrary. It was something he needed to do, but did not want to burden the others with it.

Slowly, he raised his lance. As he did so, his faithful Wyvern Duessel shot a single breath of fire into the air. Wyverns couldn't breathe fire often, which made it impossible to use in combat. Wyverns only breathed fire during times of extreme sadness and regret. Duessel was likely feeding off of his own feeling in that respect.

Lowering the lance, Heath began. The lance form of Bern was one he was no longer allowed to use for fear of being recognized as Bernese, being turned in as a traitor for some piddling reward. In battle, he often had to double check himself to ensure he avoided his old habits. However, now, in the evening light, to honor the comrades who had fought beside him, he would dance.

High, low. Left, right. Side, shuffle. Swing, stab. The dance continued until the finally, as he brought himself and the lance down into the cool water. After a moment of submersion, he came up, reborn as a new man once more. He had done this when he had shed the Bern part of himself, to cats away the doubts of his decision. Now, though his doubts were less, he did it again. Hopefully, there wouldn't' be a third time.

"Wow~" An impressed voice whistled. "Impressive dance, though I guess you didn't want anyone to see. Is someone chasing you or something?"

Heath snapped to attention, his lance wheeling around to face the mysterious person. Legault stood by the nearby palm tree, not bothering to hide himself as he clapped softly. "Me?"

"You're going to tire yourself out staying on guard all the time." Legault mused. "Shoulder get stiff and all that. By the way, your Wyvern is a bit of a dead give away."

Duessel. Heath sighed. These people weren't as uninformed as he had hoped, then. Bern was the only nation that trained Wyverns in combat, so it would be obvious where he came from. "Who are you, then?" Heath asked. "I've heard of this company's… mission, to an extent. However, you seem to enjoy acting more as an individual. A spy for the King then? Or one of the Black Fang?"

"Well, I am Black Fang, but…" Legualt vanished. Heath's eyes widened in horror as somehow his vision failed him. How had he done that? A tap on his shoulder made him stumble and fall back into the cool water. "Behind you."

"How in the… you Knave!"

"Hey now, no need for that kind of language." Legault said calmly. "It's okay. You can take a breath. Calm down. I'm Legault. I'm a thief, formerly with the Black Fang. I've got no connections with Bern, so I wouldn't be with those fellows chasing you. Rest easy."

"What do you want?" Heath snapped.

"Nothing." Legault shrugged. "You looked so tense that I just… Well I thought I'd try to lighten the mood."

"It's none of your concern!"

"Clearly." Legault sighed. "And I thought I had the friendly thing down pat, too… oh well."

With a swish of his cape, the thief vanished into the shadows. Something about him bugged Heath, but he couldn't put a finger on what it was. Was it truly that he was too tense? Somehow, it felt like that wasn't the full truth.

"Forgive me, Lord Heath, but I overheard." A voice spoke from nearby.

Turning once more Heath spotted the Red Cavalier that traveled by the Sacaen leader's side. Wgat was his name again? "I joined your ranks, so titles ill suit me now." Heath said. "I am from Bern, yes. I do ask that you not hold that against me. You are…?"

"Kent, Knight of Caelin."

"Knight… then the Sacaen woman is the current Lord of Caelin?"

"That is correct!" Kent exclaimed, surprised by heath's knowledge. "Our land may not be the largest, but our knights are among the bravest!"

Heath nodded. "I see. I could tell as much by the way you carry yourself. Strong… confident… are they looking for new recruits?"

"Beg pardon?" Kent asked, confused.

"I am… a free agent, so to speak." Heath chuckled. "Since I could not complete my term of service in Bern… I am looking for someone more worthy of my service."

Kent seemed to consider this, though he did eye Heath a tad more suspiciously than before. That was good, it was necessary for a knight to be cautious. It only served to strengthen his question. "Courageous… indeed." Kent muttered, seeming to have reached a decision. "The gates of Caelin are always welcome. If you are strong and loyal, we will gladly take you."

Loyal, huh? Heath smiled ruefully. This knight had seen right through him to his weakest point. Negotiating would be more difficult with him from now on. He supposed it was a risk worth taking.

Isadora's lance struck true. Sain toppled from his horse, winded from the force of the blow. Sure, it had been with the wooden sticks, but for his lance work to be so thoroughly outclassed…

"Now, as per our agreement, you will leave me to work in peace." Isadora said calmly, as she dismounted.

"Beautiful." Sain chuckled.

"Excuse me?"

"Your lancework. I've seen… but that… I've never been so completely mismatched. I still have much to learn, it seems."

"Indeed you do." Isadora said approvingly. "That attitude suits you much better."

"May I ask a favor?" Sain asked, standing.

"If it's about-"

"It's not." Sain said quickly. "I would like you to show me the lance work of Pharae. I haven't had a chance to study it and apply it to my own fighting. If I do, perhaps I may yet be a match for you."

"Stubborn, aren't you?" Isadora sighed.

"It's my only redeeming trait." Sain said with a grin.

Isadora considered this for a moment. If she helped him, he would likely continued to hit on her… thought to be honest, the flattery was nice. After Harken… she hadn't felt much like a woman, lately. Training with Marcus, with Lowen, caring for Lord Eliwood, the battles… "Very well. I can't see a rwason to say no when a fellow cavalier wished to improve themselves."

"Thank you, Lady Isadora." Sain said with a bow. "For now though, I think I'll go get patched up. I think my stomach has caved in on itself."

As Sain staggered away, Isadora chuckled. He was a stranger one, that green knight. Picking up her sword, she began to practice her stances. If ever she should be knocked off her horse, fighting on foot was another skill that required refinement.

"Passionate, aren't you?" A voice whistled. "Still practicing swordplay when it's almost dinner?"

"You…" Isadora turned, to see Legault, waving merrily at her from the nearest tree. "The Black Fang- pardon. I meant former Black Fang. Correct?"

"Legault will do much better." The thief chuckled.

"Very well." Isadora said. "Master Legault, allow me to ask you a question."

"Go on then." Legault said, leaning on the tree.

"These Black Fang Assassins… what are they like? I've only heard of them thus far, so any information… I need to know as much as I can to avoid surprises in battle. These assassins must have techniques, patterns to-"

"Wrapped in black robes, with blades of ice." Legault recited, as if by heart. "A movement in the shadows, an instant death… I suppose that's the image you've built for yourself, right?"

"Is it incorrect?" Isadora queried.

"Yep." Legault laughed. "Sorry to say, but it's nothing as exotic as that. Well, there was that angel team, but they fell apart pretty quickly. Mark was too flamboyant, Will too resistant… Jaffar might fit that description well enough. Certainly never says anything. Apart from them… well the commander's sons are quite something. Lloyd and Linus? Watching them work is… WAS like watching master artisans. They could probably still pull off those crazy stunts, but for an old leftover like me… nah it's impossible, sorry to say."

"A… leftover?" Isadora asked. "What do you mean by that?"

"I'm fairly useless in battle, but it's nice to meet you, all the same." Legault said cheerily, before vanishing with a swish of his cape.

"W… Well met." Isadora muttered into empty space.

Lyn sighed. She knew what she needed… no, what she wanted to do, but it was… difficult. It wasn't something she enjoyed. Yet it was. It was… urgh she was going in circles again.

Ninian, Rath, Kent and Sain… everyone kept telling her the same thing. She wouldn't be happy without saying anything. Yet… Florina already had said it. She and Will… they were… She was… She felt lost. Again.

Was this… how her mother had felt. Torn between a duty to her father, and someone she felt inexorably drawn too? Why had the attraction started in the first place? Was it inevitable? A series of events?

No. It was… a choice. Lyn had seen his pain, his past, and accepted it. She had seen his smile, his joy, and wanted to be part of it. She had pulled him up during his struggles as he did for her. He was… Her master tactician. She was his peerless warrior. A year ago, she had let him leave, walking away and potentially out of her life forever. She couldn't' bear to let that happen again. She wouldn't. Even if it meant… her and Florina would have to…

Enough thinking. She never did well when she thought to heavily. She was her actions. It was as Rath said, sometimes words were important. But it was also how Rath… was. Most of the time, they could understand him without words. She was… to be honest, not much better. Her often… got mixed up in the emotions she felt. At the time, they would feel right. Then… they wouldn't.

"Lyn?" Will's voice came from the nearby trees. "You're here, right?"

"Over here!" Lyn said.

Will emerged, looking a little confused. "Was it time for sword training again? I thought-"

"No no, this isn't that." Lyn said. "I just… we haven't had much time to talk."

"True, things have been busy." Will admitted. "With Rath and Heath now, our company has gotten quite big."

"And we're entering Nabata Desert tomorrow." Lyn said. "Once we do, we'll be too busy to talk."

"I see." Will nodded. "Alright then, where should we start?"

"The craziness?" Lyn said unhelpfully. "I… I dunno. Everything? It's like… I just want to… talk."

"You've been there every step of the way." Will said. "To be honest, me going over it likely isn't going to help either of us understand more."

"Aureola." Lyn said, stopping Will from continuing. "Renault gave it to you. Does that mean… you'll use it?"

"I don't know if I even can." Will admitted. "I pulled off a divine with Ninian's help, but I'll have to start trying to cast it every day to get used to the strain. If Aureola is even more taxing, I'm not sure I should be the one to wield it. It's why finding Athos is so important."

"So we can learn more." Lyn agreed. "It feels like we're always just clinging on to the edge of the cliff."

"That's the truth." Will said. "I've only made it this far thanks to everyone here."

"Some more than others." Lyn muttered darkly.

"Oh… that. Well…" Will trailed off. "I'm not being secretive about it, if that's what you're asking."

"No, this isn't about Florina." Lyn said firmly. "I… I've done too much for her already. This is… about me."

"Well, certainly you've been the most valuable companion a guy could have." Will chuckled. "Not many tacticians are gifted with a peerless warrior."

"That's it though, isn't it?" Lyn said. "And then you'll leave me, again, for parts unknown."

"Lyn, what-"

Lyn reached over, and pulled him into a kiss. It lasted a moment shorter than she would've wanted, as Will pulled away. "I know." She said. "I know it's not what you want. I know it's only going to make things more difficult, but I… I can't lie about what my heart wants anymore, Will. I want you to stay with me. Always."

"I… I see." Will said. "I… I need to…"

"Yeah. I know." Lyn said with a soft smile. "The Master Tactician never sleeps."

"I'm sorry, Lyn."

"You're not sorry." Lyn said, looking him in the eyes. "Just… lost. Just know that… in the end, I won't hate you. I just… had to."

"Yeah… thanks." Will said. "See you later, Lyn."

As he walked away, Lyn placed a hand gently to her lips. She sighed, feeling the blush that still spread across her face. She certainly was… the worst friend.