Author's Note: This took a very long time for me. I have no idea how I've ended up so busy but things happened and well… at least I'm working on the chapters again. This one should have come easily, to be fair. The script pretty much covers everything for this one. Man those Bern families and their Game of Thrones nonsense.

Pixelsaber: To be fair, Hector's dream is a weird support with Eliwood. I feel like they stuck it in mainly as fan service for the previous game, since this is the prequel to Binding Blade.

As always, please review if you have the chance. It really helps me out.

Chapter 78: Unfulfilled Heart

Dearest Brother,

I heard from Aunty Hellene that you'll be the crown prince soon! That's amazing!

I learned how to write from the nice teachers daddy keeps sending me! I can even write letters now, see?

When are you coming to visit again? I do so love playing games with you.

Love,

Guinevere

The Bern Royal Family. If rumors are true, it's a genuine pageant of power, love, and hate.

"Oh, the rumors are completely true, I'm afraid. Desmond is quite the paranoid ruler, I'm sad to say."

Thanks to Hector's reckless gamble, we're unsure if our presence here has been revealed. Regardless, we still have no information regarding the Fire Emblem's location.

"Well, sorry I was trying to help. Next time I'll keep my big mouth shut."

To avoid further detection, we've gone full incognito to attempt to recover the Fire Emblem. Without any other options, we attempt to sneak into the castle grounds. If we can find out any information, or manage to even catch a glimpse of these vaults that were broken into, we would maybe get… something.

"Or a large pile of nothing. We have to try, though."

"Could you not?" Will whispered back to Pent and Hector, both of whom had been spying over his shoulder.

"Well you were the one who held us up to write a little journal entry." Hector chuckled. "What are you, a girl?"

"I find that insulting." Lyn growled. "I've never written anything longer than a letter."

"Well, you are a unique woman, Lyndis." Eliwood smiled. "But that is strange. Why did you have us stop?"

"It was Lord Pent's suggestion." Will admitted.

"I thought it would be nice for you all to have a breath before diving into the belly of the beast." Pent smiled. "Just be ready for what you're going to see."

"I can't believe they built a palace up in these mountains." Hector sighed.

"Bern is the only country on the continent where wyverns still fly. With its wyvern riders, I imagine this castle is the best-defended anywhere." Eliwood said sagely, viewing the imposing monument.

"It would be impossible to scale that mountain's face. A direct assault on the castle could only funnel through these mountains right to their waiting arms." Lyn sighed. "Defenders higher up on the plains always had a clear advantage. Even the best soldiers could be taken out with ease. Isn't that so?"

"It is strange though." Will muttered. "Why don't they have sentries posted? There's one thing to have confidence in your defenses, another to not have precautions."

"Considering the surroundings, I'd bet they make do simply with patrols inside the castle." Eliwood smiled ruefully. "I certainly wouldn't want them as an enemy."

"And yet from this impregnable fortress, a treasure was stolen." Will muttered. "That's why even though they've given us some time, I'm not buying the story. Perhaps the King is responsible for all of it. To be honest, it's a more plausible theory then some mysterious thief without proof of the deed."

"You're right." Eliwood agreed. "But I can't imagine why the king would do it. To find the Fire Emblem, they would know we're going to need clues. Any investigative team would."

"I think we should try sneaking into the castle." Lyn said firmly.

"Wait, I'm not sure that's the best idea." Pent said.

"A small team only then." Lyn argued. "The four of us. You and Louise can stay here to make sure our escape route is secured."

"Whatever happens, we must not be caught." Eliwood said tentatively. "If it seems impossible or even dangerous, we turn around at the first sign of trouble. Understood?"

"We'll follow your lead, Lyndis." Hector grunted. "You're the tracker here."

Lyndis led the small group of four away, finding an excellent path despite not being familiar with the mountainous terrain.

"Be careful." Pent muttered.

For as heavily guarded as it appeared, Lyndis' skills seemed much superior in terms of not being detected. The guards they did have missed the shadowy four as they moved silently through the grass, passing through the smallest of gaps in the castle's back gate. The cold stone quickly gave way to large patches of wild grass, just beyond which they could see a large courtyard and several patches of flowers. Luckily, they were already in the thicket, which made it easier for them to pause when they spotted a small child with golden hair dancing around the courtyard.

She turned suddenly, shouting gleefully as she bounded towards another golden haired person. "Brother! Hello, Zephiel!"

"Ah, Guinivere." Zephiel smiled softly, patting the younger girl on the head. "Have you been well?"

"Uh-huh!" The girl beamed. "I've been fine. But if you would come and see me every day, I'd be even better! Much, much better than normal!"

"Every day?" Zephiel raised an eyebrow. "Well, that's an awful lot, but I'll try to come by as often as possible. All for you, dear sister."

"Yippee!" The girl cheered, leaping up for a hug. Zephiel obliged her.

"Guinivere!" A stern voice sounded from the entrance to the castle. "Guinivere! Where are you, lass?"

The girl turned from Zephiel, rushing towards the sound. "Here I am, father! Welcome home!" She leapt into her father's arms, who received her joyously.

"There you are." The king chuckled softly. "Were you a good girl while I was gone? Come, give your father a kiss. You're as adorable as ever." His eyes glanced over at the boy, who bowed politely.

"Well met, father."

"Zephiel." The king's voice darkened. "Hmph. You take the same unpleasant tone as your mother."

"What?" The boy asked, surprised. "I-"

"Silence." The king barked. "What brings you to my castle?"

"Ah, yes." The boy said, having just remembered. He turned to the imposing figure next to him, several heads taller. "Murdock?"

"Yes, my lord." The large man held forth a bundle, which the young man took.

"We were hunting in the forest earlier." Zephiel explained, as he gingerly reached inside the bundle. "I found this and thought Guinivere might like it."

Guinivere saw the tiny creature that emerged, cradled gently in her brother's arms, and her heart exploded with cute. "EEEEEEK! A baby fox! How cute! Is it for me? Really and truly?"

"Do you like it?" the boy smiled.

"YES!" The girl squealed. She took the fox carefully from her brother. Holding it gently, she tapped its nose softly. The baby fox squeaked at her, which made her grin all the more. "Thank you, brother. I do love you so!"

"Guinivere, go play for a while." Desmond said softly.

"Okay!" the girl said excitedly. "Come on, I'll show you around, you lovely little fox!" She bounded away, the little fox held softly in her arms.

"I've told you to stay away from the castle." The king spat at Zephiel, once Guinivere was gone.

"Yes…" Zephiel lowered his head. "I know… I beg your pardon. I heard that Guinivere was ill and I was… worried."

Desmond growled. "You mean you came to see if she would die, don't you?"

"Father, please-" Zephiel began.

"I beg your pardon, your majesty, but that's-" Murdock cut in.

"HOLD YOUR TONGUE, MURDOCK!" Desmond roared. "Do not forget whom you serve! The king of Bern!"

Murdock clenched his jaw shut, though he seemed willing to continue to speak. Zephiel, however, placed a hand on the larger man's chest. "It's all right, Murdock." He turned back to Zephiel. "Father, I would never want to see Guinivere harmed in any-"

"You and your mother think of nothing but stealing MY throne." Desmond spat. "You plague me. Return to the manse!"

Zephiel sighed. "…As you wish, father." He turned away. "I beg your leave." He and the hulking general walked away, leaving only Desmond in the garden. Well, him and one other strange, shadowy figure.

Desmond growled angrily. It was just one thing after another with those two. "No matter how I warn him, he comes. Why is it that the very sight of him tries my patience so? He must truly be of my flesh and blood, and yet…"

"It is jealousy, my king." The shadowy figure giggled.

"Who's there?' the king shouted, spinning. Perhaps he hadn't seen the figure, like Will and Lyn had. The jolt of Eliwood and Hector told the other two they hadn't seen her either.

"It is I… Sonia." The woman smiled.

Will winced, placing a hand to his head. Why did that name sound so familiar. Even with his memory problems, he was sure he had never seen the woman before. But her name… that name…

"You, huh?" The king seemed unsurprised. "Well? Is the Emblem safe?"

"Yes." Sonia giggled once more. "I have it in my possession. It is all as we have planned."

"It is unlikely…" the king crossed his arms. "But should the Queen attempt to win the Emblem back, are you prepared?"

"None shall succeed." Sonia assured. "Not while it is secreted away within the Black Fang's fortress."

"Keep it concealed until dusk of the tenth day. Only then can you return it to me." Desmond replied.

"As your will, your Grace."

"And my other request?" The King demanded.

"One of the four will attend to it. There will be no mistakes, I assure you. However, General Murdock, the man protecting the prince… He is young, surely, but well respected. Shall we finish him, too?" Sonia cooed.

"Murdock…" Desmond grumbled. "His birth is low, yet his combat skills won him the title of the Wyvern general. It would be a great blow to Bern if we lost him. I shall think of something to remove him from Zephiel's side. Will that do?"

"Yes, that would be a great help." Sonia smiled. Suddenly, her eyes flashed over the grass where the four still stood, their breath catching in their throats. "Wait."

"What?" Desmond seemed genuinely alarmed for the first time. Of course, being caught conspiring against the heir was likely an offense of some precedence in the Bern royal family. At least, if one was caught with the proof in their hands. "What is it?"

"I sense… someone." Sonia said softly.

"WHERE?!" Desmond cried desperately.

"Father! Brother! Where'd you go?" The girl's young voice called from nearby, giggling happily.

Desmond breathed a sigh of relief. "Do not worry, it's my daughter."

Sonia turned to Desmond, her eyes linger a second longer on the grass. "Of course. Do not forget the Black Fang's role once we are successful."

"Of course. Now begone. Quickly."

"Farewell." Sonia said, with an airy wave of her hand. A moment later, she had vanished into the air.

"Teleportation?" Lyn breathed in Will's ear. "Just like Nergal at the Dragon's Gate."

"A terrifying ability to have at one's disposal." Will breathed back.

"Zephiel!" the young Guinivere called. "This kit, it… hm?" She looked around, seeing that her brother was gone. "Where's my brother?"

"He had an errand to perform." Desmond said smoothly. "So he left."

"Oh no!" The young girl cried unhappily. "No, no, no! I wanted to play!"

"Come, Guinivere." Desmond said softly. "I'll play with you."

"No!" Guinivere said stubbornly. "I want to play with him, not you! I'll go and call him back. Here, hold my fox!" She handed the small creature to her father, before dashing off towards the castle gates. With any luck, she'd fail to catch him.

"Attend me!" The King barked. Instantly, two soldiers appeared behind him. They must have been waiting by garden entrance for him. Desmond gripped the kit by the neck, handing it towards the nearest soldier. "Take this beast and kill it! Do not let Guinivere know what you do."

"…Understood." The soldier said, grabbing the tiny yelping fox.

"Zephiel, you knave." Desmond growled. "Trying to steal my Guinivere's love… you will learn your place."

"It's time to go." Eliwood said, gripping Will's shoulder.

"I agree, but…" Will glanced at the baby fox.

"I'll follow them." Lyn said. "If I can save it without being spotted, I will."

"Thank you, Lyn." Will said with a smile.

"That was close." Hector muttered after they had escaped the way they came. Lyn, true to her word, rushed off the moment they were safe.

"This is worse than I had imagined." Eliwood sighed. "The Black Fang has already reached the King."

"Their plans for Lycia failed, so they turned their sights to Bern." Will said, crossing his arms thoughtfully.

"If a country as powerful as Bern moves, peace has no hope." Hector growled.

"What Nergal desires…" Elwiood said, his voice trailing off momentarily. "Powerful quintessence. Calling dragons back… Does he wish to embroil this world in chaos? Whatever his plans, he must be stopped at any cost!"

"Right." Will agreed. "First, we find the Fire Emblem and return it to the queen. We do that, she'll point us in the direction of the Shrine of Seals. The Black Fang fortress… That's where we need to go next."

"I'm kinda worried too, I guess." Nils admitted. His sister had spoken of nothing but Lord Eliwood since he had left, pacing back and forth worriedly. It was starting to get to him. The teasing could only take him so far. "Lord Hector's a strange guy, isn't he?"

"Nils, that's impolite." Ninian said, placing a hand on her hip. "Saying people are strange."

"But it's true." Nils shrugged. "He doesn't put on airs like other nobles. He even lets me ride on his shoulders. He's pushy and rough, but really nice underneath all of it. I really like him."

Ninian paused, looking at her brother thoughtfully. "Nils…"

"I keep thinking…" Nils said, his voice soft to ensure no one overheard him. "What if people from long ago were all like him? If everyone had gotten along better… you know?"

"Yes…" Ninian said, looking towards the castle. "I agree…"

"Tell me, Ninian. How fond of Lord Eliwood are you?"

Ninian blushed furiously. "Nils!"

Nils chuckled softly. "That much, huh?" He walked over to his sister, taking her hand. "You mustn't fall in love with him. You know that, don't you? We are…"

"I know." Ninian said firmly. Taking her hand away. "But I… I cannot… I…" As she trailed off, she turned away.

"Ninian!" Nils said seriously.

"I… need time to think." Ninian said softly. "May I be alone… please?"

"Ninian…" Nils watched as his sister walked away.

Lyn crept through the grass. Softly, slowly… she could not make a single mistake. She had caught the soldier's footsteps quickly, the tiny mewling of the baby fox. Following in the shadows, the way Sacaens hunted pray in the woods, she closed the distance.

"Seems a shame killing a tiny baby like this." The first soldier said.

"Tell me about it." The second sighed. "I didn't become a soldier to be a plaything in these little games the Lord and Lady keep playing with each other."

"A right pageant of misery, Bern is." The first coughed.

"Don't let them hear you saying that." The second reprimanded.

"I won't." The first said sheepishly. "Do you think things will get better, once the prince is named heir?"

"Who can say? It might just make the situation blow up that much sooner." The second sighed. "Anyway, what do we do with the little thing then?"

"If it's alright-" Lyn said, stepping from the shadows. "I would be happy to take it from you."

"Who're you!" The soldiers shouted in unison, their hands going to their blades.

"Merely a traveler!" Lyn said quickly, raising her hands in mock surrender. She was glad she listened to Will's long winded explanations on tactics during negotiations. As well as her grandfather's tutors, as annoying as they were. "I heard you talking about a child and I found myself unable to stay silent."

"Ah, yeah." The second soldier said, those his guard didn't relax. "Poor thing wouldn't last long even if we let it go. Can't keep it either, so…"

"In which case, you have nothing to lose by entrusting it to me?" Lyn said hopefully.

The two soldiers looked at each other. They contemplated her request, but seeing no way this could be a trap, they shrugged. The first stepped forward, holding the fox out towards her. Lyn gently took the fox from the man, cradling the tuckered out animal in her arms. "All yours then. You're Sacaen, aren't you? What tribe?"

"The Lorca." Lyn replied habitually. "Though there are only three of us now. We travel the world together."

"Then… take care of the little girl." The first said.

"Girl?" Lyn seemed surprised.

"I used to hunt animals myself." The first said proudly. "I know how to distinguish gender on most animals."

"A talent not many would find useful, but special only to you." Lyn said with a smile. "Mother Earth and Father Sky bless you both, and your kindness."

She turned then, walking away from the soldiers. With their conscious clear, the two quickly devised an easy lie. They would tell the king they killed the fox and left its body for the forest creatures. Desmond would not care so long as the fox was never seen again. He hadn't asked for proof either, so that was on him. After all, they were dutiful soldiers.

"You're alright?" Will asked for what must've been the third time.

"Fine." Lyn reassured him. "As I told you, the soldiers were quite reasonable. Luckily my Sacaen heritage does not make me appear to be a Lycian spy to these guards, so I passed myself off as a traveler. It made no sense to hurt them when they could be reasoned with."

"I agree." Eliwood said with a smile. "The less uproar we cause the better."

"Thank you, Lyn." Will said. "I know it was selfish of me."

"Wanting to save an innocent living creature in front of your eyes isn't a flaw in my book." Lyn said softly. "It's what makes you who you are."

"We'd better hurry and rejoin the others." Hector said, though he spared a glance to the small fox in Lyn's arms. Turning away, he glanced into the sky. "Hang on, that's… a wyvern rider!"

The others glanced up as well. Sure enough, a large Wyvern was flying close overhead, its wingspan greater than the entirety of the small group huddled together. "She's coming closer." Eliwood breathed. "Has she seen us?"

"No, it's not us she's seen." Lyn said, placing the small fox in the satchel she carried around her waist. "It's Nils!"

"Let's go!" Will shouted, the four bolting towards the young boy, as the wyvern bore down upon him.

"Light green hair, crimson eyes… No mistake! You're one of Lord Nergal's lost toys. Found you at last." The raspy, throaty low voice of a female sounded from the wyverns back.

"What are you?" Nils asked in surprise, sounding genuinely frightened. "Why can't I sense you!?"

"What happened to your bodyguards?" The woman laughed, sounding like she was licking her lips as she did so. "I heard they were tough. I wanted to see for myself. Well, you're here, so they can't be too far away, can they?"

Nils remained silent.

"C'mon boy, scream!" The woman cackled. "Call you friends to you! I grow weary of waiting. I am not known for my patience!"

Suddenly, a second wyvern dropped from the sky, Nils being yanked from the woman's grasp as the sounds of lance striking lance sounded roughly. "I'm the one you're looking for." The younger voice of Heath spoke firmly from his wyvern, growling at the woman's own. "You leave this boy alone."

The woman smiled. "You've come. I've been looking forward to this."

"Not as much as I was afraid of it coming to pass." Heath replied.

"What, are you still hung up about that?" The woman laughed.

"I'll never be satisfied with their deaths, even if I were to take your head and the head of all your men with me." Heath growled.

"And yet, you can't resist the chance, can you?" The woman replied. "After all, I'm the one who brought down the axe."

"Damn you!" Heath's lance clashed with hers a second time, their wyvern screeching as their wings began to beat, taking them both into the air. "Nils, hold on to me!" Heath demanded quickly, and the young boy complied.

"I ravish a second chance to crush you, traitor." The woman smiled. "After you're dead I'll hand over the child to Lord Nergal."

"Nergal?" Heath muttered. "So, you're one of his dogs, then."

"I'll not be called a dog by you, blackheart!" The woman spat. "You slaughtered innocents and claimed the general was responsible for your actions! True, we've a contract with the Black Fang, but I am loyal to only one master! He who sits on the throne of Bern!"

"Then why are you in the employ-"

"Too much talk!" The woman spat. "I've hungered to test my strength, so you better make this last awhile, you hear me? I want to get wild!"

Heath sighed as he prepared his lance to fight back. "Vaida…"

"Will, we're all scattered and in hiding." Hector growled to him. "The enemy might try to pick us off if we stay divided like this. Who knows how many forces that woman brought with her?"

"Agreed." Will said. "We split and find our groups. Once we've found them, we gather at the meeting spot at the base of those mountains." Will pointed. "Take care of yourselves and each other."

"Right." The three lords agreed. Without any further chatter, the four split in different directions, vanishing into the grass and cliff faces.

"Allow us to accompany you, Lord William." Pent said with a soft smile.

"Yes. Lord Pent's magic and my archery should be of great assistance." Louise agreed.

"And Ninian?" Will asked.

"She was concerned for Young Nils, but she agreed to go with Lord Eliwood nonetheless." Pent said pleasantly. "Lady Lyndis and Lord hector are quite capable even on their own, so I simply figured-"

"You'd help the weakest one stay alive, huh?" Will sighed. "Not that I can argue."

"No no, you are quite vital to the success of our group in battle." Pent assured. "Not only for your tactics, but your attitude certainly has an effect on our morale in all situations. I've already seen it at work."

"Thanks, I think." Will replied. "Now let's go find the others."

"I do believe there are a few villages in our path back to the others." Lousie said kindly. "Should we not warn them?"

"If we have the chance, of course." Will agreed.

"Yes, of course we understand. We'll close our village for the time being and stay indoors." The mayor agreed readily, which Will was only too glad for.

"Thank you, we'll move as far away as possible so your village won't get caught in the battle." Will sighed. "The Black Fang seem to be caring less and less about collateral damage."

"I've heard some strange stories." The mayor agreed. "I hear they have a swordfighter who wields the fearsome Light Brand."

Pent looked concerned. "Here?"

"No, not that I know of." The mayor said quickly. "But if the Fang are after you, you may run into him somewhere. You should be careful if you do. The Light Brand is a magic sword, one that can cut you while you're close and hurl magic at you from afar. Step lightly if you find him on the same battlefield as yours."

"We will." Will said. "Thank you."

"That sounds an awful lot like the enchantment you've tried adding to weapons." Pent mused. "The Light Brand must be a very expensive relic of the bygone ages."

"Light magic beats dark magic, but loses to Anima." Will muttered. "If I can work on Imbuing the Mani Katti Lyn owns with Fire like we did that one time, she may be able to stand up to this man should we meet him, but the risks involved are…" he trailed off as a strange woman blocked their path out of town with a rather large horse and cart. Upon noticing them, she quickly attempted to get her horse moving, but it did so very slowly and begrudgingly.

The woman bowed politely before approaching them. "I do apologize about this."

"It's not an issue." Pent said kindly.

The woman's eyes rested upon Will for a moment. "It's you…"

"Me?" Will asked. "Do I know you?"

Louise's hand drifted idly to her bow, the other hand placed softly upon an arrow in her quiver. The woman smiled knowingly. "I saw you under that wyvern from afar. You're with them, right?"

"And if I am?" Will asked.

Pent's hand also began to drift towards his tome, eyeing the woman kindly, but suspiciously. The woman chuckled. "Perhaps I shouldn't interfere, but I have something you could make use of." From her cloak, she pulled a strange staff.

Will's eyes lit up upon seeing the staff. It was truly something rare and meaningful that he hadn't expected to see on their journey. "Hammerne?"

"Yes, it can help you repair items." The woman said kindly. "It should help you bring that wyvern riding hag down."

"Do you know her?" Pent asked.

"No, but a woman so indelicate as to lick her lips like that in front of a man… can't be trusted." The woman said, placing a hand to her mouth mysteriously. "Well, my horse is out of your way now, so I shall do the same. Do forgive me for holding you up."

"It's no trouble." Will said, too blown away from the present to notice Louise and Pent's continued caution. "Thank you."

The woman shook her head. The three left the town, leaving only her behind. Sighing after they left, she spat on the ground in disgust. "I know that wasn't what I was supposed to do, but Elimine be damned if I hand over my glory to that newcomer Vaida. Let her die in agony, and I'll act when the time is truly right."

Heath knew he had to keep his cool. He had to. If he lost it here, Vaida would win. She would kill him and take the child. He had noticed the people below him dispersing to gather the rest of their forces, but even as they did so he could see the other groups fighting. Florina, Fiora and Farina were in the air with archers on their back, firing at the Wyverns from afar while engaging with lances when they had to. The knights and cavaliers in front, fighting the forces while their mages took the backline, firing bolts of fire and lightning with ease.

The woman known as Karla was truly fearless, standing toe to toe with Barte on the frontline, even seeming to hold some sort of argument with him the entire time they fought, cutting down foes with surprising ease. Isadora, similarly, was holding the front with Marcus and Lowen, their horses armored and imposing, while Erk and Lucius backed them up perfectly from behind. Rebecca, Geitz and Wil held positions on the backs of the three pegasi riders, their bow skills having varying degrees of success now that they weren't firmly on the ground. Rebecca seemed the best, at least hitting most of her targets, with Wil close behind her. Geitz was maybe half-successful, missing spectacularly with several shots. Luckily, their own forces weren't below the arrows when they were fired.

Dart's group had met up with Hector, and the two were on the frontline with Oswin, keeping the enemies after them at bay while Matthew and Leila snuck ahead, clearing their path to the base of the mountains. Eliwood and Ninan had met up with Kent, Sain and their small group, which he and the two cavaliers led the charge, quickly making headway against the enemies who had expected to catch them by surprise.

Vaida laughed. "Such a pleasant sound, the sounds of battle make! The look on your face is especially pleasant!"

Heath's frown didn't waver. "Not only do you believe without evidence, but you dismiss a viewpoint different from your own without hearing them out. If you had only looked at the reports of the wounds, if you had only listened to the twenty-one accounts of the general's actions-"

"There are no reports." Vaida laughed. "And any amount of traitors can concoct a story to fight their purposes."

"Then you will forever be blind to the truth." Heath growled. "Please, don't make me kill you."

"As if you wouldn't relish the chance." Vaida chuckled. "Not that you can manage it!"

Their Wyverns clashed, claws ripping into each other as Heath leapt onto the head of his Wyvern, leaving Nils tied safely to the saddle with spare rope he kept on hand. Vaida, who had expected this, met him on top of her Wyvern's own head as well, their two lances clashing as they attempted to knock each other's weapons away. It was a classic form of Bern fighting when wyverns were involved. The two combatants engaged each other on top of their Wyvern's heads, and both rider and wyvern alike attempted to rip their enemy to shreds. The first of the four to fall would decide the outcome of the battle.

Vaida took a half-step back as her wyvern roared, trying to deafen Heath's own. The screams of its fallen brethren must have driven him, for Heath's wyvern did not pause or even flinch. Claw met flesh, gaining Heath the first blow. Vaida leapt into the air momentarily, her lance coming down upon his head. Though heath blocked the blow, he could feel his lance splinter under the blow. Pulling back, he noticed the large crack in its shaft. Vaida certainly had the power to back up her drive to kill. This fight was going to be the hardest he had ever undergone.