Author's Note: Man, it's busy work having a job, doing plays at night, editing videos. Even though I've had the ideas for this chapter for a little while, I haven't had any actual time to write it with! Also I've been saving up to get a new laptop. I finally bought it which means I'll actually be able to write on the move again, which has been a big part of why these chapters have been so long in coming. I do apologize to everyone for the wait and thank you all for waiting.

Additionally, though I do like the letter format for chapter introductions, I'll be dropping it this chapter as I don't have a good one in mind. Whether or not I pick it up again later will be left to the fates.

As always, please review if you get the chance. It gives me a little smile on my face.

Chapter 80: The Sword Demon

Will pursued his notebooks thoughtfully. How had he managed to get the firs spell to take form around Lyn's blade in that instant? It still puzzled him. He had tried several times since then, but none of those efforts had borne any fruit. Erk and Canas were having similar results, even as the three focused their attempts on different weapon types. Canas was focusing on trying to add cursed power much like the one Mark had wielded to axes, so that even if their large swings missed their opponents they could use the dark magic to push back opponents and prevent them from taking advantage of those openings. That was slow goings though, and will suspected it would take several years to implement such a technique.

Erk was pulling double duty. He had attempted to add healing magic to weapons to see if it was possible for the weapon to heal the owner. That hadn't yielded any results, though he hadn't seemed to expected it too. On the weapon front, he had managed to make a reliable source of fire arrows for the archers. The problem was, a torch could do the same job at less cost. It just wasn't prudent in most combat situations to stick their mages with their archers and not use them on their own. However, it had convinced Will to purchase a small bulk of torches that could be easily lit if Fire arrows could have use in a coming battle.

Will himself, for fear of ruining a perfectly usable weapon, only practiced adding flames to weapons that were already damaged or excess obtained from the enemies they had defeated. For this, he was extremely grateful Florina and Lyn had volunteered to try the weapons when he added the flames. Just in case, he had also enlisted Priscilla to heal any burns that may occur. However, none of it worked the way he had hoped. The damaged weapons caused the flames to bend or shoot out unexpectedly, which sometimes could result in high danger for the wielder. Lyn's battle sense was key in avoiding any lasting injuries with those attempts. After Florina had her hands burnt and healed, Will dropped the idea of adding flames to damaged weapons to make them useful in battle again.

"I'm not certain, but the key seems to be that the weapon needs to be strongly built. It needs to be relatively new, I suppose." Will mused.

"Maybe." Florina agreed. "I mean, the only time it worked was with Lyn's Mani Katti, right?"

Yeah." Lyn agreed, wiping the sweat from her brows. "I'll admit the circumstances were demanding, but it's difficult to replicate something you did in the heat of the moment. It's always that way for battle forms too."

Will sighed again. "Thanks for helping me out with this, you two. I just- "

"Want to take all the necessary precautions." Florina giggled. "We know."

"I just wish we could be of more help." Lyn shrugged. "Magic has always been outside of my understanding. It just wasn't something people were accustomed to on the plains. To be honest, it used to make me nervous when Erk would cast spells in battle. Something that materializes from the air and can't be touched… it just didn't sit right. I'm glad Erk was so reliable. It helped get me used to it."

"In Ilia, there are some Pegasus knights who train in magic." Florina said.

"Really?" Will asked in surprise.

"Well yeah." Florina continued. "It's like when you put mages on the back of our pegasi. These riders learn magic so they can attack from afar, while they keep a lance for close combat and javelins as well."

"Ilian riders are fierce, aren't they." Will whistled.

Florina blushed. Lyn sighed. "Either way, I'm just glad you came to us. You still have that tendency to try and do the hardest parts alone. If you're going to try something, or worry about something, I'd rather you share it."

"I will." Will agreed. "When I can."

Lyn glared.

"Well I am still hired by Eliwood!" He defended himself quickly. "If he wants me to do something or you know, that a- "

"Eliwood wouldn't do that and you know it." Lyn said firmly.

"Yes." Will slumped, defeated. "You're completely right."

Florina and Lyn both giggled. He supposed it was time to give up for the day. "Dinner?"

"Agreed."

Their progress through the fort had been slow. Will couldn't be sure why the memory was playing through his head, but the thoughts that surfaced quickly vanished as they came upon a strange man in Sacaen garb. He stood in their path, yet did not look their way, choosing instead to view the afternoon sky. His long brown hair was tied in a ponytail reminiscent of Lyn's own and in his left hand he held a katana blade, longer than any Will had seen. One thing was certain: He was dangerous.

"Brother!" Karla shouted suddenly, leaping forward and attacking with her sword without hesitation. The ferocity of her attack caught the entire small group by surprise, but what was even more surprising was that the man blocked the attack with his sword at the last possible second.

He eyed the younger proclaimed sister with disinterest. "As dull as ever." He said softly, before he moved. His stance, which had seemed inattentive at first glance, changed as he suddenly lunged forward, the force of his step crushing the grass beneath his feet, as he swung the blade blocking Karla's with a single hand. As his did this, Karla found herself floating momentarily in the air as she was pushed, with great velocity, away from the man she called brother.

"Wait!" Will demanded of Karla as she snarled, ready to leap at the man once more. "We don't have time for this!" He looked at the man. "Who are you?"

"Karel." The man answered.

That was good. At least he would listen if he spoke. "What are you doing here?"

"Searching." Karel replied. His sword flashed as he raised it slightly. "For one to quench my blade's thirst."

That… was less promising. "I see." Will said calmly. "We are merely trapped here by happenstance. We have no intention of fighting you."

"You may not." Karel agreed. "Though there are those who disagree." He nodded towards Karla.

"Will." Lyn whispered. "He's not going to let us through."

"Why?" Will asked.

"I've seen that look before." Lyn smiled slightly. "It's one looking for a fight. For a challenge. And in terms of swordsmanship…"

"Sacaens never run from a challenge." Will grit his teeth. "That pride… now?"

"Not mine." Lyn said. "His. If we turn our backs, we as fellow Sacaens have given him permission to strike us down. With that risk on the table…"

"Not an option." Will agreed. "but he's- "

"Strong." Lyn nodded. "If Karla wants to fight him, we should let her, but not alone. In fact, I'd say it will take Guy and myself backing her up to stand a chance against him."

"That's impractical!" Will whispered fervently back. "Without the three of you, our chances of getting through unscathed are- "

"If only one of remains to fight him, we will be sure to lose." Lyn said calmly. "And we will not be coming back. The choice is yours, Will."

Karel eyed them as they made their silent exchange. As if on cue, he spoke. "I wish to fight the strongest swordsman you have. Let me test if your group can sate my hunger."

Will growled. It was an unfavorable situation no matter which choice he made. He glanced at Hector and Eliwood, who both looked to him for guidance. So, the choice really was his to make. "Lyn, Guy, Karla. Stay here and keep him busy. We've got a priest to find. The moment we do, we'll return for you, with reinforcements."

"Got it." Guy said, drawing his sword.

"Of course." Lyn agreed, doing the same.

"Fine. I'm not so foolish as to deny an order." Karla agreed, though much more begrudgingly than the other two. "It merely shows how weak I truly am."

"Good." Karel said, a small smile appearing on his face. "I look forward to the feast."

"Come on." Will said to the others. "We've got to keep moving."

As Will, Eliwood, Hector, Serra, Bartre, Matthew and Leila made their way deeper into the fort, they did their best not worry too much about the three they had left behind. However, things were about to get much more interesting very quickly. The group came upon a surprising sight: a group of guards who were already slain, lying collapsed in the snow.

"What is this?" Eliwood mused. "Dissent in the ranks?"

"No, nothing so fortunate, I'm afraid." Leila said, examining the bodies. "All these guards were killed in the same way. A large hand placed over the mouth to prevent screaming, and a swift stab to the heart from behind."

"Cold and calculated, but a favored tactic by spies and soldiers." Matthew agreed. "Whoever did it is a master, in some aspects."

"But they clearly don't care about getting caught, either." Leila muttered. "Otherwise, why leave the bodies for all to see?"

"With the snow, the blood would've been hard to hide, considering the depth of the snow, wouldn't it?" Matthew argued.

"Even so, for any spy, the time spent hiding the corpses would've been- " Leila argued.

"Enough you two, the reason they didn't hide it is because they wanted to be found." Will said, cutting them off. "Look over here."

Inside a small roofed area, several other corpses were strewn about. "So the fight started with a few stealth kills before turning into a knock-down drag out brawl, did it?" Hector mused.

"This brutality…" Eliwood shook his head. "I cannot find it in me to condone it, even though they are our enemies."

Several limbs were clearly severed from the bodies, and a few faces were unceremoniously smashed in. It was quite disgusting, all things considered. "That priest has his work cut out for him already." Will sighed. "The person who did this is out for blood and little else."

"Could it have been that swordsman?" Serra asked.

"No. Firstly, He wanted to challenge only our swordfighters. Secondly, he did not sneak up on us, but waited for us to come to him." Will said. "I get the feeling stealth is considered beneath him."

"No good or bad when you're dead." Matthew whistled.

"Sacaen pride, no doubt." Will continued. "But I think we should simply accept this as a stroke of good fortune and move to take that priest from the board. That way, we can inform the others."

"Safest plan." Eliwood agreed.

"Oh? So here you are." A voice made the group spin quickly. "How delicious. My blade will feast well tonight, won't it?" A man with shaggy hair and a bloodthirsty glint eyed them hungrily. "Were you the ones who gave me this mess to clean up?"

"No, that was I." A hoarse voice spoke from just behind a pillar the group had failed to scout while trying to discern the reason for the massacre. "I knew killing cronies was bound to bring the larger ballistae my way."

"Hah!" The man chuckled. "There are some nasty ones mixed in here, aren't there. Mustn't get one of them, no. Might ruin my sword's appetite. I prefer pretty little things." He eyed Serra happily.

Serra shuddered. Hector moved in front of her, whether by chance or with intent they couldn't be sure, but this man singling out their healer was not going to happen.

"You have beautiful skin." The assassin chuckled. "If I sliced you into lovely red ribbons with my faithful companion, would the pieces be as soft and delicate as silk?"

"No reason to treat with a madman." Hector growled, prepping Wolf Beil.

"Stay out of my way." The hoarse voiced man threatened, preparing an axe of his own. The glint of pure silver aught their eye. His bloodshot eyes, haggard appearance, and tattered clothing did little to support the image, but still a question sprung to Eliwood's mind.

"Sir Harken?" He asked tentatively.

The man turned, ever so slightly, to look Eliwood in the eye. "No." He said firmly. "Only a dead man."

The assassin laughed gleefully. "Lord Nergal knows how much I love to slice through people! He lets me do it as often as I want, which really is all the time, if I'm being completely frank. He's after something called 'Quintessence.'"

"You know of- " Will began.

"Don't care!" The assassin cut him off. "As long as he keeps bringing me people to slash and cut! As long as he satiates my hunger! I am Jerme, the finest assassin the Black Fang will ever know! Now come! My blade hungers!"

"We'll handle this." Eliwood said to Will. "You defeat the man handling the barrier.

"Matthew, Leila, Bartre, you're with me." Will said calmly. "Let's go."

"I told you you're not needed here." Harken growled.

"I refuse to leave you to fight alone." Eliwood declared. "It is not the way of my father."

"I'll keep Serra safe." Hector said. "He's all yours. Don't mess it up."

"You got it." Eliwood smiled softly.

"Fine, but don't get in the way." Harken sighed.

Karla's blade scrapped against Karel's as she snarled in a rage. She had trained for so long, so hard to find him. She was supposed to be the one to –

"Weak." His answer. He pushed her away with the ease of a babe. As he always did. She tumbled away, and as she did so her elbow hit a stone and she heard something crack. She cried out in pain, dropping her sword before quickly grabbing it with her left hand instead. No, it wasn't broken, but something in her arm didn't feel right.

"Stand back." Guy said. "It's no use forcing yourself if you're injured."

Karla growled again. "You should know why this is my responsibility."

"I do." Guy said. "But I have also agreed to follow Will's company. And as long as I am bound by that promise, his first rule trumps even my own."

"His rule?" Karla asked.

"No dying." Lyn said. "Not if there is any other option."

Karla realized the truth behind Lyn's words. While she normally would not step in on this sacred ground, because Karla was weak… because she would lose to her brother, it was their obligation now to step in. It didn't make the news hurt any less. Her pride as a Sacaen was stamped on this day.

Guy stepped up. "Lyn, I know your blade is sharper than mine, but could I try my hand next?"

Lyn nodded. "As long as you understand the terms."

"I'm aware." Guy said.

Drawing his Killing Edge, Guy approached the hill Karel awaited them on. "I respect your courage." Karel said. "though if all three of you had come at me I would not have minded."

"You are Sacaen as well, are you not?" Guy asked. "Then you know why we must rise to this challenge alone."

"Perhaps I was, once." Karel said simply. "No longer can that term be applied to me."

"We'll see." Guy smirked, taking his stance. He raised his blade in front of him, choosing to take a defensive grip with both hands. He was already outclassed, seeing Karel fight Karla taught him as much. But he had to find out how far he was from the monster before him. Karel raised his blade, in the single grip stance familiar to those of Sacae. However, he also raised his free hand, forming a straight hand just below his chin. What was that for? Surely he didn't intend to use it. In a sword fight, leaving a hand free was asking it to be cut off.

Karel awaited him. Guy knew it. So, he moved first. Stepping in, he swung quickly and fiercely to Karel's head. With the grace of a master, Karel stepped aside. As he did so, his free hand tapped the flat side of Guy's blade, sending it further aside than he had been expecting. Guy recovered quickly, throwing out a kick with his left leg as he spun away. Karel smiled slightly. The kick wasn't even in distance, as Karel hadn't moved in to attack. "Caution. Good. But not enough desire to kill."

Guy charged. His second strike was a belly swipe, letting go of the blade and swiping with only one hand. It was fast, but once again Karel danced out of reach. Karel then quickly closed the distance between the two of them, kneeing Guy in the stomach. Guy choked, but managed to swing his blade again. However, this seemed to be exactly what Karel had wanted. Now that he was in distance, any attack Guy initiated was within his realm of expertise. His blade met Guy's, easily overpowering the younger Sacaen and batting it back. His free hand punched Guy in the gut, before his sword came back and swiped quickly, leaving a nasty gash on Guy's arm.

Guy stumbled back, but the battle was over. He hadn't even lasted a minute. "This is your limit." Karel said simply. "Now stand aside."

Guy, ashamed of himself, did so. Lyn, who had her eyes closed during the fight, opened them. Inside them, Karel could see the fire he was looking for. The swordsmen who were always the biggest challenges were the ones he couldn't read. Revenge, testing oneself, these were easily understood and defeated opponents. People bent on revenge always prioritized offense. Those looking to test themselves often underestimated their skill, resulting in defensive stances that were full of openings to exploit. However, her eyes…

"What do you fight for?" Karel asked curiously.

"I'll not give you my one advantage." Lyn said calmly. The Mani Katti shone quietly in her hands as guy staggered back, allowing her to step up to the hill to face the Sword Demon. "Forgive my impertinence."

Karel shook his head. "No such thing exists in the world of blood." He raised his sword into his fighting stance, a strange mirror of Lyn's own.

Lyn raised the Mani Katti, taking a deep breath. She needed all her wits about her. Karel struck first, much to her surprise. Perhaps his eagerness for the fight had overtaken his assurance while fighting Karla and Guy. He swung for her sword arm, which she blocked quickly. He spun, bringing the blade with him to attack her other arm within a second. Once more, she met his blade with her own, the steel ringing loudly in the afternoon air. Lyn went on the attack, raising her blade and thrusting straight for Karel's abdomen. Karel's Blade smacked her own towards the ground to prevent the blow, but it gave her distance from Karel. "No hesitation." Karel mused.

"When I must." Lyn answered the unasked question. She lunged, aiming for Karel's hip. He stepped back and away from her lunge, but she attacked a second time, lunging for his opposite hip. He sidestepped again, and swung his own blade to strike her. His arms were longer, so she was in distance for him the moment she attacked. However, Lyn slid under his blade, before kicking his ankle with her left leg. He winced in pain for the first time, but retaliated with a swift kick to her chest. Lyn fell flat on her back, but before the pain sat in she had leapt back onto her feet, sword at the ready.

Karel's ankle throbbed angrily. Should the fight continue, he would most certainly win, and yet… He glanced at Lyn, panting heavily as she avoided clutching at her aching breast. "The Black Fang is trying to gather recruits. I came here to hone my blade on them."

Lyn looked at the Swordsman, confused by his words.

"My sword… The Wo Dao is my life. My sword is my reason to fight." Karel explained, though Lyn wasn't sure she understood what he was explaining. His ideology? "You are truly beautiful."

"Pardon?" Lyn asked suspiciously. "I already – "

"Your blade and mine are different, yet your swordplay is truly beautiful." Karel nodded. "I will join you."

"What?" Lyn yelped, surprised. "You're going to help us? Why?"

"Someday, you will be a swordfighter renowned throughout the land." Karel chuckled. "Losing you here would be a waste. I must first see you… stronger. I am a patient man. That time will come eventually, and until then I will amuse myself in other ways."

Lyn was silent. She knew that she couldn't win a fight against him, most likely. The ache in her chest after that kick told her as much. This man did not hold anything back. If he was choosing to be their ally, instead of an enemy, Will would…

"Shall we adjourn?" Karel asked. "The feast awaits."

"Come on." Lyn said to Guy and Karla. "Let's catch up with the others."

Even if the other two had their concerns, they also remained silent.

"You're a knight of Pharae, aren't you?" Eliwood asked. He leapt back, avoiding the slash from Jerme's daggers. The man was determined, if nothing else. Harken's axe fell with a resounding thud, but Jerme had backed away just in time to avoid a fatal injury. "I heard all my father's men had fallen defending him!"

Harken growled. "They did." He affirmed.

Eliwood closed his eyes for a brief moment before raising his rapier to redouble his assault. Jerme threw a dagger, no doubt poisoned, at Eliwood's face but Harken's shield knocked the dagger away. Eliwood was glad to see the man he knew was not entirely gone. "Why didn't you return to Pharae?"

"I failed." Harken said simply. Jerme's anger at failing to get the men out of his way seemed to be growing, which was the opportunity Eliwood had been waiting for. "My duty was to protect your father, Lord Elbert. Under my care, Lord Elbert was captured and tortured, until his death at Nergal's hand. I'm only alive because I fled in shame at the cost of my fellows."

"So they sacrificed themselves so try and get a message to us." Eliwood said sadly.

"By the time I commandeered a ship and returned to port, the journey of your party had already spread. Lord Elbert was…" Harken trailed off as he bashed Jerme with his shield, sending the assassin reeling back from an attack.

"It makes sense. My father would only have obeyed Nergal to protect his subjects. The reason he was so much more aggressive towards Nergal was…" Eliwood trailed off. "No, that's not entirely true. My father seemed to think Nergal needed to be stopped at all costs."

"He's not wrong." Harken said. His axe hilt smacked into Jerme's face as the man approached again, attempting to cut the wrist where Harken held the shield. "But I am no longer worthy of the honor of being a Knight of Pharae."

Eliwood lunged suddenly, stabbing Jerme's through the chest. The man gave a surprised, guttural groan before he keeled over. His insanity aside, he was hardly as dangerous as he had claimed. Now that their opponent was defeated, Eliwood faced the former knight. "Harken…"

Harken's voice, already hoarse, cracked with pain as he recalled the memory. "Before Nergal's magic, we were annihilated!" He shouted. "We were powerless!" His axe fell into the snow as he covered his face in shame. "When I heard you had already attacked the Dread Isle, that Lord Elbert was dead

and Nergal escaped… I knew I had to find him. I scoured the continent, searching for any clue, any sign. Bern has long been rumored to be The Black Fang's roost. With what life is left in me, I will hound them to their ends."

"And that search brought you here…" Eliwood muttered. He was still having difficulty accepting the man before him was the Harken he remembered. Harken had always been clean shaven, well-mannered and caring to others. The man that stood before him was broken, scraggly blonde fuzz covering his chin and lips, hair long and unkempt. Even his armor, so cleanly polished before, had several dents and worn out holes in it. It hurt. Almost as much as seeing his father die before him. "Harken, come with us."

"I would rather die a knight then live in shame." Harken replied.

"Do you think my father would want that?" Eliwood asked. He knew it was underhanded, calling on the dead, but he needed his father's strength at this moment. "No. Neither he nor I would condone such a senseless death. Help me fulfill my father's one ambition and restore peace."

Harken paused. He closed his eyes, long since dried of tears he could no longer shed, despite the desire. Eliwood was headstrong, and would likely do anything to stop him. Not only that, but he was also… correct. Harken wished he could cry. "My life is yours, lord. May it serve you better than it served your father."

"Thank you, Harken." Eliwood said with a smile. "We've had enough sadness. It's time for us to bring joy. Isadora will be glad to hear you still live."

Harken pursed his lips. "That is… not a conversation I look forward to."

Eliwood seemed confused, but feigned understanding. "Let's go. Hopefully Will's job is almost complete."

The priest known as Kenneth fired a shine blast at the intruders. The tactician, quite useless in a fight, barely dodged to the side. The one that concerned him was the axe fighter. His own enchanted cloak blocked the tactician's tiny fireballs with ease. However, this did not protect him from the simple axe. It annoyed him that despite the man's hulking side, he seemed rather capable at avoiding blasts of magic.

"Magic man hurt Bartre last time!" Bartre laughed triumphantly. "Bartre not make that mistake again!"

"Wait, now he's referring to himself in the third person?" Will asked, confused. "I'm pretty sure he's never done that before!"

"Maybe he gets dumber by the day instead of smarter?" Matthew chuckled from the shadows.

"Who's there?" Kenneth caught the thief's quip and fired a merciless blast of light in his direction. Matthew, grinning, used his dagger to block the light blast, causing a sharp flash as he did so. Kenneth closed his eyes momentarily, and felt another dagger plunge into his throat.

"Right on time, Leila." Will sighed in relief.

"First fight in a while." Leila mused. "Not quite as rusty as I expected."

"Does this…" Kenneth spluttered. "Mean I… lose?"

No one bothered to answer him as he fell to the ground, lifeless. Without sparing a moment, Will dashed outside and sent up the signal, the biggest fireball he could muster. As he did, he could see Eliwood and Lyn's group both heading towards him. Strangely, both the swordsman and the hoarsely voiced man accompanied each group.

"He's asked to join us." Lyn explained with a shrug. "I thought you'd rather have him on our side."

"You're not wrong." Will agreed.

"I have agreed to serve Lord Eliwood once more." The hoarse man said, bowing low. "I place myself at your disposal. My name is Harken."

"Nice to meet you." Will said, extending a hand. Harken took it, though Quickly released it after a single shake.

The sword demon smiled. "I will refrain from such formality."

Will smiled sheepishly. "Got…cha."

"Everyone is being driven mad by Nergal." Eliwood said. "Those people were more dangerous in their insanity than in an actual fight."

"I have no doubt they enjoy torture more." Will said. "They won't be returning to the earth anytime soon."

"It must be terrifying." Lyn said sadly. "To lose yourself entirely… To fall under the sway of Nergal's power…" She spotted something behind Will. Something Matthew was holding gleefully in his hands. "What's that?"

"The Fire Emblem." Matthew said.

"That man I killed had it on him." Leila explained. "Arrogance, not to hide it away."

"Let's not waste our good fortune then." Lyn said. "We need to get back to the palace."

"Right." Eliwood agreed. "Let's regroup, and then quickly make way for the manse! We have to stop the prince's assassination!"

"It's going to be a rough journey." Will muttered. "I only hope we make it in time."

Sonia crossed her arms impatiently under her impressive bosom. "You know your role, yes? The plan must be carried out tonight."

Nino nodded enthusiastically. She played with her skirt as she eyed her mother shyly. "Mother… just once… if only for a little while… may I… hold your hand?"

Sonia sighed. "Nino, you know I abhor such displays."

"I know!" Nino said quickly. "But I… might not get another chance… so I thought…"

Sonia sighed again. Dealing with the child truly was a trial of patience put upon her by Lord Nergal. However, at this time, there was no harm in humoring her. "Very well." Nino gasped in surprise. "IF you complete this mission, I'll hold your hand as often as you like." Sonia relented. "I may even permit a hug."

"Really?" Nino asked excitedly. "Then I have to do my best! I will, I will! I will succeed! Wait for me, okay Mother?"

"I will." Sonia said wryly. "Be careful."

"I'll be back!" Nino waved excitedly, before hurrying out of sight.

Jaffar moved to follow her. "A moment, Jaffar." Sonia said, holding up her hand. Jaffar did as he was told. "For tonight's mission…" She trailed off.

"What is it?" Jaffar asked softly.

"The assassination is a direct request from the King. The prince is well loved, so his death may trigger a large amount of chaos. If the assassin is not caught and hung immediately, chaos could engulf Bern. The King understood this, and also requested we provide the scapegoat for him." She chuckled. It would be fine if Bern fell into chaos, in her opinion, but this way was better for her. "Do you understand?"

"Understand what?" Jaffar asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice.

"Once you've killed the prince, you are to kill Nino." Sonia declared.

"What?" Jaffar said, his voice actually projecting for a change. "But she's your- "

"She is trash." Sonia said, crossing her arms dismissively. "Garbage. Human refuse. I've had difficulty even finding a use for her. She did say she would do anything to please her loving mother, did she not?" Sonia giggled. "Her death will please me more than her living ever did." Jaffar said nothing, only looking at the woman with a look that she did not appreciate. "Do you have something to say?"

Jaffar remained silent for a moment, before he spoke, his voice even and calm once more. "This… has nothing to do with me."

Sonia frowned. Better to be sure of his loyalty. "Lord Nergal found you as an orphan. He chose you because of your callous heart and your skill with a blade. However, Lord Nergal does not give second chances. Don't forget."

Jaffar nodded, before following after the excited child. This night was to be one of tragedy. He was all too familiar with the scene.