One year has passed since that battle, everyone live a peaceful life. But something evil, old and new enemies, try to once again destroy the humanity. The heroes will fight again, this time with new allies and not in Elibe. Friendship and love.

Nergal Plan

Somewhere in Bern, an old mansion was hidden in forest depth. The mansion was really creepy, old and dirty, and very dark inside. Surely Reina would hate this place, this place was perfect as a hideout for criminal or spy from any countries. But, this time wasn't criminal or spy who hide here but two suspicious men. They didn't look like any normal criminal, anyone could tell they had dangerous aura. Of course they were, they were professional assassins, two ex-Black Fang. They walked through the dark corridor and entered a room, inside that room was two beds and a table full with many things.

"Our preparation is complete.", a man spoke to his subordinate. One had his face hidden behind a mask and the other had scar in his left eye.

"Good, our...I mean his plan is perfect.", the masked man answered. "We will kill our target for sure.".

"When we make a move? I think tomorrow is a perfect time.", the other man gave him a letter.

He took it and opened it, he walked near a torch so he could read the letter. After few minutes, he took a map and opened it. His friend was waiting when he examined the map.

"Tomorrow isn't our best chance. We will move this evening. Our spy will take the guard duty in this place today.", his finger pointed to a X mark in map. "We will enter from here and kill quickly."

"When King Desmond dead, Bern will fall to uproar. That is our chance to accomplish our mission.", the other man smiled.

"You have it, don't you?", the masked man asked in a serious tone.

"Don't worry.", the other man took a dagger from his waist. "This dagger is made in Etruria and have Etruria symbol. According to the plan, we must leave it beside his corpse.".

The dagger was well-made. The Etruria best metal was forged to a sharp and elegant dagger with ruby and diamond attached on it. Usually, only Etrurian noble had this dagger although they never used it, the dagger was a symbol of nobility and blessed by the church. If anyone found this dagger beside King Desmond corpse there will be a misunderstanding. Bern would take Etruria as their enemy, and maybe a big war between Bern and Etruria would happen.

"Perfect.", the masked man patted his friend's shoulder. "If we success here, our lord will be the ruler of this world."

Both of them talked to each other, they talked about the prize for their job and their plan. They didn't realized, someone was eavesdropping them, or maybe they pretended to. Two people hide in the darkness, they watched the two assassins in silent. They knew who they are. Both of them were ex-Black Fang, the masked man was Rikimaru and well-known as Black Reaper because he never failed in his mission and killed all his targets. The other man with scar in his left eye was Crow, he used a pair of stell claw as his weapon. When Black Fang was defeated by Eliwood and his friends, they survived and escaped. Their whereabouts were unknown until now, Jaffar said maybe they were killed by Nergal. Everyone agreed with that because the survived Black Fang members were already killed by Nergal.

"This is bad. I never want to fight them, they are very deadly opponent.", Legault whispered to Mathew.

"Me too.", he agreed. "In the last fight, they gave us hard time, Guy was badly injured back then"

"They will move soon. We must act now. Are you ready?", Legault eyes focused to the two assassins, he unsheathed his sword. Mathew nodded and gripped his twin dagger tightly.

"We can win if we attack now."

Both of them prepeared to charge anytime but...

"Enough with our little drama, we have guest.", Rikimaru took his sword.

"So you already know huh?", Crow licked his steel claw. Then he closed the door behind him.

Mathew and Legault surprised, they planned to attack when their enemy was careless. But Rikimaru and Crow already discovered them and walked toward them with frightening killing aura. That aura was a proof how deadly their skill, one year ago Mathew watched Rikimaru had a duel with Eliwood and Crow fought Guy, that was enough for him to know that his opponent was dangerous. Now they cornered, as a spy Mathew used to experience many dangerous situations, but he never was discovered by anyone inside a room without an exit. He and Legault slowly stood and prepared for a fierce battle. Legault same as Mathew, it was his first time trapped in this situation.

"Bad luck, aren't we?", Legault smirked. "But how do you know about us?".

"You forget to close the door my friend. We always close that door.", Rikimaru pointed his sword toward them. "And my eyes are sharp like eagle."

"Damn. Now we are cornered.", Mathew tried to find a way to escape. But he couldn't find any except he and Legault must defeated their opponent.

"How do you want to die? I want to cut your throat.", Crow crossed his claws in front of his chest. His eyes was full with bloodlust.

"Thank you, but I must refuse.", Legault answered.

"Wait, I recognize you, you are Legault an ex-Black Fang like us. Why are you here?", Rikimaru recognized Legault.

"Yes, I am Legault.", he answered.

"Hahahahahaha.", Rikimaru laughed. "Stand aside Crow, I want to fight the Hurricane from Black Fang.".

"It is a long time since someone call me with that name.", Legault gripped his sword tightly, he knew this battle wouldn't be an easy battle.

"So? I will play with this little kid? This is boring.", Crow walked toward Mathew who already took a battle position.

"You call me what!!!", Mathew felt angry.

In an instant, four of them fought each other. The two assassins was very formidable opponents, their movement was swift and deadly. Rikimaru and Legault fought like a dance, they dodged every attack and strike back to their opponent, Mathew could match Crow's speed but the weapon difference made Mathew in losing state, Crow's attack range was wider than Mathew. Anybody knew Mathew and Legault was skilled fighter, but their opponents were more skilled than them. Slowly but sure, they were cornered by their opponent. Mathew felt his chest scratched by Crow's claws. Blood poured from that wound. His adrenaline rushed by the smell of his blood and he attacked Crow wildly with his dagger. Unfortunately his attack never reached Crow. Legault condition didn't better than Mathew, his left leg already wounded. Rikimaru stabbed him in that place, that wound decreased his movement speed. For an assassin, speed was their best weapon and if you lose it, you should lose your chance to win. Aware at their condition, their enemy continued to attack them.

It was twenty minutes since the fighting take place. Now, the assassins cornered Mathew and Legault. Our two heroes were injured badly, Mathew body was covered with scratch and Legault got a wound in his leg.

"Tired already, you two aren't fun at all.", Crow smirked.

"It is bad.", Mathew breathed heavily. His body was injured everywhere, blood dropped from his wounds.

Legault knew Mathew tried to stand desperately, he got too much blood loss. "At least one of us must escape to tell the other.", he think. Then he looked to Mathew and said two words.

"GET READY"

He charged toward the two assassins. Surprised at first Rikimaru and Crow attacked Legault together. In an instant, Rikimaru's sword and Crow's claw stabbed his body. He was lucky, their attack didn't hit his vital spot. He coughed in blood but smiled, his plan was success, his hand held a pouch full with weird powder and he threw it to the assassins' eyes.

"Aaaargh!!! What the hell is this!!!", both of them screamed when the powder blinded their eyes.

Mathew surprised with Legault action and couldn't do anything but stared at Legault dying body.

"Ma-ath--hew g-go no-w.", Legault couldn't speak clearly.

"You idiot!!!", Mathew ran toward Legault body and carried him in his back. "Don't try anything stupid like that!".

When he wanted to go outside Rikimaru shouted, "Don't think you can escape!". Then he opened his mask, because of his mask not all powder entered his eyes and he still can see a little.

Mathew ran as fast as he could and Rikimaru pursued him. Although he carried the unconscious Legault, Mathew could run very fast and he reached the forest. Rikimaru still pursued him with his half-blinded eyes, he took out his dagger and threw it to Mathew. That dagger pierced Mathew's leg, he lost his balance and fell to the ground.

"Ouch! What the hell!", he pulled out the dagger from his leg. But he never had a chance to stand up because Rikimaru already stood in front of his eyes. Still half-blind Rikimaru raised his sword and ready to strike.

"Will I die here?", Mathew closed his eyes.

Suddenly he heard sound of arrows and sound of arrows piercing human body. When he opened his eyes, he saw Rikamaru stood with at least five arrows piercing his body, he didn't move and maybe dead. Then he looked back and saw Wil and Rebecca, they were finished firing their arrows. He felt relieved for a second but then he saw Rikimaru move toward him.

"I-It can't be.", Rikimaru still alive and ready to stab Mathew. "At lea-ast y-you must g-go with me to h-hell.". He tried to kill Mathew, Mathew tried to stand but he couldn't because his wound. CLASH!!! Rikimaru's head flying to air, blood sprouted from his headless neck. His corpse fell to the ground, in his side Karla sheathed her sword.

"Damn, that close.", Mathew sighed and then he remembered. "Legault!".

"Don't worry. He is fine.", Karla patted Mathew's shoulder. "He still alive.".

"Healer! Come here quickly!", Sain shouted and then few healers came to heal Legault.

Someone watched them, he was Crow. He couldn't see well but he knew Rikimaru was dead, his corpse lying in ground. And also, he knew he was outnumbered so he prepared to run.

"I must do the mission myself.", he ran through the shadow. "I will kill them next time.".

(-)

Holding a crossbow, someone aimed to Ephraim through a window. Hiding behind a tree, he held his breath and focused on his target. His target was still talking with his sister and his guests, guest from another continent named Elibe. He made sure no one noticed him and waited for Ephraim got near to the window. After few minutes his target walked near the window, without hesitation he fired.

(-)

CRASH!!! Sound of broken glass, the window was pierced by an arrow. Everyone in that room, Eirika, Eliwood, Hector, and especially Ephraim shocked when an arrow pierced the Renais king's shoulder. Ephraim screamed in pain and fell to the floor.

"Brother!!! Ephraim!!!", Eirika screamed in fear.

"Healer! Hector call Priscilla or another healer! Hurry!", Eliwood shouted.

The assassin surprised, in the moment he fired his crossbow someone threw a dagger to him and that dagger successfully stabbed his arm. That cause his aim was missed, his arrow failed to pierce his target's head. He looked back and saw a man was running toward him, he had a Silver Sword in his hand. He jumped down from the tree and ran quickly. But....

"You can't escape!", another man stood in his way. He held a Killing Edge in his hand.

"Good Jaffar! Don't let him escape!", Raven still running behind that assassin. "He is mine!"

Couldn't run anywhere the assassin unsheathed his sword and faced Raven. Their sword clashed, Raven swung his sword strong enough to throw his opponent against the wall. But the assassin quickly regained his composure after that surprise attack and charged to Raven. For the second time their sword clashed and they began their sword battle. After few attacks, the assassin was overwhelmed by Raven swordplay and got his sword slipped from his hand after blocked strong slash from Raven. Found an opening, Raven punched his opponent and pushed him against the wall. His sword stabbed the assassin's right shoulder so he couldn't run, his hand grabbed the assassin's neck.

"Aaargh!!!", the assassin screamed in pain.

"Speak or DIE.", Raven spoke to his captive.

"What is that sound!", Seth and Franz arrived in hurry.

"..........", Jaffar didn't reply. He just nodded to Raven.

"This man can answer that, except he don't want to live.". Raven spoke in his cold tone.

(-)

"What is this???", Innes and Reina saw Ephraim lying in floor, his cloth was soaked with blood.

"Brother! Answer me please!", Eirika held her brother.

"Urgh...I-I am alright Eirika.", Ephraim answered calmly. "Just my shoulder.".

Eliwood stood near the window, he saw Raven was fighting someone. Then, he looked to Eirika, she was crying. He felt his heart ache, but why? Maybe because he didn't want see her tears. He approached her and patted her shoulder.

"Don't worry Eirika, soon Hector will bring healers.", he tried to comfort her.

'He is right Princess. Nothing will happen.", Reina also tried to comfort Eirika.

"Easy for you to say!", Innes shouted to them. "Ephraim! Don't you dare to die or I will kill you!".

"Stupid, I can't die two times.", Ephraim laughed. "Stop crying Eirika, I am alright.

"Bu-But...", Eirika erased her tears with her finger.

"Huff.", Ephraim sighed. "I am afraid this will happen, I am sure it is his plan.".

"His plan? He who start that war in Jehanna? Are you mean HIM.", Innes asked Ephraim.

"Yes.", Ephraim nodded and looked to Eliwood. "That man I mention before, that Nergal.".

Nergal, he planned something. What was he want? He planned to kill King Desmond from Bern and made a war between Bern and Etruria. And now, King Ephraim from Renais was his target, no one knew what was he thinking. His invisible string still moved every nation in both continent.

(-------)

Ok that is the sixth chapter, sorry I am late to publish it.