"Beyond the Dark..."

AU, Tactician-centric. Selfish-selfless plot. Rated T.

x+X+x

Summary: Nils would seal the portal and guard against the return of dragons to Elibe. However, the nations would not stand idly by while one with talent could be gained to aid them in their various designs. He could foresee only war if he stayed... And so he stepped through the portal before anyone could notice his absence and seek to stop him. This step could kill him, but at least he would give them a few years of peace...

x-X-X-x

It had finally ended; the pain and torment and struggling had finally given way to victory. Granted, there wasn't much in the way of fanfare - none of the companions had the strength yet to celebrate - but they had won! That was something to be grateful for, at the very least.

Teran stood off to the side, watching as the weary soldiers milled around their leaders. Hector and Eliwood stood conversing quietly, the young lord of Pharae standing with his arms wrapped around the dancer, Ninian. If camp gossip held true, the young lord would be taking the young woman back with him to his own lands. Given the way that she seemed to cling to Eliwood's side, Teran decided that the rumors would probably be proven true at this point.

Lyndis and her own retinue stood a small ways off from the other lords, while the young heiress took stock of their injuries. Kent was stoicly trying to stand and assist her, but was being held down by his boon companion. Apparently Sain felt that the loss of an arm was sufficient excuse for the crimson haired knight to rest from his duties. Lyndis seemed to agree with the sentiment; Kent frowned but returned to his seat without needing an anchor to keep him tied down.

Not quite inside the circle of Lyndis' followers, the three pegasus sisters held a loose embrace; both Farina and Florina fussing over their older sibling, who sat quietly and endured it with admirable patience. Fiora had been blinded by the touch of dragon fire to her face and though saved through the efforts of both Serra and Priscilla would never be able to ride as a mercenary again. She would have to rely on the same sisters that she'd grown up protecting.

All in all, it seemed that the battle was well and truly over. Teran relaxed, closing his eyes and taking a single deep breath.

The vision struck suddenly; images assaulted the young man's mind - images of war and blood, fire and depravity. Members of the company figured predominantly, each striving to protect what they held dear before the storm of a second war. In the vision, they all died.

The end of the vision left Teran trembling on hands and knees. The worst part of all that he had seen was that he was the critical component in each of his friends' deaths. His stomache turned and he vomitted over the stone floor. When his heaving finally subsided, he tried to comport his thoughts on the matter. Crawling shakily away from the remains of his breakfast, he took shelter by the side of one of the pillars.

He did not doubt the visions - his mother had both the gift and enough control to use it to earn a living telling fortunes - while both Ninian and Nils seemed to possess a similar talent that they had used to aid the company at various points in time. No one seemed to be looking his way despite the rather blatant display that he'd just put on. Teran closed his eyes again and struggled to compose himself.

He was the key to the next war. His friends would suffer if he did not do something to prevent it - that much was clear. But what could he do? He could not always avoid the agents of the powerful countries and he would not make any of his companions into a target by taking refuge with them.

Opening his eyes, he noted that Nils had closed with the lords and was now speaking with his sister.

Teran snapped to attention.

Quickly he scanned the area, looking to see if anyone was watching him. No one seemed to be taking any note of the lone male in a cloak. They were all busy, tending to the wounded and finalising whatever plans they had. Now would be the only chance that he would have, the only chance to take away the key to that awful future.

He stood silently, palm pressed against the roughened stone of the pillar. 'Deep breaths, breathe!'

As inobtrusively as possible he walked over to the glowing stone arch that radiated with magic. A quick look over his shoulder; no one has yet taken a second glance in this direction. Only a moment passes...

He lets his satchel with all of his prized observations regarding the war drop from his side. He will have no need of it where he is going.

Taking one last deep breath, he steps through the portal.

'This is such a suicidal move.'

x-X-x

There is a flurry of movements as Nils walks towards the portal. The younger dragon turns to give his sister one last smile and trips over something on the floor. Without losing his balance or composure, Nils turns and waves before entering the portal and sealing it from his side. The arch ceases to glow.

Matthew picks up the lone satchel from the front of the gate...

x-X-x

The company return to their own lands, determined to rebuild their lives and for the most part, successful. A few fade into obscurity, while others are hailed throughout the land.

As for the tactician? He was never seen those lands again. Some rumored that he had been spirited away by remnants of the Fang, others that he had been taken by the powers that be. The war that he foresaw did not come to pass; though another kindled in the offing, it would be several years before the plots of men and dragons again came to blows.

An uneasy peace settles on the lands of Elibe...

x+X+X+x

AN: The portal... is too, too convenient an excuse to pass up. Look for another drabble/oneshot coming out for this type of explanation for the tactician's disappearance. Kudos to those who understand the title reference.

BTW - if anything catches your fancy and spurs those creative juices... WRITE! Fire Emblem can use all the new tales that it can get. Of course, it had better be well written. The fandom deserves no less than our best effort (though the same could be said of fan- or any writing - as a whole...). Yes, I am shameless plugging for new stories to read.

And yes, the 'summary' is actually the plot prompt.