Chapter Two: Marshel's Aid

Marshel, the southern nation of Verias, home to the fearless and birthplace of great determination. Gannon, head of this nation, has had troops monitoring Shale's movements for quite some time. Even as Port Dias burned, two ships docked here. Leading the charge was the son of the lord of Marshel, known to all as Keyran. Known for his brilliant mind and tactical knowledge, he had but one flaw.

Keyran was dying. An illness that leaves him coughing up blood, he has been fighting this illness since he was little. His father, being too proud to accept aid from Naia the northern nation, has invariably signed Keyran's death warrant.

Still, even with knowledge of his coming end, the young prince finds himself fighting to help his friend and ally, Lissom. The only problem is that the Haddasian prince is not to be found. Gabriella, Lissom's sister, is also missing.

Keyran leaves the taking of Dias to his second in command, a Knight known as Jameson, and leads a search party to venture out into the sands of Haddas.

They did not have to look far in order to track the prince down. The tracks in the sand were easy enough to read, and they all seemed to be heading in one particular direction. The desert wind ruffled Keyran's snow white hair. Many had said that he looked like a ghost at night, with his pallor and hair. Even his eyes were colorless, they were soft silver orbs.

"They must be heading to the village of Thyra…" He said as he stood up from his crouching position. Many a time had he and Lissom adventured out into the sands, searching for imaginary treasure, fighting off invisible bandits. But that was years ago, but the memories were still fresh in Keyran's mind.

One of the two soldiers accompanying Keyran looked at him questioningly. She was a Myrmidon, a lithe wielder of the blade. "Sire, why are you so sure it's Thyra they're headed towards…?"

Keyran sighed and shook his head. "I am not one hundred percent certain, but there is only one village in this general location. Considering that he either fled or is unknowing of the fall of his kingdom, that is where he would go first, if he needed to stock up on supplies. Surely, Samsara, you should have known as such. Did you not remain awake during your geography classes?"

Samsara, the Myrmidon, flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "N-no…! I-I mean….um….well, yeah. They're way too dull!"

The other member of the search party burst out laughing. "Blimey, 'Sara! You? Sleep? Bwahahahaha! I'd pay to see that happen!"

"Shut up!"

"You know you love me, I know you do!"

Keyran motioned for them to quiet and they both quieted, looking at their prince in curiosity. "What in the name of all things holy…are those things…?" He was standing atop a sand dune in front of them and motioned for them to approach. As the two did, their jaws dropped slightly as they gazed upon corpses…that seemed to be moving of their own volition.

"Gaven! Do you know what these are?"

"I read only what I have…acquired. These things…they're from legends of yore. I…I cannot believe that they're here!"

Keyran drew his rapier with his left hand. "Can they be killed?"

"According to the book I have read, they are known as Revenants, basically the undead. They are strong, but they can be taken down."

"Then we attack."

Samsara turned to face her superior, her expression one of panic. "B-but…! Oh, FINE! Let us go fight undead creatures that are supposed to by MYTH!"

"I didn't say myth. They were around at the time of the Nightmare"

"Grrrr…Fine! Stupid thief! I'll accept your facts for now…if you're wrong about them being able to be defeated, I'll gut you!"

"Oooooh! Hear that, princey? She's gonna hurt me! I am so very, alarmingly frightened! I guess that I'll have to keep being truthful, huh?"

Keyran chuckled, but his amusement quickly turned into a series of coughs that wracked his whole body with twisting pain. He covered his mouth with his free gloved hand and muffled his coughs until they subsided a few moments later. He drew his hand away from his mouth, and the pale blue fabric was stained with his own blood.

Gaven frowned. "You really shouldn't be here; you know…fighting will worsen your condition."

Keyran smiled wanly. "I have to fight. My friend is in trouble…hmm? Wha? You two! Look toward the front of the ranks! That figure…!"

"Bloody hell! That's him! Why's he alone?"

"He's buying time for the village, perhaps. Does it even matter? You two, let us show those monsters how unwelcome they are here!"

Keyran's comrades nodded and the three charged down the dune with a battle cry, Keyran with his Rapier, Samsara with her Slim Sword, and Gaven with his Iron Blade.

Noir started when he heard a yell from the direction of the Revenants. He frowned, unknowing of the happenings of what was going on at the moment. He felt a tugging on his sleeve and scowled. "What is it, brat?" He growled.

Gabriella, uncaring of the foul mood the Summoner was in, tugged on his sleeve once more. "Aile! I know those people! They're from Marshel!"

Noir chuckled, delighted. His brother, the head of Shale, would have a blast with this unexpected surprise. Marshel's soldiers were known for being some of the finest in all of Verias. "Good for them…why does it matter, anyway? They're committing suicide, fighting those things like that…"

"Then help them! I know you can, so please, help them!"

Noir grinned. "What's in it for me?"

"What?"

"You heard me! What do I get in return for helping them?"

"What do you want, Aile?"

"Oh, the usual. Gold and such."

Gabriella stamped her feet angrily, grinding her heel into the toe of Noir's sandals. Noir winced and tried to pull away, but she kept the pressure on until he relented. "You win…but this time only! Next time you will have to pay me! Now, Gabriella…be my eyes!"

The princess smiled impishly, knowing that she had gotten what she had wanted.

She grabbed hold of Noir's sleeve and took off running, practically dragging her newfound protector behind her.

Lissom heard a yell and strained his eyes to see through the crowd of Revenants. Unable to see the source of the shouting, he shrugged and turned his attention to the twisted corpse of his father. The corpse was loosely grasping a blade which when he was alive, had on his person at all times. It was the Silver Blade, gleaming in the moonlight like a shard of a star that had somehow fallen to the earth in its purest form.

Lances…lances beat swords! It doesn't matter how strong the sword is, a lance can beat it every time! Lissom thought to himself as he lunged forward, jabbing at his opponent with his Iron Lance. His lance bit into flash and punched through the corpse, but there was no reaction to the wound that had been given. He withdrew his lance and jumped to the side as his father wildly swung his Silver Blade at him. The strike was swift, despite the deceptively slow movements of the corpse. The blade caught Lissom across the chest, caving in the armor that protected him from the killing force of the blow.

The wind almost knocked out of him, Lissom backed up. He looked at his lance, gasping for air. He muttered a few words under his breath and launched himself up into the air, holding the lance with both hands as he came down, the lance pointing at his father. The moonlight glinted off the lance, and then vanished as it was absorbed into the lance.

Light gathered at the end of the lance and it burst as Lissom impaled his father, the blow striking him where his heart would be. The armor his father wore absorbed some of the impact, but the power of Lissom's strike punched the lance through it with ease. With a wheeze that sounded like a sigh, Lissom's father fell to the ground, unmoving.

Coldly he withdrew the lance and closed his eyes. "My apologies…but it had to be done, father. You shall be buried in due…time." His voice wavered, but his resolve remained intact as he opened his eyes and looked across the sands. The Revenants, mostly unarmed, were making their slow way towards Thyra. He narrowed his eyes, his grip tightening on his lance once more, grasping it so tight that his knuckles split. The cool sensation brought relief to Lissom as he prepared to charge at his next foe.

"Did you wait long?" Clifton's voice called out, causing the Prince to turn. He shook his head in negation. "Not too long…for a moment, I thought I was going to have all the fun…"

"Good grief! What happened to your armor?" Helio exclaimed, his eyes widening. Lissom shrugged the concern away as he shook his head. He turned to face the crowd of undead. "Oh, nothing…what do you say that we get rid of these pests?"

Clifton and Helio nodded, grinning. Clifton hefted his Silver Sword as his horse pawed the sandy ground restlessly. Helio hopped off his horse and grasped his Javelin loosely. "If you fight on the ground, I'll do so as well, sire!" He stated with a grin. Lissom nodded and grinned back. "Let us fi—" He was interrupted as Lithia flew overhead. "Hey! There are some people fighting the Revenants at the rear of the group! We've got them pinned!" And with a salute of her Slim Lance, she flew back into the fray without waiting for a reply.

"This is good news!" Clifton shook his head in wonder.

"Well, we could stay here talking, or go out and aid them. Together, we fight!" Lissom replied and the three charged into battle. Muttering a couple of words, his left eye returned to its normal state.

Keyran ducked gracefully as the Revenant in front of him swung its axe wildly, Keyran's expression one of mild disinterest and restless impatience. He quickly retaliated with a couple slashes with his Rapier and moved on, uncaring if his foe still stood. His goal was to get to Lissom. Impatiently he slashed at a movement near him, and ended up locking blades with Gaven. "Lovely night, isn't it?" Gaven smiled cheekily, his dark brown hair trying to invade his clear blue eyes without success.

"Truly, it is indeed, good sir!" Keyran replied, mimicking Gaven's tone.

"Then I must bid you adieu. It was indeed an honor to meet you like this~" Gaven laughed heartily after giving a mocking bow, plunged back into combat with an actual foe. The prince chuckled and barely had time to drop to the ground as a large white object flew past him, charging into the ranks of monsters before rising up into the sky once more. He jumped back to his feet and heard the Pegasus Knight yell an apology as she circled in the air above him. He inclined his head and rushed the line once more. The ranks of the monsters were growing visibly thinner as he scanned the area. His eyes fell on Samsara, who was trying to fell three of the fiends at once. He changed his route and dashed in her direction, moving quickly through the gaps in the ranks of the enemy. He struck down one of the Revenants wordlessly. Samsara looked at him through the corner of her eye, seeing that he was holding up well, if not a little short of breath.

"You're faring well enough, I see…"

She saw a faint smile appear on Keyran's face. "Mhmm." He turned and attacked another monster with deadly efficiency. On the killing blow, however, they both heard an audible snap. About half of the length of Keyran's Rapier broke off, leaving him weaponless. He stared at it dumbfounded and backed away from an approaching foe. "Blast!" He cursed and he looked at Samsara. "Do you have any extra blades?" He nimbly dodged a axe strike.

Samsara nodded, finishing off her foe before turning to face him. She drew her other blade, an Iron Sword, and tossed it to him. "Catch!"

Keyran fumbled with the blade and it fell to the ground, and jumped after it. He grabbed the hilt and got to his feet, frowning slightly at the weight of his new weapon. He got over the feeling of having a different weapon and blocked an incoming attack. The impact jarred his arms, making them feel numb, but he shrugged that feeling away and turned to thank Samsara, but she had already moved on. The Revenants pulled away from the fighting and seemed to be clustering for one last charge. "I…I cannot relent now…!" He felt his throat tighten, foreshadowing a swiftly coming coughing fit. He hunched over, coughing into his hand once more, his body shuddering with each cough.

His attention to the surrounding area was lost, and he did not see an ominous figure walking toward him, garbed in black.

Suddenly a soft, yet caustic voice spoke. "Your vexatious coughing is incredibly annoying. Don't you have something better to do, such as fighting the enemy…?"

This….this MORON had to break my concentration with that idiotic hacking of his! Wish he'd just die already! That way, he'd SHUT UP! Noir's thoughts raged like a swarm of wasps. His concentration, which he had finally gained, had been broken by some man's coughing, and his tormentor, Princess Gabriella, nearly got killed because of that lapse.

"Don't get angry, Aile…he's always been like this. It's not his fault!" Gabriella's voice stated taking on a tone of worry. The coughing soon stopped, and a shaky voice called out. "G-Gabriella…? Thank the Gods you're alive!" Noir heard him sigh and felt the man's stare on him so, of course, he scowled. "Who's this…?"

Gabriella tugged annoyingly on Noir's right sleeve. "This is Aile! He saved me at Dias! Aile, this is Keyran, Prince of—"

"Marshel, I know. I recognize the name. Hmph. You should be resting, not fighting…"

"Do not tell me what I should and should not do. We must press onward, and finish off these…fiends"

"And you shall not give orders to—" He yelped as Gabriella warningly stomped on his feet once more. "Fine…Fine! I give up! What is your wish, my lord?" He hissed spitefully.

"I shall attack. Aile, you take Gabrielle to safety."

"No can do, Lord. I intend on fighting with you, even if it is just to annoy the hell out of you. Gabriella is my eyes at the moment…so we're all in this!" He replied with a shrug.

"…Fine. Let us attack at once, before they regroup."

"I swear…if you start coughing again…I'll use Nosferatu on you!"

"Mhmm…good luck with that."

And thus the trio harried the remaining Revenants.

"Blast! My precious puppets…they're nearly gone! I…I can't fail! They'll be sure to send…him…after me! I've got to win! I've got to win at all costs!" A shadowy figure whimpered in the darkness, away from the combat. He had animated the corpses like he had been told, and had attacked like he had been told…so why was he losing? The Tear of the Sun had been destroyed! He heard movement behind him and turned, his face draining of all color as he stared at the pale haired Swordmaster whom he had feared would come.

"It seems…that you will fail" The Swordmaster stated in a rather disgusted tone.

"P-please! Give me one more chance! I promise I'll succeed next time!"

There was a deadly quiet silence.

"You fully know what failure means to the Black Fang. There is no room for error, especially not for a bottom feeder like you"

"L-liam! Please! Don't do this! I-I can b ring your family back!"

"…delightful as that sounds, no one can truly bring back the dead. Just look at the corpses you control. I would not wish that for them."

"What If I told you that your daughter is alive?"

"You lie."

"Kill me and you will never find out!"

"I'll find her myself!" A wicked looking blade flashed through the air, cutting down the shadowy figure. The pale haired man turned, a scar could be seen on his face, crossing over his right eye. His expression turned thoughtful. "My daughter…alive? Could this filth…actually have been telling the truth?" He sighed and vanished into the night.

Before Lissom's group could finish the Revenants off, they all collapsed as if they were puppets whose strings had been cut. His expression one of purest confusion, Lissom looked around. Helio and Clifton were looking around, voicing their exclamations. Lithia gracefully landed, dismounting her Pegasus. She nearly sank to the ground in exhaustion.

"What the heck happened?" Lissom fell to the ground, on his back with a exhalation of breath he did not know he had been holding.

"…Lissom! Get up! You've got to see this!" Helio dragged a grumbling Lissom to his feet. Standing a little ways in front of them were five people approaching. His eyes focused on a shorter, slighter figure and his eyes widened; his heart beat quicker, hope rising within him. "Is that…?" He staggered forward and nearly fell, Clifton catching his arm, keeping him standing. Lissom mumbled noncommittally, his eyes only on the people ahead. The smaller figure saw him, perhaps, and took off running, dragging someone by the arm. Realization dawned on Lissom's face and he broke free of Clifton's helping hand and charged forward, flinging his lance to the side. He and his sister who he had thought dead stopped a couple feet from each other. Lissom fell to his knees his hands balling into fists in the sand as he silently wept, losing all composure. His sister, his dearest sister…was alive!

"B-brother! Why are y-you crying?"

"I-I'm just so…happy…I-I can't control myself!"

Gabriella laughed and hugged her brother, as tight as she could. "I'm so happy you're alive!"

Lissom winced as she hugged him tightly. "Gabby…you're choking me…" He wheezed. Gabriella released her embrace and saw her brother's mangled armor. "Ooh! That doesn't look very good!"

Her brother threw his head back and laughed. "Well, yeah…It doesn't feel very good, either!"

"Then why do you still have it on! Off with it! Now!"

"W-whoa! What are you?"

"What do you think? I'm helping you get it off!" She reached around him, untying the bindings of his breastplate. He eventually caught on and took it off, sighing in relief. "Geez…Why do you always mother me?"

"Because I can and will! You're my brother!"

A voice cut in on this reunion. "Gabriella…why did you drag me here just to hear such a sickening reunion? I swear, I'm going to vomit!"

Gabriella turned and glared at Noir. "Aile you idiot! Where would you know where to go if I didn't drag you?"

"What am I, a pet?"

"That's not a bad idea!"

"Umm…sister…? Who is this strange looking man?"

"Hmph! Strange? You're just as polite as your sister, I see!"

Gabriella looked at her brother, who was glaring at Noir, who was glaring back in Lissom's general direction. The two did not seem to 'hit it off' as she had hoped. She shrugged and opened her mouth to speak. "Aile, this is my brother, Prince Lissom of Haddas! Brother…this is Aile, who saved me at Dias and…I convinced him to protect me!"

"You utter tyrant of a girl! You left me with no other choices! You…you won't even pay me!" Noir's voice was plaintive.

Lissom got to his feet. "My sister is NOT a tyrant!" He growled.

"…You two. Cut it out now, if you please. Arguments are not good for one's health, especially after battle…" A soft voice cut through the loud voices with surprising clarity. Lissom turned and smiled. "Keyran! It's been a long time!" Keyran smiled back in return and nodded. "Truly, it has been, Lissom of Haddas. I suppose you also remember Samsara and Gaven…?" At his mentioning of them, they appeared at his side.

"Oh! Lance boy!"

Lissom's eyes narrowed at Samsara. "…You're the one who fell asleep in class all the time…"

"You want to fight? Bring it on!"

"I still have not had the pleasure of seeing Samsara's sleeping face…What a pity. I see you are doing quite well, Princey!" Gaven smiled cheerily.

"You again…?" Lissom sighed warily "You better not steal any more of my—"

"I assure you, I will not take anything belonging to you" Gaven gave an elegant bow with a flourish of his hand and grinned.

"Ugh…"

Extra: Support Conversations.

Thought I'd add a little fun by putting some in each chapter from here on out.

This chapter, the Support Conversations will be between Keyran and Lissom, as well as Samsara and Gaven. Enjoy!

Keyran and Lissom. C support.

Lissom: Keyran! How are you holding up, friend?

Keyran: I am well as of the moment, Lissom of Haddas. Your kindness heartens me.

Lissom: Don't be so formal! Remember all the adventure we had before…you know…it happened.

Keyran: You mean, before this illness came upon me? Yes, I do believe that I remember those…misadventures quite fondly, as I recall.

Lissom: Ugh! You always talked like that! Remember the time where I fell into quicksand?

Keyran: Heh…that was the time I saved you by fishing you out with some kind of thorned vine, was it not?

Lissom: …oh, yeah. It was? Yeah, it was! That hurt, you know!

Keyran: There was nothing else I could use. Besides, it hurt me as much as it hurt you, if not more. You were wearing gloves, at least. I had forgotten mine at Dias.

Lissom: Yeah…remember how angry our parents were at us?

Keyran: Mhmm…that part I remember not so fondly. We were…what was that term again? Ah, we were both reprimanded, but I have learned a valuable lesson from that experience.

Lissom: Yeah? What lesson was that?

Keyran: Always have gloves with you. And from that point on, I always had a pair with me at all times. In fact, I am wearing gloves now, it seems.

Lissom: …You really are too serious for your own good. It's not healthy.

Keyran: That it might be, but forgetting your strengths and weaknesses are detrimental to one's heath as well. The Captain of your Knights…Clifton…told me of how you tried to take down an axe wielder with a lance? That was very unintelligent of you, Lissom of Haddas.

Lissom: S-shut up! I can be as 'unintelligent' as I want! *he leaves*

Keyran: ….hmm. He has always been so reckless…perhaps I could learn a thing or two from him.

Samsara and Gaven. C support.

Gaven: Ah…Samsara. Every time my eyes lay upon your form, I am blinded by such exquisite beauty…

Samsara: What do you want, Gaven? You only flatter people when you want something…

Gaven: Oh, the beauty's coldness sets my heart aflame! Ahem…Do you perchance have a Vulnerary? I have been grievously injured and am in need of one, oh the moon and stars of my life!

Samsara: 'Grievously injured'? From what I see, 'tis not but a flesh wound! Since I'm in a relatively tolerant mood however, so here, take this. I always keep extra of them with me.

Gaven: Heavens bless thee fair maiden, and an angel of mercy you truly are! I thank thee for aiding me again and again! My reverence for you increases evermore! Know that I am truly devoted to your cause, milady…

Samsara: You should seriously learn keep some with you, Gaven. I swear, this is the fifth time this has happened. Don't you learn?

Gaven: Alas, how else would I get a chance to speak with a goddess such as yourself? I bask in the presence of such integrity!

Samsara: Now you're just making fun of me! I'm not a good person, and you know it!

Gaven: Such modesty! Ah…parting with you tears my heart in pieces, but I must return to battle. I shall strike down all my foes in your name!

Samsara: Hehehehe….go, then! You're making me laugh!

Gaven: Samsara…?

Samsara: Yes?

Gaven: Thank you. *He bows, then leaves*

Samsara: He's impossible to understand, that man…Ugh!