Sorry everyone for not updating in so long. I was at first finding out how to make Mark's death more dramatic but then my retarded computer stops on me and so now I have to use my dad's computer. If everything goes smoothly, then I should be able to upload several more chapters tomorrow.

Chapter 4: Proceeding

It has been about three months now since Mark's death. The group is moving slowly because Mark always knew what pace to travel at. It was really frustrating at first.

Flashback

"I'll kill him. He kept this from us. Lemme at him, lemme at him."

"Hector, while I would give him a stern talking to, I would not want to beat up Mark. I'm very sure that he has a good reason."

"Well, for Mark's sake, I hope he has a good reason. Lyn looks like she's ready to castrate him. She's been sharpening her blade, working her heart out…why the hell is she pointing the sword at her self..."

"Quick someone stop her!!!"

End Flashback

As we can see, Lyn was at the end of her rope. Mark was gone and everything was falling apart. Lyn was about to kill herself when she stopped. She merely looked down at her finger and walked away.

Mark's treasures were divided up by the three lords. By mutual agreement, Lyn received Mark's ring, Eliwood his book, and Hector his dagger. Silently, all three of them knew that Hector would not be able to use the book.

It was difficult, but they somehow managed. Lyn was hit hardest because she knew Mark the longest. Eliwood noticed her sadness one day and decided to help.

Flashback

"Lyn, Lyn, LYN!"

"Oh, Eliwood, it's you. What do you want?"

"Come on, let's talk for a bit."

"About Mark?"

"Err... sure, if you want to. Um, Lyn why are you wearing the ring on that finger."

"You mean my ring finger? Is there something wrong?"

"Oh nothing, it's just a different custom from Pherae. Don't worry about it. Well, I'll see ya."

"Eliwood…?"

End Flashback

Yes, Eliwood should have handled that a bit better but he was afflicted with what many guys have: the oblivious skill. Handy against charm, and like wise will get you nowhere in a relationship. He wasn't that much of a help in the end.

Whenever they enter into a city or some place with people, military leaders always seem to pick them out and ask for the Great Mark. They stopped calling him that after Hector's suggestion that Mark died and whoever says that he will come back and haunt. I wouldn't really put it past him either.

Luckily for them, they received news from a city near Bern. The people apparently saw dark shadows matching the description of the ones they have been searching for lurking in the nearby forest. They waited until near dusk before they saw a lone shadow weaving between the trees. It sensed them and gave a shrill cry before running off.

Lyn quickly looked through the entire area with the ring. They were covered by the trees only scarcely and the opponents were well hidden in the woods. Mounted riders would have a hard time traversing the terrain and pegasi and wyvern-riders would be picked off easy from the shielded opponent. No, the best bet was to use foot soldiers, even if they must move slower.

Most of the mounted unit stayed back at camp thought Eliwood insisted that he come along. The battle was maneuvering quite well for our heroes' path. The shadows were fast but they easily fell to the onslaught. Most of the time, a single slash would put one down. Eventually they came to the leader of the pack.

A bit taller than Eliwood but not quite as tall as Hector, Grepsle was a rather grotesque being. His skin was black while his eyes were blood red pools. White fur grew from his neck and spine, elbows, the back of his knees, from his chin forming a little beard. His face was stretched out into a muzzle/beak like appendage with two rows of sharp fangs protruding. He was unarmed but the claws he had on his hands and feet made up for the lack of man-made weapons.

"So you've come little lords. I've been expecting."

"You are quite polite for someone who've been stealing and disrupting the village," Hector said slowly.

"Well, you're no prize yourself, Mr. Hector. Yes I know of you and I've been warned of your ax, the Armads." And with that he gave a low chuckle. It was rather disturbing to say in the least. "Your tactician is no longer with you. You shall fall beneath my fangs." He gave a great roar and charged.

Despite the fact the he is bulkier than Hector; he moved nimbly and evaded most of their strokes. Eliwood had the hardest time because his horse kept on getting tripped by the roots. Eventually, Lyn saw through his attacks. After a while, he becomes a one trick pony. If he was a pony, he was ugly, I'll tell you that much.

His basic style was to charge at high speed towards anyone of them, gnashing anything that happens to be in his way. Hector also saw this and formulated a plan. He stood in one spot while Grepsle charged at him. Lyn and Eliwood looked in shock as Grepsle came hurtling down towards Hector. Hector put down his Armads and took out a tomahawk. He threw it towards Grepsle causing him to duck and before he could get up again, Hector jumped on him and did a very good rodeo impression.

The battle only ended when Hector saw that Grepsle could dislocate his limbs and were coming after him. He pulled out the only weapon he had left, which ironically was Mark's dagger, and was very disappointed. It was diminutive compared to any other respectable weapon but it was a weapon and he had nothing else to lose. He plunged it into the base of Grepsle's neck, severing his spine and effectively wounding him beyond salvation. Grepsle's last dying breaths were, "So, you've killed me little lords. This only be the beginning. I swear to you that the rivers shall run red with blood. Hehehe…"

Though those words, for unknown reasons, creep them out. Lyn walked up to the corpse carefully to make sure it was dead. Just to be safe, she took out her Sol Katti and attempted to fully sever his head. The blade was brought down but was deflected by his fur. After assurance from her friends, Lyn decided to leave the body and go back to the village. Perhaps they could find more information on this mysterious group.

They returned to find the village on fire and villagers screaming wildly. Floating above them was a dark shadow…

Yes, so if you could kindly wait then the chapters will be up tomorrow. Hopefully