Not much again.

Chapter 8: Captured Alive

Eliwood rushed into the castle. His mother was his only family left so he didn't want to take any chances. Mark tried not to fight against them last time; it was by no means that he won't attack others this time. They had one night left before he was to attack if what Lyn said was any indication.

After stocking up in the local market, they decided that to place the Queen in the throne room. Her safety was Eliwood's main priority. They stationed guards around the perimeter but only sparingly. They knew that if Mark was leading the opposition, not even the best defenses can keep him out. They were counting on one thing and one thing only.

Mark told him when they began the journey for his father that he should never count on what the opponent will do because more than likely, they will do the exact opposite and you're left with a big mess.

Still, it was the best choice of what they came up with. Lucius, Wil, Rebecca, and several others volunteered to talk with him. Karel, Guy, and others that followed their idea wanted to pound him to a bloody pulp and drag him back. The last group had basically only Karel in it. He came up with the idea to kill Mark and be done with it after he joined the Bloody Pulp faction. He didn't have anything against Mark, he just wanted to kill. He settled for Mark's wolves later.

It was night when they struck. A guard ran in and informed them that the castle was placed under siege. The opposition was moving quickly through the town, though the villagers were boarded up and the group was passing by without a backward glance.

Eliwood nodded and told all the guards to collect in the throne room. He will be up front fighting with his army and they were to protect his mom. If Pherae lost its queen, it will be thrown into chaos and will undo the work they had accomplished against Nergal. Wars can and will break out if any of the government shows any weakness. The relationships between areas were still tense.

Several minutes passed by before they heard the door being knocked down. In strode Mark standing straight and tall with his army behind him. The hell-fangs were standing in line formation and marched with the skill of a professional military. Mark walked forward. With each step, he changed more and more into a wolf. Eventually, they met up with the same opponent in the ruined castle.

Mark paused, and then with a howl, the hell-fangs charged forward threatening to rip all who stood in their way. As the creatures were rushing forward, Mark moved forward towards the lords. The other lupine creatures diverged around the lords giving them ample room and fought against the other members of the army including the guards.

It was no time for talk. This was a battle and Mark was an opponent. His movements haven't changed much. If for anything, he seems to be moving slower and he took his times with the attack, many of which they dodged. The battle raged on for several hours.

The most they fought for was one or two hours. Mark took them into battle, and they exited quickly. This was a test of their stamina. No, they will not give up. Mark often meditated in the extreme conditions of the camp and he had no complaints. Yes, thought Eliwood, I will be like Mark, my tactician and friend.

At last the final hell-fang was brought down when Nils accidentally tripped and knocked into a suit of armor. It fell over and its ax severed the surprised creature's head off. Mark was still going at them. His energy was diminishing quickly though and he was tiring out fast. His movements were slow, his breathing ragged, and he got several injuries even though Hector was trying his hardest not to hurt Mark too badly.

When the light came out, Mark turned back to normal. By now, he was on one knee and breathing hard. He looked up sharply as Eliwood moved forward. His eyes burned with determination and challenged Eliwood to ask him to surrender. It was during this staring contest that Hector got in a clean blow. He snuck up on Mark and knocked him out cold with a special pressure point just below the base of his neck.

Mark fell forward and knew no more. Lyn and Eliwood moved forward with ropes and fastened his arms and legs together. It was just a precaution incase he accidentally woke up on the way there. Once they reach a bed, they'll fasten him to the bed posts so he won't struggle during the examination. They moved him to the infirmary for intensive care.

The area around the fight was demolished. Everything was broken but nothing irreplaceable. The Queen was worried sick about her son's health and his friends but otherwise was fine. The servants and maids of the castle set out to clean up the mess.

In the infirmary, no one was allowed in except the lords, and only because they got special permission. Hector looked sick, Eliwood looked sad, and Lyn looked worried. Finally she spoke up, "Mark, I have a lot of questions for you. When you wake up, I hope that you can answer them. For now, I return what was yours."

With that she took the ring off her finger and placed it on Mark's right index finger. Mark twitched in his sleep but otherwise made no move of acknowledgement. His friends could only look on and leave when visiting time was over.

In a dark place

Mark was all alone. He saw voices. He didn't hear them, nor could he see who spoke but he somewhat saw the voices, as if he knew something he shouldn't.

"He has failed. He was captured. Why oh why did you do that? Surely you knew what would happen. Didn't you?"

"Calm down, Mark did not fail. He has done admirably well for what has happened so far. Also, he got what he needed to get. One more thing to do but it won't be needed as much. Until then, Mark will fall right into place in the puzzle."

The voices faded away and Mark remembered nothing of them. The only thing he remembered was a vague picture of a girl with a ponytail. She was sitting on a hill, but who was she? He just can't seem to remember. Why? Is it something…more?

These opponents are not your average opponents. They hold a key to Mark. There were no fatalities during the fight with the exception of the wolves. If anyone wants to know why Mark's troops were losing, its because Mark really doesn't want to fight against them. Not until he finds out more information. Also, the wolves were like low level grunts. Compare them to the opponent spear men in the game.