Not much to say since I think I said everything in the last chapter. Oh well, Enjoy!

Chapter 15: Catacombs

They started exploring the city. Everyone went their different directions. Some formed groups. Some of the magic users predictably went to the library as soon as they heard of it, riders went to water their mounts, the rest just wandered off to find something fun to do.

Mark walked off to look around at the sights that he just can't seem to remember after being drunk. Maybe that was a side affect of alcohol, temporary memory loss. Lyn, Hector, and Eliwood decided to head off in a different direction from Mark because he seems to be all moody. They went and had a great time exploring all of the great wonders that Arcadia beheld.

Eventually Mark came back to them around lunchtime and herded everybody into the café. The manager was very happy about the increase in customers. After everyone ordered their food and dined alfresco, because the diner couldn't hold all of them, Mark sat down with them to discuss of what to do next.

"So guys, what do you think of this place?"

"Well it's okay as everything goes. It has a nice atmosphere, calm yet active," Eliwood replied, taking in the beauty of the newfound world around him.

"Yeah, thish plmashe im grmate!"

"HECTOR! Will you PLEASE not talk while your mouth is full?"

Hector swallowed at the look Lyn was giving him before speaking, "Whatever."

"Honestly, some nobles have no upbringing."

"Now, now Lyn," Hector started, "You really shouldn't put yourself down like that."

"ARGGG!"

"Right then. I'll just be leaving. Good day to you Eliwood, Lyn and Hector if you two are even open to the rest of the world instead of being immature children glaring at each other. No? Then I'll just take my leave."

"See ya Mark," replied the only sensible lord left.

Mark walked past several tables who waved or said something to him before going back to their food. Mark closed off to the rest of the world for a moment. He left the lords because he saw someone that needed rescuing. That, and he didn't want to be around to break up the fight that Lyn and Hector were sure to have. Eliwood was sooooo much better at that job…He's going to be receiving an earful tonight from Eliwood.

Anyway, the person in question happened to be a girl, who just happened to be a waitress, who just happened to be serving the table where Sain was sitting. She was a shy type, but not as bad as Florina. Sain was being his usual self, flirting with anything that looks remotely like a girl. It wasn't much of a heroic save, but it'll have to do.

"What seems to be going on here?"

"Hmm? Oh Mark, I didn't see you there. I was just talking to this girl, a vision of dazzling loveliness."

"I see…well, perhaps I can join you on your interesting discussion."

"Err…that's…"

"Oh dear, it would seems that your boss is calling for you. Here's payment for the drinks, and a little tip for the little miss," Mark said winking at her.

"Thank you kind sirs," she said before hurrying off, either to get to her boss, or to get away from Sain.

"Now then Sain, I'm going to be off. I'll be sure to enlighten Kent of this episode."

"Wh-WHAT? Why?"

"Because he wants to keep track of what you do so he can properly reprimand you when the time comes or the situation calls for it." Mark said while leaving a shocked Sain behind.

'Well that was fun,' thought Mark in a sadistic kind of way. 'Ruining moments and causing misfortune are what I like to do. And a dee dee dee dum da doo doh do,' sang Mark inside his head. He needs professional psychiatric help. He needs it desperately.

Wondering where he's been walking, he found himself in front of a statue. It looked to be of a half nude guy. He was wearing a long cloth from his waist. How it was held up, Mark'll never know. He also had a lot of ornaments decorating him, and he was wearing a weird headdress. He was sitting on a great stone throne.

"That guy was a ruler in the past," an unknown voice spoke up behind him.

"Ah!" cried Mark, jumping back and taking a stance.

He looked to see a girl standing in front of him. Not particularly dangerous, but he couldn't afford to take chances. She had indigo hair and wore thick glasses. Her dress was simple but had decorative designs on it.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to cause trouble. I just saw you looking at the statue and was wondering if I could help. Hi! My name's Indigo."

"I'm Mark. I was just admiring this statue," said Mark slowly.

"Did you noticed the runes?" she asked, pointing at the base of the statue.

Mark leaned in closer to take a look. Indeed, at the base of the statue were small runes. Only one line was visible, and it was half buried by the pavement. Mark could tell that it was the same ones that he could read, but without the other half that was underground along with the rest of the passage.

"It's no good. They're half buried."

"Yeah, I know. I've been petitioning the Counsel to take up the area around there but they won't do it. They wouldn't do it for the other statues either. They said it wasn't cost effective and that no one really cares anyway."

"Yeah…wait. Other statues?"

"Oh yeah. There's bunches more. Come on, I'll show them to you."

Mark willingly went along with Indigo and viewed many of the statues. There was a griffin, a sphinx, a gargoyle, a deer, and a boar. They also had writing on them, but they were also buried. They were also running out of time to think. It was getting dark and they both need to get back to their friends and families.

"Well, I guess that this is where we'll split."

"Okay Mark. I hope I see you again while you're still in town."

With that they both headed their separate ways. 'I hope the others are doing okay. I hope I haven't worried them too much,' Mark thought as he walked into the inn where they were staying at. Inside, he saw a sight that welcomed him. Everyone was talking, laughing, and having fun. Even the lords, though Lyn looked slightly worried.

"Hello guys, having fun?"

"Verily Mark!" chorused Hector and Eliwood.

"Uh-huh. And you Lyn?"

"I'm okay Mark," she said tiredly. "Just happy that you're back."

"Well, it's almost time for dinner so let's go."

So they all headed towards the dining area. There they all sat down when Mark noticed an indigo head rushed by him. Indigo?...INDIGO?!...

She apparently saw him too, and mouthed to him something that he didn't understand. Lyn also saw this too but didn't say anything.

After the food was out, the innkeeper stood up to speak to everyone.

"Welcome all to this inn. Before we join in this wonderful meal, will someone say grace? How about you Indigo?"

"Yes father. Fur and feathers, tooth and claw, all who come by our door. Silver fish your life we take, only for a meal to make. Amen."

"Amen," everyone chorused but looked up at her halfway through grace.

"Fish isn't even the main course tonight," Hector muttered as Indigo headed towards their table.

"Yes, but I do love Redwall," she said while sitting down next to Mark. "So Mark, why didn't you say you were staying here?"

"Well, it never came up. Anyway, guys, this is Indigo. We met when I was examining a rather suspicious statue with suspicious runes."

"Suspici-" Indigo started.

"Really Mark?" Lyn interjected. "Were they the same ones?"

"Yes Lyn!" Mark exclaimed and spoke to the rest of the lords just like he always did, all tension forgotten. Indigo looked wistfully at them.

That night while they were all heading to bed, Indigo thought that she would head Mark off, just to chat with him. She was just around the hallway and about to turn the corner when she heard Lyn and Mark.

"Thanks for doing this."

"No problem Mark. Like we said before, what are friends for?"

"I'm still grateful."

Indigo nervously peered around the corner to see Lyn giving Mark a kiss. Indigo blushed and sank to the ground. She quickly got up and hurried back to her room.

The next morning, Mark was up and about inside the inn. He waited until everyone was up before telling them about their assignments for the day.

"Okay troops, we've been working hard and this place is really fun, I'll admit that. But unfortunately, we still have work to do so I'm going to give out your assignments."

There was a collective groan that echoed through the building and into the town. Mark waited patiently and held up his hand for them to stop.

"Today I'll be spending time at the library looking up some interesting runes. Your assignments are all the same for the day."

This was it. The one day of fun and games and they have work. Why is Mark so mean?

"You get to enjoy the day and do whatever you wish."

The room was silent for a minute, letting all of it sink in, before jumping around and screaming. Mark held up his hand again and waited for them to calm down again but they didn't so he yelled at them.

"Everybody SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP! Like I was saying before you guys interrupted me."

"Whadda ya mean interrupted you? You took a pause."

"Whoever said that can come on up and I'll give you a real assignment."

Crickets can be heard in the background. Mark sent a glare to the window and there was suddenly perfect silence.

"Good, now all of you boys and girls can have a good day and don't do anything stupid while the grownup, me, does work. Don't do stupid things, like say…setting fire to some buildings or flirting with girls and causing them to give us trouble. Other than that, enjoy. Everybody understand? Good. Now HAUL OUT!"

There was one final cheer before everybody rushed out the door. Mark sighed and shook his head before looking upward towards the ceiling before chuckling. He then jumped off the box he was standing on to make himself taller and walked out the door and made his way to the library.

Peering at the vast amount of tomes around him, Mark gave a sigh before looking through the endless rows of books. Several members were there too, as some enjoy their day by having a good book to read. Pent wasn't here though. He was spending the day with Louise. Mark didn't want to ask any of the others because it was their day and so they should enjoy it.

Around lunch time, Mark stopped his looking. He was getting little progress. There were simply too many books and not enough clues to find the right one. The statues were mysteries themselves. Apparently, City Hall decided to keep them because they looked cool and added to the scenery. He decided to stop and regroup before attempting to tackle the books again.

"Hey Mark. How's it going?" a voice whispered behind him.

Mark jumped and looked around to see Lyn standing behind him with a cheerful smile. Mark smirked and told her about his trek through the library…only to find her asleep halfway through his recollection.

Lyn woke up again and, before Mark could get steamed, told him of her real reason for coming to the library.

"What, it wasn't to visit me?"

"Kinda. Oh come on Mark. Don't try that sad puppy dog look…Okay, okay, I really did come to visit you. Happy?"

"Maybe…"

"Fine then! Don't come along to the picnic."

"Hold on! Wait Lyn. What are you talking about?"

"Well," she began with a blush, "I sorta made a picnic for the two of us."

"Just us?"

"Yeah. Got a problem with that? If you don't want to come, then don't."

Mark looked at Lyn for a moment before smiling. "I'd love to come."

Then it was Lyn's turn to look at him, only strangely this time.

"Don't worry about the rest of the troops. Despite my actions towards them, I believe that they are very capable of taking care of themselves."

"Okay! Let's go then!"

So Mark and Lyn left together to have their picnic. They chose a grassy field where there was plenty of sun that kept them warm, but also with lots of shade to keep them cool. Lyn brought along a basket that had all of the food in it along with a traditional checkerboard style picnic blanket and any other picnic necessities.

They set up the picnic which was filled with everything. They had sandwiches, lemonade, roasted chicken, cookies, gelatin, fruit, salads, and a whole variety of foods. They sat down and chat while they ate. They talked about everyday things and joked around. It was a good time and everything felt right in the world. It was like all of the darkness they were chasing gave up and went home and all of the mysteries around them just evaporated like the mist that dispersed with the coming of noon.

They ate their lunch and reclined under a shady tree to rest after they cleaned up their trash. They made quiet conversation, often just talking about nonsense like what the clouds passing over them looked like.

Eventually they nodded off. Lyn woke up feeling a weight on her lap.

'Huh? Mark's asleep on my lap? Oh well, it still feels right.'

'Man girl, you've got it bad.'

'Who are you supposed to be?'

'You.'

'Oh, well can you please leave. I'm kinda having a moment here.'

'Sure, no problem. I'll just pick my self up and leave. ARE YOU KIDDING? HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO LEAVE?!'

'Fine, just stop messing up my moment with Mark.'

So Lyn just stayed there, silently stroking Mark's hair. 'His face looks so young and innocent when he's asleep' she mused.

Soon, Mark woke up as well. He was slightly embarrassed for falling asleep on her, but he passed it off and they walked back to the library together.

"Well Lyn, that was a great picnic, but I need to get back to work. So I guess that this would be 'See ya later'."

"Or…I can stay with you and help you with whatever you are looking up."

"If you want, but it's really boring."

"Why not? I've got nothing better to do."

"I'm sure you've got something, but I won't turn down help."

It took them several hours to get to the right book, but they found something very interesting. An ancient passage was written in a book detailing something about a king worshipped along with many gods and goddesses represented with animal figures.

They took it back to the inn where they spoke with their friends about the new find.

"So, does this give us a new clue on where to go next?"

"It does Hector. This should lead us to the next clue."

"And how did you figure that?"

"…Haven't you been paying attention? I said that the same runes were on the statues as the ones on the gateway, which had my signature on it."

"Oohh, rrright. I forgot."

"Anyway, Mark, get to the point."

"Fine, the first part of this seems to be a poem-"

"Why does it always have to be a poem?"

"Quit interrupting. Like I was saying. The poem goes:

A giant figure carved in stone

Awaiting for my rightful throne

Who am I?

A lonely vigil I guard the gate

Five thousand years and still I wait

What am I?

Eye, beak, eye in the same

Shall let you continue in this game

"The rest just talks about what scholars think that the poem means."

"Can the document be trusted?"

"I think so. It was also found on the walls of a cave 26 kilometers away from the statues."

"…Alright Mark. I'll trust you and Lyn. Seeing as how we don't have anything else on this. We'll start out first thing tomorrow."

"Good. In the interim, I'll update everyone."

Mark left to make an announcement to the troops. Lyn was left back at the table with Hector and Eliwood. Indigo was finished with her rounds so she came by to talk to them.

"Hey guys, whatcha talking about?"

"Hello Indigo. We're just talking about our day. How was yours?"

"It was okay. Same ol' same ol', ya know?"

"Well Mark gave us the day off so we enjoyed ourselves. Anything unusual about your day Lyn?"

"Hmm? Nothing much. I just went out for a picnic with Mark," she said nonchalantly like it happen everyday.

Everyone at her table froze. Mark was not one to shirk his studies. Especially for a picnic. He usually brought along some sandwiches or something and mull over what he read during his break.

"What? Is everyone okay?"

"I am, Lyn," said Indigo who didn't know about Mark all that much. "I am a bit jealous at you."

"How come?"

"Well," she said with a blush, "I think I kinda have a crush on Mark."

Hector snapped out of his shock to hear this. "Wow, that was blunt."

"Hector!" Lyn reprimanded.

She turned back to Indigo but before she can say anything, Indigo continued. "But I know that it'll never work out. We're too different. I think that Lyn would be a better mistress for him than I would," she looks towards Lyn, "Take care of him for me would cha?"

Lyn processed all of this quickly, "Sure," she said with a smile.

"Whoo! I'm glad I've got that off of my chest," she sighed getting up to stretch. "Well, I've got to go, see ya tomorrow." She flashed them all a grin and rushed off.

Lyn and the others continued talking into the night and everyone slept peacefully. Tomorrow, hopefully, they'll be able to continue. There was just one thing that was occupying Lyn's mind. Was she forgetting something important?

The next day was bright and sunny. Warm and good feelings all around. Everyone woke up to a good breakfast and was rearing to go and figure out the poem. Mark had updated them on everything and some had an inkling of where to go.

As soon as everyone was ready, everyone jumped up and rushed out the door. Mark just calmly walked to where he wherever he was planning. The lords decided that Mark was probably right, followed him and several others also followed them.

Mark stopped in front of the giant statue of the half-nude man and sat down cross-legged. Everyone sat down as well, waiting for Mark to continue. After a while, no one else found a way to open the statues, and came back to where Mark was at and sat down as well. Eventually, everyone was there and Mark still hadn't moved a muscle. Lyn finally got fed up and walked over to him.

"Okay Mark, how much longer are we going to have to wait? Mark?"

Lyn went around him and took a look at his face. She sweat dropped and screamed, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING ASLEEP?!"

Mark promptly woke up and shouted, "WHERE'S THE FIRE? I'LL GET IT!"

Mark looked around and noticed that everyone was there. "Oh goody, everyone's here. Now I can continue." He stood up and walked over to the statue and started to climb up it.

He reached over the ledge, which was the shoulder that he was standing on, to reach the face of the statue.

"Careful Mark!" Lyn shouted from the ground.

Mark ignored her and reached over and touched the eye of the statue, then his nose, but when he touched the last eye, he slipped and fell towards the ground.

"Don't worry Lyn, I've got him," Hector said as he rushed forward.

He managed to safely catch Mark and set him down on the ground. Lyn promptly rushed over to him and slapped him.

"You idiot. Why did you do that? You could have had someone else who has a flying mount to do it. Or at least someone who's more physically fit."

"Lyn, a flying mount takes up more room than available and I wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. Now come on, an entrance should be here somewhere."

No sooner than he said that, the statue moved backward to reveal a staircase going straight down.

"Looks dark," Hector muttered worriedly.

"Don't worry," Mark reassured him. "Florina will be down there to help you out, you big baby."

Florina stammered, while Hector raged at Mark.

"Come back here you pipsqueak!" Hector screamed, chasing Mark around.

"Try and catch me first, you large lump of lard," Mark shouted behind him and headed down into the stairs.

"You are so dead when you tire out," Hector screamed and lunged after him.

Everybody sweat dropped and followed them into the dark tunnel.

It started as a single passage way. Everything was dark and damp, but there were torches that lit the way. The tunnel was obviously not used a lot, but why are the torches lit then?

They reached their first intersection and found Hector strangling Mark who looked bored saying 'Ouch, ouch,' monotonously.

After separating them, Mark looked to Lyn.

"What?"

"Well, do you job Lyn."

"What job?"

"You can see dungeons with the ring."

"Oh. Okay…We go through several confusing tunnels and should end up at a room with a strange symbol. I don't know what it is."

While Lyn still had her eyes closed, Mark put one hand on her shoulder and concentrated.

"The symbol," he said, "Is a warp point. It's an ancient type of magic that allows users to go from one place to the next."

So they headed towards the area. Lyn and Mark calmly walked in front. They didn't set off any traps whatsoever. The same couldn't be said for the rest of the troops. There were spiked pitfall traps, ones that shot arrows at them, ones that shot javelins at them, goo traps that stopped them for a while, ceilings falling on them, and Hector had a pie in the face.

Lyn and Mark just walked through all of them, not batting one eyelash. Eventually, they came before the door that had the symbol. Mark looked back and everyone and jumped backwards.

"Whoa, what happened to you guys?"

Everyone was battered but not too wounded for the ware. "I don't really want to know. Let's just go through this door, beat up whatever we come across and move on."

Lyn, Eliwood, and Hector went forth first, then Mark followed them, but as soon as he walked through, the door slammed shut.

All of them looked back at the door. The door faded away, engulfing them in total darkness. Then the darkness went away as they looked down. The symbol was right below them and was activating.

They were transported to another dark room. Lyn's eyes widen. For some reason, she remembered the faded images of when her tribe was attacked. She broke out of it as she heard a gasp and a groan around her.

She saw Eliwood and Hector take a step back, but what really concerned her was that Mark collapsed on the ground. She quickly rushed to him. He was curled up on the ground, shivering and whimpering.

"This is all your fault you know," a voice hidden by the shadows told them. "You are seeing your fears and despair. But they pale in comparison to what Mark has witness."

Lyn felt the speaker's eyes fall on her. "You are not as affected thanks to the effects of the ring. It shields its wearer's mind against all intrusion. But Mark is suffering. You know what you'll do."

Lyn, without thinking, ripped off the ring and placed it on Mark's hand. It glowed faintly before fading. The memories were drilling into her head but she kept looking at Mark, hoping that he'll wake up. The ring shined again and the darkness seemed to be pulled into the ring, along with their feelings and memories.

With their heads clearing, they looked around them to see a well furnished room. A figure in a brown cloak stepped towards them. His cloak was the same style as Mark's, only brown instead of green.

He looked down at Mark and looked back up to them.

"Thank you," he said in a clear voice.

Just one word was all she needed. The person in front of her, was the same person she saw talking to Tamara, Tarin, and Mark when he was still under their spell.

He leaned down and picked Mark up, with his arms supporting Mark's neck and the back of his knees.

Lyn lunged forward with her sword ready to lop off his head. He moved quicker than she expected and jumped backwards. The action caused his hood to fall down and Lyn and the others looked in shock.

His eyes, his hair, everything about him was the same. He was like an exact duplicate of Mark.

Wow. Just think of all the plot twists. I happen to think they're funny. So Mark has a clone. Or is Mark the clone? That sounded like a cheesy drama show. Anyway, the warp point works the same way as the gate. You need two of them to work and they work in reverse as well.

Anyway, here's a clue for you. "What does Aniki-san mean?" For those who know Japanese, please correct me if I'm wrong. I don't want to say anything but I'm pretty sure that's the word I'm looking for.