Stahl watched as the horde of Risen and Entombed slinked closer and closer. The smell had become stifling and it was a struggle just to breathe. Behind him Lissa was breathing heavily as well. The first zombie came within arms distance and Stahl sliced through him without hesitation. A purple gas erupted from the dissolving body and the others seemed to quicken their pace. He cut through two more and they became even more frenzied.

"The gas…it attracts them. Maybe it fuels them?"

What was he doing? He couldn't be lost in thought if they were going to escape this alive. It was a strange feeling. When he killed these Risen it felt as though their emotions were filling his head. That wasn't the case with previous Risen battles. Why else would he feel intense feelings of fear, doubt, anguish, anger, sadness, regret?

"Stahl!?" Lissa yelled.

He dodged the claw of the entombed in front of him and cut it down. Get it together, Stahl thought, this isn't some game. He continued to slash through the horde with Lissa close behind picking off the stragglers with her axe. It looked as though they were almost through when a strong evil presence filled the air.

"What is that? It's so strong….I..can barely think." Lissa said feeling faint.

Stahl felt it too but he couldn't let it take over. "Hold on, Lissa." He grabbed her and rammed through the last few Risen towards the stairs. The further they got away from the gas the better they felt.

"You can put me down now." She smiled as he put her down softly. The echoes of the Risen's moans were quiet now. The sound of water dripping and their breathing were loudest now.

Stahl bent down to rest. It was hard just to catch his breath. "I know we don't have time but that really sucked the energy from me. My mind was in a lot of turmoil back there." The old man came to mind. "I've got a few choice words for the old man when we get out of here."

Lissa rubbed his back softly. "I know what you mean. Let's hope that's sooner than later."

Stahl looked up at Lissa and couldn't help but smile. Their relationship would be so much better from now on. No more hiding his feelings. He could touch and kiss her whenever he wanted now. In truth they owed it all to the old man. Staring into her eyes he gave her a look that said he was going to kiss her now. She noticed and leaned over.

"Despite all this I'm pretty happy." Lissa giggled.

Stahl smiled again. "I am too. I think I'd enjoy it more if we weren't in this cave."

The two retraced their path back to the entrance and sure enough the old man was waiting. When he saw them he started doing a creepy jig.

"I knew you two could do it!"

Stahl hid his relief at escaping and tried to act angry. "I wouldn't be celebrating until you tell me where the butterfly is. You aren't getting this treasure until then."

Lissa tried to play along by mirroring Stahl's face. She even put her hands on her hips like she was angry.

The old geezer's face dropped and the two started laughing. "We're just messing with you. We know how much this thing means to you."

Lissa took it out and gave it to the old man. In a moment of surprise he started to cry. He hugged Lissa and Stahl tightly and wiped his eyes.

"You two don't know how much this means to me. My family suffered so—"

An arrow jutted out from the man's chest and blood sprayed onto Lissa and Stahl. The moment happened so fast but seemed to be in slow motion. It didn't make sense.

Lissa screamed in horror as he fell to his knees in front of them. She reached for her staff but Stahl pulled her behind a big boulder.

"Give us the emblem and you won't be harmed." A voice rang out from the trees.

Stahl couldn't process their words. He just stared at the man struggling to catch his breath. Blood gurgled and ran out of his mouth. Lissa was struggling and pleading to get out of Stahl's grasp.

"We have to help him! Let me go! Stahl, let me go!" Her sobs just made it worse for Stahl. Tears ran down his face. It was unbearable to watch, but he owed the man not to look away.

"We'll die too if we go out there. You know that." Stahl said quietly.

Lissa gave up and buried her face in Stahl's shoulder. She had already dealt with so much loss; it killed him that he couldn't protect her from another one. Stahl watched as the old man gave one last smile and grabbed a paper from his shirt. He nodded to let the man know he saw it and then it was over.

"So are you gonna give it up or not? We won't be waitin' too much longer."

Stahl's anger boiled. "You want it? Come and get it!"

"Choosin' the hard way eh? Fine with me! Surround em boys!"

"Wouldn't want to make it too easy for you to kill us!" Stahl yelled back knowing they weren't going to spare them anyway.

"Look at me, Lissa." He lifted her head from his shoulders and wiped her eyes gently. "I need to you live on. Promise me you will run and tell the others. I don't want you to look back or stop until you get to Chrom.

Lissa shook her head angrily. "No! No I won't do that. I'm not leaving you!"

The bushes rustled on the right and Gaius jumped out riding Panne's back. "You won't have to, Princess."

Behind them men screamed mixed with the sound of flames crackling. Stahl and Lissa stood up shocked.

"But…how?"

Gaius smirked. "Can we talk later? We've got some bad guys to kill. Isn't that right, Cottontail?"

Panne jumped towards the battle while Lissa ran to the old man. She took the paper from his hand and gave it to Stahl.

"Let's read it after we take care of these scum."