Okay, just warning everybody now: I wrote this in about two hours. Half was already written on paper, but much was added to those sections and the other half just FLOWED through me. Sounds dorky, but trust me, that's seriously what happened. ANYWHO, bada-bing, bada-boom! Here is the next chapter, in which SOME things are ACTUALLY EXPLAINED! Now's the time to freak out. (you all freak)

Dracomancer6491: Glad you liked it! I tried to draw it out as much as I could. But, the cliff-hanger...? Yeah. I'm a mean person, so I love MAKING them. Don't worry, 'cause I don't like reading them either. Hehe!

NasiraWolf: My Deviantart account is BlueMoonFilly. I have a picture of Mihara up and am trying to get my scanner working to get Ginia up. If your fandoms are the same as mine, then your awesomeness just went up, like, even more! Yay! And I'm glad you liked the chapter! Here's da next update! (drumroll)

XTwilightxSpiritX: Haha, yeah I'm always reading stories that make me squeal or laugh my butt off and my mom asks if I need to go to the hospital. Well, we fangirls can't help it! And the part where I'm going to make Ranulf confess to Mihara in PERSON is the hardest part I'm working on. It's not gonna happen for a little while, still, but I'm trying not to make it too cheesy, but it's just SO HARD! (cries) Tibarn's goin' more daddy-like! (evil laugh)

Predator Drone: Nooo! Another Saints fan! Heh, just playing. Kyo is a dragon laguz, but he has wings that are visible, like the hawks. Irea does not yet have a major part, but she is very important in the future...! I guess that...maybe...SOME answers will come in this chapter. Thanks for the review!

Disclaimer: I own no Fire Emblem, yada, yada, yada...just my created characters and this plotline, yada, yada, yada...

XxXxXxX

Chapter 23

"Irea."

"Yes, my goddess?"

"I have changed my mind. This pathetic storm is making Tibarn's daughter slow down. Go out and meet her."

"As you wish, my goddess."

"Also...get between anyone who tries to stop her. Do not kill them, for I am a goddess of my word. Warn them. If they attack, retaliate, but do not kill them."

"Yes, my goddess."

"Good... Now, go get her. She is nearing the altar in Serenes. I will transport you there."

"Yes, my goddess."

XxXxXxX

Mihara trudged along, dragging her feet. Her black wings were tucked in tightly, taking a break and trying to stay dry. Above her, the sky rumbled and poured rain onto her. Her entire body was soaked to the bone, and her clothes were sticking to her. She was glad it was raining and thundering like it was. She felt so lost...depressed, and confused... The rain added to her feelings, as though it was emphasizing.

She looked around slowly. The area looked slightly familiar... Maybe she was drawing closer to the Serenes Altar. If that's the case, I should take the long way around.

With that thought, Mihara veered slightly off her course. Even through the now-thick trees of the Serenes Forest, the rain still slipped through; almost as if the trees weren't there. The Hawk Princess brought up her left hand and wiped her wet hair out of her face. She tucked him behind her ears as best she could after wringing a little bit of water out. She sighed and looked upward as she continued walking. There was a flash of lightning farther behind her, and about three seconds later, there was a clap of thunder. The storm was slowly, but surely, moving away from her.

She turned and looked behind her. No one was close to her, so the weather must have been slowing Ranulf down more than herself. Still...I hope my scent isn't fading... Please, hurry, Ranulf... I'm getting closer to Ashera by the minute...

XxXxXxX

Ranulf glared up at the sky. "Damn it, Yune, if you can hear me, you need to stop this nonsense! Turn off your damn sprinklers!"

"Umm...even though she's a goddess...does she really have control over the weather?" Sylvia inquired, just as wet as Ranulf.

"She had better learn really fast if she doesned," he muttered darkly, his dripping wet hair hanging in his face. "I mean, c'mon... We're on a rescue mission, yet we're going to be threatened with getting sick. Again, in my case. I still feel feverish, and this is not helping me."

Sylvia scoffed with amusement, looking at the funny side. "Cats. No matter what world you're in..."

Ranulf threw the lightning mage a dirty look. He then turned back to the task at hand. He shifted before sniffing the air. After turning his head a few directions, his eyes widened with alarm.

"...Why do I not like the way you look right now...?" Sylvia murmured.

"I...I can't smell her anymore."

Sylvia shared Ranulf's look and glanced around. "You can't...?"

"No..." Ranulf growled. He turned to a small tree, his insides bubbling up with anger. He brought back his right paw with his claws out. With an enraged yowl, he swiped at the tree. "Dammit!!"

Sylvia watched Ranulf with grief, not sure how to respond. They had an idea of where Mihara was headed, but now that Ranulf couldn't track her through the rain, they had no way of knowing for sure. Mihara wasn't leaving any footprints on the path... Still, Sylvia scanned the ground while walking forward, still following the path. Meanwhile, Ranulf continuing hissing with fury and attacking tree after tree with his lethal claws. After a few moments, her calmed himself, yet his hair was still standing up on end with ire.

Suddenly, Sylvia cried, "Ranulf! Look at this!"

The feline was over at Sylvia's side in a second. "...What is it?"

"Look!" Sylvia leaned down towards the ground and picked up something that was slightly covered in mud. Ranulf fell back into his half-form and leaned over Sylvia's shoulder, looking at the object. Slowly, his hand reached out and grasped it from Sylvia's.

"It's...the necklace I made Mihara."

"So, she's still headed this way! Come on, let's just keep going! Maybe we can catch up to her!"

"...You're right. Let's go."

XxXxXxX

"So...you're saying that you sensed both Mihara and Ashera, my sister?" Reyson looked down slightly at Leanne.

"Yes. That worries me. When Micaiah and Sothe left, I sensed Ashera just before I sensed Mihara coming this way." Leanne glanced outside at the pouring rain. "I feel that Mihara is in trouble."

Reyson stood in silence for a moment, processing what Leanne was saying. "Now that you mention it, the air has felt...tense. Troubled."

Leanne looked at her brother with worry. "Do you think she's okay?"

"I hope so. But if not...we can try and help her as best as we can."

"...Yes."

Rafiel walked out to the room where his younger brother and sister were. Leanne and Reyson turned toward him. "How is Father?" they demanded.

Rafiel sighed, long and hard, fumbling with his hands. "Well...he's sleeping."

"But...?" Reyson egged on.

"He isn't getting better."

Reyson and Leanne shared Rafiel's worried look. Reyson glanced back at Rafiel. "My brother...something is coming."

Rafiel's eyes widened. "...What?"

Leanne nodded. "I feel something coming. I have a feeling that it's Mihara, but...something is very wrong."

XxXxXxX

Tibarn paced outside of a room where, inside, his son was getting treated for his wounds from the assassin. Naesala stood silently, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed across his chest. Ike and Skrimir were farther down the hall, conversing quietly. Naesala had given up long ago to try and assure Tibarn that Shoen would be fine. The healers were in the room, taking care of Shoen's wounds. At last, the door clicked open, and Tibarn stopped pacing and moved swiftly to the female healer that stepped out.

"How is he?" were Tibarn's first words.

"He is much like you, Hawk King. He will be fine with a bit of rest. However, he will have to wait a little longer before he can fly. We have given him something to help him rest."

"...Okay. Thank you." Tibarn clenched his fists and turned away, stalking down the hall towards Ike and Skrimir.

Naesala called after him, "Are you going after your girl?"

Tibarn didn't answer him. Naesala sighed and followed after him. Ike and Skrimir looked up at Tibarn from their conversation. "Where are you going?" Ike inquired.

"Watch Shoen for me," Tibarn snapped, not answering Ike's question, nor missing a beat as he walked past the two.

As Naesala walked by the two, he shrugged at them: His way of saying, "Don't look at me."

The two birds walked out of the main Gallian doors. Once they were outside, Tibarn instantly shifted to his full form. Naesala looked at the gray sky and heard a rumble of thunder in the distance. "We're going to fly in this?"

"You don't have to come, Naesala." Tibarn shoved off the ground.

"Is that so...?" Naesala grumbled. Still, he, too, shifted and flew up after Tibarn. "Where do you think she is? Or is going?"

"...The Tower of Guidance." Tibarn's eyes narrowed as he and the former Raven King shot forward, flying as fast as they could.

Naesala frowned and looked at Tibarn. "Why there?"

"It's Ashera's home," was the reply.

"Even though I know few details, I suppose it would make sense since she has something to do with all this, but..."

"She's there, Naesala. I know it."

Naesala sighed with defeat. "Alright, Tibarn. Whatever you say. Mind filling me in about this?"

"Just before Ashera was released, Mihara heard her voice. Ashera tried to coax Mihara into joining her. For what reason, we aren't completely sure. Yune has a theory, but we just can't say for sure. So, much earlier today, I found Mihara, collasped, on the ground in the forest. Her wings were black."

Naesala turned to Tibarn with alarm. "Black? Did Ashera change her into a raven?"

"No, I don't believe so. Either way, Ranulf had still been asleep when this happened, but when he woke up, he went into a frenzy and kept saying that we needed to look at Mihara's eyes..."

"...Did you?"

"No, but he was convinced that they had changed. Then, that dragon," Tibarn spat, "showed up and attacked Shoen and I. Mihara had been in a room, resting, and Sylvia – Mihara's beorc friend – said she was gone. So, I sent her and Ranulf after Mihara. However...this weather is sure to slow them down."

"No fear of being struck by lightning, huh?"

"That's the least of my worries right now..." Tibarn's voice choked up slightly. "I will not lose either of my children."

"Well, you don't have to worry about Shoen, Tibarn. The best two healers in Gallia are watching him, not to mention Ike and the Lion King himself."

Tibarn turned to Naesala and lashed out. "Don't say 'best healers' to me! The damned 'best healers' in Goldoa 'did their best' to try and save Zelena!! Dheginsea himself said they were the 'best healers', but my wife. Still. Died!! I can't just sit by and wait for the news, whether it's about him being fine or him slipping!! I am sick and tired of that damned goddess toying with my family! She won't die like how Ike killed her...it was too swift. She will die like how I killed Izuka. Everyone will be able to hear her scream...and I will be able to feel her pain, however goddesses feel pain."

Naesala narrowed his eyes at the Hawk King. "...Tibarn, you really need to learn to just look on the positive side of life."

Tibarn growled in his throat. "You wouldn't think like that if you'd been what I've been through. I lost my wife, my daughter, and my son within eight years. At last, over twenty years later, I've gotten both of them back. I lost most of my people from that damnable 'blood pact'..." Naesala flinched with guilt. "So, Naesala, would you be able to look me in the eye and tell me to look on the positive side of life if the woman you loved was killed? If Leanne was killed? Along with," Tibarn looked at him with a knowing look, "the child I know she's carrying?"

Naesala looked at Tibarn with shock. Then, he scoffed. "I should've guessed you would be the first one to figure it out."

"So, Naesala...would you still be able to tell me that?"

Naesala fell silent. "...More than likely...no. Still, Tibarn, you're a much stronger person than myself. Even though you fell into a state of shock after Shoen disappeared...and even though you completely fell apart inside, you managed to keep going...for the sake of your people. No doubt, if that happened to me...I would've given in to my grief."

"...Yes. Still, I wouldn't wish what had happened to me on anyone – laguz, beorc, or branded."

"Right. So, let's go kill ourselves a goddess, okay?"

"Yeah. Tearing someone's head off – especially Ashera's – is just what I need right now."

XxXxXxX

Mihara looked up at the sky. The rain was letting up and she hadn't seen any lightning, nor heard any thunder lately. Maybe it's safe to fly again.

The young laguz moved under a tree that partially sheltered her from the still-steady rain. Then, she shifted. It wasn't the greatest feeling – her feathers were soaked except for her wings. She gave a violent shudder to try and shake some of the water off and was successful. She walked back to the path, leaving prints in the mud, and beat her wings powerfully to send herself up in the air. She carefully maneuvered through the trees and made it up above the treeling successfully. She flew forward, slower than she had been when she had first set out. When she pointed herself in the right direction, she saw the end of the storm on the horizon, followed by the sinking sun. It was nearing nightime already?! Great. Well, I guess I'll fly as far as I can until I can't see. Then, I'll settle in somewhere for the night and hope Ranulf doesn't catch up to me.

-Even though I want him to.-

So, Mihara picked up the pace slightly, flying towards the ending clouds and rain. Aside from the rain dripping on the plants and splashing everywhere, it was eerily quiet. Although, Mihara didn't know why she expected anyone to be out and about. Of course it would be quiet.

Suddenly, Mihara felt someone nearby. She looked at the ground, scanning it for anyone who might be along it. She looked at the path and in-between the trees. She didn't see anything, but she felt like she was being watched...

-There!-

Mihara caught sight of a cloaked figure in the middle of the trees. It was looking up at Mihara. Something compelled her to fly lower and down towards the figure. It stood, unmoving and silent, watching her carefully. Mihara, at last, touched the ground, and looked at the figure, not shifting back to her half-form. "...Who are you?" she demanded.

The figure reached up and took off the hood of the cloak. It was a female, young in age – about sixteen. She had crystal blue eyes that stared at Mihara with a slight glaze to them and she shook her long waist-length light green hair free from the cloak. She said, in a kind and pleasant voice, "Goddess Ashera has sent me to meet you, Hawk Princess, daughter of Tibarn and Phoenics."

Mihara frowned. Ashera hadn't told her of this. "...What's your name?"

"I am called Irea."

"Irea, huh...?"

"Please, come with me. I shall take you to Goddess Ashera."

"She's here? I was told to go to the Tower of Guidance..."

Irea shook her head, ever so slightly. "She is there, but I have been sent to get you. Goddess Ashera will transport us back to her."

Mihara hesitated. Now she couldn't find little ways to leave a trail for Ranulf...but still, she had no choice. She had to follow Irea back to Ashera... She shifted back to her half-form. "...Okay. Where do we go?"

"This way." Irea turned and began walking.

Once more, Mihara paused. Without a backward glance, she followed after Irea.

XxXxXxX

Ranulf ran harder, pushing himself to his limit. He had Sylvia on his back once again ("Oh, ugh! Wet cat...!") and was running though the rain now that it was lightening up. He had Mihara's necklace around his neck, keeping it safe while he ran. He and Sylvia watched their surroundings carefully in case Mihara left them another clue ('clue' being majorly decided by Ranulf instead of her being attacked). Most of the way, however, they had seen nothing left by her. Once or twice, though, they had found a few footprints in the mud and followed the direction they were last headed. Ranulf took notice that Mihara had purposefully gone out of her way to go around the heart of Serenes. Maybe Ashera didn't have complete control of her...yet. Suddenly, he caught scent of the laguz.

"Sylvia...! I think I can smell her again!" he reported.

"That's great!" Sylvia beamed at the back of Ranulf's head. "Was she still headed this direction?"

"Yeah-!" Ranulf suddenly screeched to a halt, nearly throwing Sylvia off by how sudden it was.

"Ahh-! Why'd you stop so quickly...?" Sylvia demanded, catching her breath.

Ranulf sniffed the air carefully and turned his head upward. "She took off into the air...but she's still heading the same direction."

This time, Ranulf cautiously ran forward. Farther up, he could catch the faintest scent that didn't belong to Mihara. Still, Mihara's scent was extremely fresh. Maybe they had caught up to her...

As her scent got stronger and stronger, Ranulf's ears caught the sound of two sets of feet squishing on the wet ground. He called loudly, "Mihara!!"

The two sets of feet stopped. Ranulf's heart jumped. Had he caught up to Mihara?! Still...who was the other person with her? Whoever it was must've been a branded since he or she did not smell of either laguz or beorc.

Sylvia whispered in Ranulf's ear, "Is that her?"

"I think so," he responded.

He drifted off the path, following Mihara's scent and the footprints that he could now see. At last, she came into view, her back to Ranulf, a strange young teenager facing them with watchful eyes. The Gallian warrior stopped several feet away and Sylvia quickly slid off his back. "Mihara!" she cried.

Mihara flinched, but didn't turn to face them. Sylvia took a cautious step forward. "...Mihara?"

The female laguz's head turned downward. She still didn't turn. Ranulf walked farther than Sylvia. "Mihara? What is it?"

Mihara brought her head back up. Slowly, she turned around. Her red eyes locked onto her two friends. Sylvia gasped softly when she saw them and Ranulf's eyes widened with concern. My dream...it's...slowly coming true...

Silently, Mihara looked back and forth at the two. Please, you two...don't come any closer... I don't want anyone to hurt either of you...

Ranulf tried again, taking one more step forward. "Mihara-"

Suddenly, Irea stood between them, her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Come no closer, Ranulf of Gallia."

Ranulf growled lowly and crouched. "Who are you?"

"None of your concern. I warn you again: Come no closer."

"I'm not leaving here without Mihara. Step aside if you know what's good for you," he warned.

Irea reached into her cloak and brought out a powerful tome of light. "Leave. I will not say it again."

Ranulf leapt at the branded girl standing in his way, claws out and ready to attack. Swiftly, before he could even tell what happened, Irea cast a spell that shot at him and knocked him back to the ground.

Mihara's eyes widened and a knot formed in her throat. Ranulf...!

"Ranulf of Gallia, you have no chance. Stand down."

Ranulf pushed himself up, locking eyes with Irea, growling with warning. "Get out of my way."

With no warning, Irea reached into her cloak once more and brought out a rexcaliber tome. She flipped it out and above them, the spell activated. Seconds later, there was a battle screech from the skies, Tibarn shooting down at the younger girl. Irea leapt out of the way, then cast the magic again. This time, a raven crowed loudly and fell a few feet into the treeline. It was Naesala. Both birds flew to Ranulf's side.

"Who is this girl?" Naesala inquired.

"No idea. She's stopping me from getting any closer to Mihara," Ranulf replied.

Sylvia suddenly called, "Mihara! Why won't you answer me?! Why don't you do anything?!"

Mihara remained silent. Sylvia, I wish I could answer you, but...Ashera's keeping me from saying anything...! Please, stay away... You...Ranulf, Dad, and Naesala... I can sense that Irea's really strong...

"...Mihara?" Tibarn called cautiously. "Why are you with this girl?"

Irea stepped between the four and Mihara once more. "She is going to Goddess Ashera. Mere laguz and beorc like you aren't going to stop her."

Tibarn flexed his talons. "You want to bet? I will tell you once, girl: Step aside."

Irea cradled her rexcaliber tighter. Then, to Mihara, she said, "Take four more steps backwards, Mihara of Phoenics."

Unable to disobey, Mihara stepped backwards. Once she did, a glowing symbol on the ground lit up. She looked down at it with shock, as did the other four. Irea, still watching the three warriors, stepped back as well. The light intensified. Seeing this, Tibarn shot at Irea. However, just as his talons were about to stab into her, she and Mihara both vanished. Tibarn looked around with alarm, as did the remaining three.

"They just...disappeared?" Sylvia whispered.

"...Yeah, they did..." Naesala answered her.

For the second time that day, Ranulf's hair stood up on end and his body shook a little from his rage. Tibarn landed on the ground, his body trembling much more than Ranulf's. He looked around for a moment before shoving off the ground again and flying above the trees. "Are you still heading on to the Tower?" Naesala demanded.

"Of course I am. That girl is with Ashera. They used a warp spell. There's no question about it. She's with Ashera now."

"Wait, Tibarn!" Ranulf looked up at the Hawk King. "I'm going with you!"

"Running or flying?" he merely asked.

"Flying," Ranulf replied without hesitation. He knew that when Tibarn flew as fast as he could that he couldn't keep up on the ground. Even though he didn't want to, he had to get to Mihara faster. Flying was faster.

"Alright." Tibarn lowered himself again and he carefully wrapped his talons around Ranulf, who shifted to his half-form so that he could be easier to carry. Tibarn turned to Naesala. "Take Sylvia back. This will be dangerous."

"...Fine. Leave her to me."

"Thank you, Naesala."

Naesala grunted out, "Be careful, okay?"

Tibarn nodded and flew back up, Ranulf clutching Tibarn's talons for dear life. Naesala touched ground and let go of his full form. Glancing at Sylvia, he asked her, "You mind if we just go to Serenes for now?"

"Uh...n-no. That's fine..." Sylvia trailed off, looking at the ground.

Naesala inhaled deeply and exhaled much more slowly. "So you don't know any magic?"

"No..."

"...When we leave Serenes, I know where a girl is that can teach you. She isn't far away at the moment."

Sylvia looked up at the former Raven King. "...Is it Ilyana?"

"Ah, you know her?"

"Umm...not quite. But still, she'll teach me?" Sylvia's voice sounded a little more hopeful. "Because...I want to be able to help, too. I don't want to babied."

"Yeah, she'll help. She's a...kind girl." Naesala began walking. "Let's go."

XxXxXxX

IMPORTANT NOTE: The part where Tibarn snapped at Naesala, saying where he couldn't stand people telling him that the best healers were helping Shoen and freaking out because that what was told him when Zelena was dying...yeah, if anyone is reading ElementalGuardianProtector's story, this will eventually show up. However, EGP CAME UP WITH IT FIRST. She did not steal it from me, haha! ...She wouldn't dare (evil wink). I read it in her notebook and it made me go all fangirly (what can I say? I'm a sucker for Tibarn) and since Shoen was injured, I thought it was just perfect. Tibarn's an antsy daddy, but he cares! So, anyway, this is good ol' EGP's idea!

On other notes... Oh, no, Mihara has disappeared along with Irea! What is Irea's real role? Is she just a servant for Ashera or something more? Will Tibarn and Ranulf be able to reach Mihara and Ashera before Ashera taps into this bond of Mihara's? Will Karoline and Stasik stand in the way? Is Leanne truly pregnant?!

...Well, anyone who made a relationship with Leanne and Naesala and got it up to 'A' should know that answer...

Find out next time! ...Not ALL of those may necessarily be answered, but still...!

Please review!