Sorry for the late update! I promise I'll be more punctual in future, but this chapter just hit me with writer's block about halfway through. I'm pretty proud of this chapter though. As always, I'm open to some criticism, as long as you don't flame me. Anyway, first major appearance of the OC introduced a couple chapters ago too. So that's good. But enough of this. Read the chapter!

Onwards!

Chapter 6

"... And that about covers it. Sorry Ylisseans, but I'm not in control of the country now, and Basilio is unlikely to help you until you earn his respect." The Khan Flavia sat before them, lounging on her throne. "But, if you help me win the tournament, I will help you in your struggle against Plegia."

"So..." Kit mused, after a few seconds of silence. "All we have to do is win in this tournament, and you'll help us?"

"Certainly." Flavia replied.

"Do you think we can do it, Chrom?" Kit enquired, turning to the prince. Chrom thought for a minute or two.

"I don't see many options, to be honest. This is our best shot. Lead the way, Kit."

The colosseum was packed. There were cheering crowds on all sides. Mercenaries of various nations stood on the other side of the arena.

Kit stood, Shepherds had only been allowed a small force. Six at most, Flavia had told them.

"Right." He said, finally. "Frederick, Sully and Stahl. I need you as my cavalry team. The fastest warriors in the arena." They saluted. "I'll team up with Lissa to keep everyone alive." Lissa saluted, with a warm smile directed to Kit. "And Chrom?"

"Kit?"

"Lead the charge."

The smaller squad stepped into the arena, confident and ready. The enemy force outnumbered them slightly, but Kit was unfazed. As they took their positions, Flavia called:

"Warriors of Ylisse! Win me my throne back!"

A booming voice from the other side of the arena responded:

"Mercenaries! Keep her off my throne!"

Kit turned to Chrom. "The cavalry will need us to take care of those axemen there, as they have a weapon advantage over their lances. Other than that, we're defensive." Kit looked towards the enemy and the blood drained from his face. "Wait. Is that... Marth!?"

Chrom looked to the swordsman in the centre of their forces. He grimaced.

"Yeah. Damn. He's a skilled swordsman, too."

"We may win if we-" Kit was cut short by the blare of trumpets, the signal of the start of battle. Instantly, Kit focused on his targets. In less than a second, he launched a crackling ball of lightning across the arena, slamming into an axeman's chest. He collapsed backwards noiselessly.

"Go!" Kit yelled, and the Shepherds charged forwards. As he ran forwards, he started analysing his next foe. Lack of armour. Fast, but sacrifices defence. Axe. A slow, heavy weapon. He's going to dodge and counterattack for the best chance at hitting. The best thing to do would be to feint.

Kit feinted a sword strike to the left, causing his opponent to leap right. Kit quickly pulled his sword back from the fake attack, slicing at his now-vulnerable opponent. He looked left, seeing Chrom dispatch his foe as well. Frederick's cavalry then swept past, slicing through almost all the warriors. Now only two soldiers and Marth remained. One lauched a throwing axe, and Kit only noticed too late. It smashed into his left shoulder. Kit glanced at it briefly, then charged forwards.

"Kit!" He heard Lissa yell. "Don't run into a fight with that kind of injury!" He sprinted on regardless. Another throwing axe lodged in his leg, but he sliced his sword through his now-unarmed opponent. Turning, he launched a blast of thunder at the final warrior.

Finally, he turned to see Marth fighting Chrom. Both swordsmen moved with blinding speed, their outlines blurring as they battled. Kit's eyes could barely keep up.

Their blades met in one enormous, final collision. A shockwave blew through the arena, flaring Kit's coat out behind him. He ran towards the swordsman, who seemed shocked for a second, then regained his composure. Kit fought hard. He sliced at Marth's head, and he blocked and parried high, then lunging at Kit, which he only just managed to block. Marth's speed was astonishing. Kit could only just keep up. Every time he blocked and tried to counter, Marth was already attacking again.

Kit felt Marth's blade land a glancing blow where it should have solidly collided. Almost in slow motion, he watched Marth's blade inching closer. The tip pierced his shoulder, a small red spray bursting from the wound. He felt the metal puncture the back of his shoulder too. His sword arm hung limp, weapon clatterning to the floor. Marth started to retract the blade. Kit's hand shot out, clasping the weapon.

Chrom understood. He stepped forwards, holding the Falchion out, to Marth's neck.

"Victory." Kit managed from gritted teeth, letting the sword go. He slumped to the ground as the sword slid out of his shoulder.

"Kit!" Lissa yelled, rushing over to him. As his vision darkened, he saw her face, panicked and worried.

Kit's eyes opened slowly. Both shoulders were in agony. His leg didn't feel much better. He managed to sit up slowly.

"You're okay!" A familiar voice called. He looked over to see Lissa, a huge, relieved smile on her face. Kit couldn't help but smile too. Impulsively, she threw her arms around him. She stepped back when he winced.

"Sorry." She smiled sheepishly. "Shoulders?"

"Yeah."

Her expression became more concerned.

"You really shouldn't do stuff like this, you know. You took some pretty bad hits."

Kit shrugged it off. "I've lived so far. Besides, you can always heal me, right?"

Lissa threw her hands up, exasperated. "There are some things a staff can't heal, Kit! You're going to get yourself killed saving other people!"

Kit smiled. "Not a bad way to go, though."

Lissa stared at him. "But..." She sagged. "I don't want you to die."

"Lissa..."

"Kit, listen. You're a... A dear friend to me, okay? I don't like people dying. You especially."

Kit's eyes widened. "Are you saying what I think you're saying...?"

"Yes, Kit! You've saved my life at least five times already, and I've done the same for you!" The words were flowing out now, an outburst of emotion. "You're dependable and honest! When we went to the town together, that was the most fun I've had in ages! Just being around you makes me feel better..." She trailed off, seeing Kit's surprise. "Do you...?"

He recovered, and his smile came back. "I... Of course, Lissa! I just... Never knew you felt so strongly..."

"Well..." Lissa began. "At first I thought you were an idiot, but then I noticed why you took so many hits. Then I admired you. Then I..." She trailed off again.

"What?"

She sighed. "Oh, Kit, I-"

Chrom burst in. "Kit! There's someone in the Arena! He says he wants to fight you!"

Kit stood, once again, on the East-Khan's side of Arena Ferox. On the other side stood a huge warrior. He seemed larger than life, in thick armour as black as midnight. One hand held a black shield as tall as he was. The other held a monstrous, jagged sword.

Kit readied his own blade- it seemed as insignificant as a toothpick against this mountainous warrior.

"Who are you?" He called to the knight, as confidently as possible.

A voice like an avalanche replied: "I am the Black Knight. That is all you need to know. It is an honorary title, given to the holder of this blade. I have orders to eliminate you."

Trying to keep his voice from shaking, Kit replied: "So be it."

He charged at the knight, hoping his speed would give him the advantage he needed. He sliced and stabbed, dancing lightly round the monolith knight. None of his blows had any effect. He may as well have been attacking with a feather. As the knight's sword swung round noiselessly, Kit swung his own sword into a guard position. There was a frozen moment.

Splinters of metal whizzed through the air. Kit was left holding a mere handle and hilt. As the Black Knight's blade hit, Kit's vision exploded into black. Again.