Hello people I'm back with another chapter of lost hope. I have just one thing I need to say before we begin. Okay so I may be going on a short hiatus until June mainly cause of exams and stuff coming up. I'll try to get something up by the nineteenth but I make no promises. Now with that out of the way enjoy the chapter.

The endless night grew darker as the light scattered about the land faded with the setting sun. Amidst the darkness in an ocean of grass sits the glow of a crackling flame. Six girls and a pegasus lay asleep scattered about around the fire. A young blonde prince sits by the fire as a lookout for potential danger.

Owain gazed into the glow of the fire before him his mind wandering. Flashes of the earlier battle buzzed through his head. His opponent in particular was the thing on his mind. They just seemed so familiar to him from the way they spoke to the way they fought.

Who exactly was that person? Owain asked himself.

He then pondered for a few minutes and thought to himself, Could it be that that person is… Owain then shook his head, No, that's not possible. I mea-

The sound of footsteps broke the prince out of his thoughts. Somewhat startled he jumped to his feet and readied his weapon.

"Nightly creatures beware for I can not guarantee safety if you are to approach" Owain said getting into a combat stance while he scanned the area around him.

"Calm down it's just me" A female voice spoke up.

"Oh hey Lucina" Owain said watching the blue haired princess emerge into the light as he relaxed his guard. "What're you doing up? My shift doesn't end for another ten minutes"

"I guess I just couldn't sleep" Lucina said. "I'm concerned about Ylisse"

"I'm sure Ylisse is doing ok" Owain reassured her. "I mean the others were there not too long ago"

"Yeah I know but the feeling still plagues me" Lucina said. "What about you? You seem troubled"

"I was just thinking of the battle earlier today" Owain said. "Speaking of which how are your injuries holding up?"

"I'm fine but you needn't be concerned about me" Lucina said. "Anyway you should get some rest Owain I'll take over from here."

"Are you sure? Those injuries still look pretty bad" Owain inquired looking at the somewhat bandaged gash on Lucina's abdomen.

"Like I said I'm fine now go get some rest" Lucina said walking past Owain and patting him on the shoulder.

"Alright thanks Lucina" Owain smiled at her and walked towards the darkness.

"Think nothing of it" Lucina smiled back.

(In an unknown location)

Morgan panted heavily as she put her hand on the stone wall beside her in order to steady herself. Her cloak was torn in several places. Blood streamed down the torn clothing and dripped to the floor.

"Damn it" she muttered to herself, "I should count myself lucky I'm alive."

Morgan clenched her fist as she winced slightly in pain.

"I apologize my lord Grima I will not fail you again!" The young tactician declared as she glared into the dark horizon.

(With Severa)

The pitch black darkness of night began to fade as small glimmers of light barely shone through the dark clouds. Small patches of light glittered across the ground somewhat offsetting the endless night.

"Hey Severa wake up! Come on wake up!" Severa heard a familiar voice yell out.

Severa then slowly opened her eyes as she awoke to the darkness around her. Yawning she sat up and rubbed her eyes.

"What do you want Cynthia?" The twin tailed girl asked to the young blue haired girl sitting beside her in slight annoyance.

"Do you have a brush I can borrow?" Cynthia asked.

"What?! No! Why don't you just use your own?" Severa retorted and getting visibly annoyed.

"Come on please! I dropped and lost mine in the forest yesterday" Cynthia pleaded.

"Not my problem" Severa said as she ascended to her feet and began to roll up the piece of cloth she was sleeping on.

Cynthia then rose to her feet and said, "Fine I'll go ask Lucy or Kjelle. I'm sure they'll help me"

With that, Cynthia began storming off.

"Wait Cynthia why do need a brush anyway? Your hair looks fine to me" Severa asked the young pegasus knight.

Cynthia stopped and turned around to answer, "it isn't for me silly. It's for Crystal"

"For your pegasus?" Severa asked.

"Yep" Cynthia nodded cheerfully.

Severa then looked over at Crystal who was happily eating a few apples. Severa knew Crystal once belonged to Cynthia's mother Sumia whom Severa's own mother, Cordelia, was good friends with. Both their mothers were part of the famed pegasus knights squadron that once protected Ylisse. Though now they're just spoken of in legend, Sumia and Cordelia being the last ones before dying valiantly in battle.

Severa then caught herself thinking back to when she helped her mother groom her pegasus.

-Flashback-

"So you want to move your hand in a circular motion like this okay" A woman with long red hair in pegasus knight armour said as she combed her pegasus.

"Now you try" The woman said as she handed the rubber comb to a young Severa. "Brush that spot right there" The woman said pointing to a spot on the pegasus's back.

"Okay" The little girl nodded cheerfully taking the comb and began mimicking her mother. "Like this?"

"No Severa that's the wrong way" The woman said, "You want to do it clockwise"

"This is hard!" The young girl pouted as she stopped and crossed her arms. "Who cares about cleaning this stupid horse anyway!" She continued in visible frustration.

"Now now Severa" The woman said, "The pegasus isn't a 'stupid horse'. They are a pegasus knights' trusted partner and as such must be properly cared for"

"Now why don't you try again" Severa's mother continued.

"But what if I do it wrong again?" Severa asked looking up at her mother.

Her mother simply smiled and said "You won't do it wrong again"

"How do you know?" Severa asked innocently.

"Well because you're my daughter" The woman said, "Now go on"

"Okay" Severa responded as she did as she was told.

"That's very good Severa" Her mother complimented. "See you're a pro already"

Severa smiled as she brushed the pegasus, "Yeah thanks mommy"

-End Flashback-

Mother, Severa thought as tears began to run down her face.

"Severa are you crying?" Cynthia asked with a quizzical look. "Did I say something wrong?"

Severa quickly wiped away the tears and moved her head in a stuck up manner, "I'm not crying! My allergies are just acting up!"

"Really? Cause it looked lik-"

"I said I wasn't crying ok!" Severa yelled cutting her off now somewhat flustered. The young mercenary then reached into her pouch and pulled out a hair brush.

"Anyway here" Severa said as she handed the brush to Cynthia.

"But I thought you said" Cynthia said in slight confusion.

"Just take it, you care for your pegasus right?" Severa said.

"Wow thanks Severa" Cynthia said graciously as she grabbed the brush. "I'll be sure to give it back good as new"

"Yeah whatever" Severa deadpanned. "Now just leave me alone"

"Alright" Cynthia said before running off to her mount.

"Geez that girl" Severa said as she watched Cynthia runoff.

"Well I guess I should finish packing up" Severa said as she turned to see Noire standing a fair distance behind her.

"T-t-that was sweet" Noire said with a smile.

"Oh shut it Noire" Severa said as she finished packing her things. "Anyway what do you want?" Severa asked slightly annoyed.

"Uhh Severa c-c-could y-yo-"

"Walk to the bathroom with you" Severa sighed finishing Noire's sentence.

"Y-yeah" Noire nodded.

"Alright but seriously Noire you really need to learn to do this by yourself" Severa said.

"I know I'm sorry" Noire said timidly.

"It's fine let's just go" Severa said as she began walking towards the forest.

"Thanks Severa" Noire said as she followed the orange haired mercenary.

(With Nah)

"Come on where is it?" Nah said as she sifted through a giant pile of wood and dirt.

"Hello Nah" Nah heard a female voice speak up from behind her, "we should be going soon. Are you looking for something?"

The young manakete turned around to see Lucina standing behind her.

"yeah something important" Nah answered and immediately went back to sifting.

"What is it? May I be of assistance?" Lucina asked.

"It's just a painting and I can handle it" Nah answered.

"Please allow me to help" Lucina insisted. "You look lik-"

"I said I can handle it; I'm not a kid y'know" Nah said cutting her off.

"Forgive me I didn't mean it like that" Lucina said.

"It's fine" Nah said before wincing in slight pain. The young manakete then looked at her left arm to see a splinter wedged deep into her skin.

"Is something wrong?" Lucina said noticing the young girl's distress. The young exalt quickly walked over to Nah and bent down next to her.

"Here let me see" Lucina said as she grabbed Nah's injured arm and examined it.

"Hey what are you-"

"it's just a splinter" Lucina said in relief, "hold on Let me just..."

Nah winced in slight pain just as Lucina carefully pulled out the tiny wooden dagger.

"There, better now?" Lucina asked letting go of Nah's arm and flicking away the piece of wood.

"Yeah thanks Lucina" Nah said flexing her wrist a bit.

"Good, now you said you were looking for a painting right?" Lucina asked.

"Yeah it's a painting of my parents" Nah answered, "It's all…." She trailed off as tears began to run down her face.

"I-It's a-a-all I h-have left of them" Nah finally managed to get out as she started crying.

"I'm so sorry" Lucina said empathetically.

The young exalt then looked down at her hip where Falchion was sheathed. Lucina immediately found herself thinking of her parents and how much she missed them.

She placed a hand on Nah's shoulder, "I know how you feel Nah but we have to stay strong"

"I-I know" Nah said wiping away the tears, "I'm a dragon after all"

"Alright now let's get searching shall we?" Lucina said trying to lighten the mood; as she began sifting through the pile of wood and dirt.

"Yeah" Nah smiled as she did the same.

(With Kjelle)

"Hyaaa!" Kjelle cried out thrusting her lance forward into a tree.

Kjelle then looked at the point she stabbed only to be dissatisfied she didn't pierce straight through the wood.

"Damnit that's not good enough!" The young knight yelled in frustration.

Kjelle then took a deep breath, "Okay calm down Kjelle just remember your training with mother"

-Flashback-

"Ahhh!" A young Kjelle cried out as she was forcefully knocked onto the floor. She sat up only to be met with a practice lance just centimeters from her face. A tall woman with short messy red hair in red knight armour stood over her.

"Looks like you win again mother" Kjelle sighed, "I'll never be as strong as you"

"Now don't say that!" The woman said retracting the lance, "I ain't rasin' no quitter you understand me!"

"Yes ma'am!" Kjelle said getting to her feet.

"Good now let's try again" she ordered as she walked into position and got into a fighting stance.

Kjelle nodded while doing the same. The two warriors let out a war cry as they charged each other.

"Remember to keep focus and not show weakness" The woman instructed as the two met each other's blows.

"Right" Kjelle said as she thrust her lance forward only for her mother to catch it with ease.

"No put more force into it and your stance is off" Her mother said letting go of the lance and thrusting her own.

Kjelle narrowly dodged the strike and leapt back. She quickly readjusted herself.

"Hyaaa!" she cried out as she again charged her mother.

-End Flashback-

Okay just relax and focus, Kjelle thought getting into a proper combat stance.

"Haaah!" The young knight cried out thrusting her lance straight through the tree and out the other end.

She pulled back her lance and admired the giant hole in the tree she made.

"Okay that should be enough for now" Kjelle said as assumed a more passive stance. "The others must be ready to go by now"

The young knight then began walking back to join the others.

(somewhat later)

"Thanks again for helping me find the picture of my parents" Nah said as she and Lucina went to rejoin with the others.

"It was my pleasure" Lucina smiled down at the young girl.

"Anyway we should probably be on our way" Lucina said, "there are people counting on us"

"Yeah" Nah nodded.

The two girls then stopped as everyone else in the group began to come into view.

"Okay is everyone all set?" Lucina asked looking at the people around her.

"Yep!" Cynthia said cheerfully her pegasus neighing in agreement.

"My partnered fang and I feel rejuvenated and my sword hand now hungers" Owain declared.

"Er right" Lucina said sweat dropping, "anyone else?"

"Yeah we're ready" Severa said, "right Noire?" She looked to the archer beside her.

"Y-yeah" Noire said.

"I'm all set to" Kjelle said.

"Good now let us be off" Lucina said as she began marching north while everyone else followed the blue haired exalt.

(Later)

"So what's in Regna Ferox anyway?" Nah asked Lucina as the group marched towards their next destination.

"Well hopefully more allies" Lucina answered, "It is a warrior based nation valuing strength above all else"

"It is also a valued ally of Ylisse" Lucina continued.

"I see" Nah said.

"Yeah and one of our friends is actually from Feroxi" Cynthia interjected, "been awhile since we've seen him though"

"Inigo right?" Owain then joined the conversation.

"Yep" Cynthia nodded.

"Ughh! That idiot!" Severa said with visible disgust upon hearing the boy's name. "Don't tell me he's joining us!"

"For once I agree" Kjelle said.

"Come on you guys he's not that bad" Cynthia said.

"Yes we must not speak of our comrades like that" Lucina added.

"Yeah whatever" Severa and Kjelle said in unison.

"I'm confused is there something wrong with this guy or something?" Nah asked in confusion.

"No but he's well a very passionate man" Lucina said trying not to sound harsh.

"Yeah I'll say" Severa said somewhat sarcastically.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Nah asked.

"Trust me you'll know when you meet him" Severa answered.

"Alright if you say so" Nah said.

(At The Border Wall)

"AAHCHOO!" A boy in a blue mercenary uniform with black hair suddenly sneezed.

"You okay Inigo?" The taguel next to him asked.

The two boys were sitting atop the giant snow covered fortress looking out for any sign of risen.

"Yeah I'm fine" Inigo Replied wiping his nose, "it really is cold out here though"

"Heh not for me" The taguel said happily, "I feel fine"

"Well that's because of all that fur" Inigo argued, "But anyway let's just focus on the task at hand"

"Yeah" The taguel agreed.

Yeah a slow one this time. I mean after an intense battle it's always good to just slow down and build the relationship of the characters y'know. I really enjoyed writing this chapter especially the Severa segment because TSUNNNNNNNDEREEEEE! I also enjoyed writing the sully and kjelle flashback. anyway that's all from me I hope you enjoyed and as always take care.