Welcome back everyone to out next chapter! Last time we saw Marta, she was collecting fruit for the Caravan when she ran into Emerald, a ninja who was a member the the Vanguard's Special Unit, a group of seven women who worked under Marta.

Despite setting up a plan to send Alice and Decus up the river, Richter has now shown up to put a wrench in thier plans. With Emerald injuring her superior, will she, Marta and Tenebrae escape the determined man? We'll find out right now.


Emerald Bio

Hometown: Izoold

Country: Sylvarant

Age: 15

Height: 4'11"

Weight: 100 lbs.

Race: Human

Weapon: Jade Star (Giant Shiruken) and Kunai knives

Element: Wind


Grass Field Outskirts [Present Day]

This next part was quite a surprise. Not only has Richter returned, but a member of Marta's own Unit from the Vanguard showed up and is also a ninja to boot!

"No way, one of your Unit members is a ninja? Like Sheena?" Emil asked with amazement as he focused on that first before bringing up Richter. Sheena could only stare in disbelief for a moment.

"Yes. She's a skilled warrior when she puts her mind to it in spite of her anxiety and is also... well... kind of clumsy." Marta admitted while noting the comparisons between Emerald and Sheena. This earned at least a chuckle from everyone, minus Sheena, as they all knew her tendency to fall into pitfalls when she least expected it. Granted, it was more extreme then getting a coconut falling on your head, but it still stands.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny..." Sheena "laughed" sarcastically while rolling her eyes in annoyance. They NEVER treated Colette's clumsiness with ridicule, so why her? With that, Sheena cleared her throat to ask Marta an important question.

"Marta, you said Emerald's a ninja right? Where is she from?" Sheena asked the young girl as she never met any ninja that isn't from Mizuho. Granted, if she's around Marta's age, Sheena would have to been at least six years old before she was born, but she didn't hear anything about a new girl being born in the Village.

"She told me that she's from Izoold, however her father died just before she was born. She lived with her mother for a while until she was thirteen. Unfortunately, she lost her mother to a lone Desian crawling out of the water supposedly." Marta explained the young ninja's background while revealing what happened to her parents. Hearing how her mother died, Raine's face turned grim.

"A survivor from The Remote Island Human Ranch most likely..." Raine bitterly said with Marta, Emil and Tenebrae looking on in confusion.

"Marta told me and Tenebrae about the Desians and the Human Ranches, but I've never heard of a "Remote Island"." Emil said, recalling what Marta told him about what she knew.

"Specifically, there were four ranches. Iselia, Palmacosta and Asgard as well as an underwater ranch called Remote Island. We invaded that ranch to prevent an enemy from using the mana cannon, with us succeeding." Raine explained to the three who were unaware of things.

"If I had to guess, that one Desian must have barely escaped and ended up in Izoold. If we only knew..." Raine concluded as to her dismay, a stray Desian was responsible for the death of Emerald's mother.

"Raine, I don't think Emerald would blame you or anyone here. You couldn't have known about that Desian." Marta reassured the professor about what she thinks. Raine could only look on in surprise for a moment, but why does she look... guilty? How come?

"I... I hope you are right Marta." Raine replied with a sense of gratitude.

"What happened to the Desian?" Genis asked Marta, despite having a good feeling about what happened.

"Emerald said the people of Izoold executed him before he could hurt anyone else..." Marta replied bitterly with everyone taking this info in. After a moment of silence, Marta decided to continue Sheena's question.

"Oh! *Ahem* Sorry about getting off topic Sheena. In regards to where Emerald learned her skills, she mentioned a master of hers. A ninja wearing red supposedly taught her what he knew for two years before he left her, saying she has continue on her own path. Other then that, she didn't mention anything else other than he was called "Azumi"." Marta explained, revealing what little she learned from Emerald about her master. Hearing all of this shook Sheena to her core as she realized who Marta was referring to without even knowing.

'Kuchinawa...' Sheena thought to herself in regards to a member of Mizuho who left. While Sheena and Oboro hopes he will come home someday, she never knew where he went. Despite his bitterness toward her, Sheena understood why he was like this as she was inadvertently responsible for the death of his and Oboro's parents. She wonders even now if he's observing her.

'I never thought you would take a student...' Sheena thought more before asking Marta something else.

"What did Emerald think of her master?" Sheena questioned Marta as the young girl was taken aback.

"Well... Emerald said he was mysterious and formal with her. He's a strict, yet patient teacher and tried to help her with her anxiety the best he could." Marta continued, wondering about Sheena's curiosity about Emerald's master.

"It sounds like you know him." Tenebrae chimed in, curious about Sheena's questions herself.

"I was just wondering. Sorry about that Marta." Sheena apologized with Marta nodding in understanding. Lloyd could only smile in thought as it sounds like Kuchinawa is understanding what he and Sheena said to him when he left.

'I hope you found a meaning in living, Kuchinawa...' Sheena thought to herself in regards to her fellow Mizuho member. Maybe one day she will tell Marta about him, but not tonight.

"By the way Marta, you said Richter found you in the forest and that Emerald attacked him?" Emil asked Marta in regards to his mentor. He understood why Emerald attacked him and felt no resentment toward her, as the young boy himself did the same to protect Marta from him. He was relieved that Emerald didn't go out of her way to kill him though. Even know, he still trusts in Richter, seeing him as an older brother he never had in his life.

"Yes... to be honest, I never thought that she would do that, but that would lead into a very daunting moment for us..." Marta said as she and Tenebrae began to explain one of the most scary and thrilling moments in so far.


Forest Trail

Marta and Richter were surprised that Emerald, the most timid individual they've known, would attack the latter the way she did. Richter planted his axe in the ground to yank the kunai out of his arm and the other from his leg before casting a spell...

"First aid!" Richter shouted as his wounds healed and slowly got up as Emerald stood by Marta with her Shiruken at the ready. Richter was NOT happy about the sudden attack.

"What are you doing!?" Richter questioned Emerald for the sudden attack while glaring at her.

"I... I don't know what's going on! But... but Marta's not the kind of person who lies to people! Besides, if there's anyone you should be pursuing, it's Alice and Decus! They're trying to kill her!" Emerald said as she stuttered, yet stood her ground. Richter looked conflicted upon hearing this. This clued Marta in that something was up after all this time. Why DID Decus and Emerald act like Alice was still in the Vanguard as if nothing happened? She figured Brute would have had Alice's head for it by now.

"Wait... Richter? Didn't you tell Daddy about what happened weeks ago?" Marta questioned the man, wondering why he didn't tell what Alice did on the boat.

"I... wanted to confirm something. To see if the core can be removed from you non-lethally first. If not..." Richter said as he looked angry at himself. At that point, Marta understood what he meant and it's just as Tenebrae feared. He was going to kill her for Ratatosk's Core. As Tenebrae said, there's no way to remove it any other way, but it seems Richter doesn't know for sure yet. As much as this saddened Marta, she knew that escaping is the best plan right now. She may have trained and Emerald might be a trained ninja, but even together she knew they wouldn't stand a chance an experienced fighter like Richter.

"Emerald, I'll give you a chance to make up for what you did just now. Restrain Marta. Now..." Richter ordered Emerald with a firm, scary tone. He figured if he could frighten her, she would submit as he knew all about the Special Unit. However...

"I... I... I... I WILL NOT! YOU! YOU! YOU! BIG, MEAN, JERK!" Emerald shouted at the top of her lungs in a fearful, yet defiant gaze. Naturally, everyone present couldn't believe their ears. Even Richter didn't expect the most fearful member to be defiant. He even appeared to look... impressed?

'Emerald...' Marta thought to herself in regards to Emerald standing up to Richter.

"If... if you want to hurt Marta... so badly..." Emerald stuttered as she quickly pulled out a... bomb!? Marta was wondering what the kunoichi planned to do with it?

"You'll have to catch us first!" Emerald shouted as she threw the bomb down, creating a smokescreen blinding Richter. She then grabbed Marta's hand and ran off the path trail.

After a minute or two, the two girls caught their breath as they hid in the shadowy part of the forest.

"That was something..." Tenebrae chimed in as he poofed in front of the two, impressed by Emerald's quick thinking.

"Emerald... you didn't have to do that..." Marta said in worry as this act just made Emerald look like a traitor. Richter could easily put a hit on her now.

"As I said. You're my friend and I'd take you over those who want to hurt you!" Emerald shouted, reassuring Mart of her choice. However, the three were interrupted as they saw a tree get sliced down.

"Marta! Tenebrae! Emerald!" Richter shouted as he made his way to the three as he caught a glimpse of them, ready to catch them.

"How did he find us!?" Emerald shouted in disbelief as her smokescreens were foolproof and he shouldn't have pinpointed them that quickly.

"Lady Marta! Emerald! Run!" Tenebrae shouted in alarm as he and the two girls made a break for it with Richter in hot pursuit. The two ran though the foliage as fast as they could while Tenebrae took to the skies, but the man chasing them kept up the pace just as much. Emerald grabbed another bomb and threw it down before moving to the left. Yet they still kept running, hoping Richter would trip or run into a tree to stun him.

"Emerald! Where are we going!?" Marta yelled to her friend as they kept moving at a fast pace.

"I don't know! Hopefully until we lose him!" Emerald replied as she looked back and for a moment, he was gone until...

"Hahhh!" Richter lunged in front of the two and swung his weapons down at the two...

*CLANG* CLANG*

The two girls quickly blocked his weapons with their own as they had them out and then...

"Hyahhhh!" Marta let out as she pushed her spinner into his axe.

"BACK OFF!" Emerald cried out as she punshed her shiruken into his sword.

"Agh!" Richter grunted as he fell onto his back and with that the two girls began to run again. Not that it helped much as he got up in only a minute and started chasing them again.

As the two girls ran, they saw what appeared to be a large lakebed up ahead. Marta cursed their luck as they can't swim through there as Richter will either jump in after them or wait on the other side for them. Emerald's eyes lit up as she pulled out two light blue kunai from her pouch and started to aim.

"Emerald! What are you doing!?" Marta questioned the ninja as the latter threw her weapons into the edge of the water, forming small platforms of ice. This surprised the young girl as she instantly got an idea what Emerald wanted them to do.

"Marta! Jump on!" Emerald shouted as she and Marta lept onto the ice platforms and thanks to their forward momentum, started surfing their way across the massive lakebed. Richter came out around the time the girls made their way across the water and came to a sudden stop to avoid running in the water, staring on in disbelief as he didn't expect this of all things.

"Whoa!" Marta cried out as she kept her balance while avoiding some of the rocks sticking out of the water.

"Wha! Whoa! Ah! Whoa!" Emerald cried as she did the same until the two reached the other side and jumped off to safely. With that, the two girls caught their breath for a moment before they started to laugh. Marta had to admit that despite the danger, the fact that they were surfing on ice across the lake was exciting!

"I can't believe we did that!" Marta replied in a fit of laughter.

"Yeah! And the best part..." Emerald followed up as she turned to see Richter far across the lake.

"We're over here and you're over there! We'll be long gone by the time you get over here! Nyahhhh!" Emerald said in a taunt as she stuck her tongue out at Richter before he ran back into the forest.

"I think we're safe now..." Emerald said as Tenebrae, who flew across the lake, looked back as his eyes widened, his tail-like hand pointing back.

"I don't think so..." Tenebrae said as the girls looked back to see Richter running and jumping onto a stone in the lake before leaping far to another one. Seeing where the pettern will lead made Marta's eyes widen.

"RUN!" Marta shouted as they ran into the forest. She can't believe that Richter would take a risk and use those few stones in the lake as footholds to get across.

"I don't get it! How is he finding us!?" Emerald cried as Richter's absolutely determined to catch them, no matter the risk.

"It must be Aqua!" Tenebrae chimed in, confusing the ninja as she doesn't know her.

"What do you mean!?" Marta asked as they kept running, hopefully to find a safe spot to hide. As they ran, she wondered what Aqua, who she has yet to see, is able to help Richter track them down.

"Me and Aqua can sense other Centurions and Lord Ratatosk! Aqua must be helping Richter pinpoint our location." Marta could only look with dread as she and the others kept moving.


Waterfall Cliffs

The three hid in a cave nearby a waterfall for a brief moment, noticing that Richter hasn't caught up yet. However, it was only a matter of time before he and Aqua track them down again.

"We can't keep running forever... Richter won't stop until he catches us." Marta said as she knew that Richter's not the type to just give up. He'll keep going until he's knocked out or the three of them are caught.

"Lady Marta's right. Fortunately, we do have some time to come up with a plan." Tenebrae said as he pondered for a moment and continued.

"While I could lead them away, they'll most likely pinpoint Lord Ratatosk's core sense I have a different presence, making the plan pointless..." Tenebrae bitterly said as they're now caught between a rock and a hard place.

"Um... I think I have an idea..."Emerald said as she pulled out some paper talismins with a unique pattern on them.

"Paper talismins?" Marta questioned the kunoichi, wondering how those will help them.

"They're not only paper talismins! These are like my kunai as they can be infused with any element or a source of energy! I made these while studying under Master Azumi! Maybe if we can cover these with the energy of the jewel on your forehead as well as Mr. Tenebrae, we can scramble this Aqua person's ability to find us!" Emerald explained to the two as they processed what Emerald was suggesting. Confusion and subterfuge. Could that work?

"I don't know if that's a good idea..." Tenebrae said in doubt. Granted, Emerald's trying to help, but what if Aqua can see through it and they get caught.

"At this point, it's better then nothing Tenebrae. What do we need to do Emerald?" Marta said as she right now, it was now or never if they want to get out of this.

"I have sixteen of these. We'll infuse eight of them with your jewel while we infuse the other eight with Mr. Tenebrae's essence. Then we can plant them around the area while we sneak away to another spot." Emerald explained as she infused one with the Core on Marta's forehead, giving the talismin a glow. After a moment...

"I... I can sense Lord Ratatosk's energy in that talismin! Quickly, before Richter arrives!" Tenebrae said in surprise as they began to infuse the other fifteen talismins, although Tenebrae felt weird having these things touch him, let alone sense his presence on these strips of paper. Moving quickly, the three planted the talismins in eight different spots around the area before heading to a new hiding spot: behind a giant tree where they'll be out of sight.

With everything in motion, Richter finally caught up before looking around the are in question. After a moment...

"Aqua!" Richter called out as a blue glow appeared and out of it appeared to be a young women. She had a pure white body with black and yellow colored arms and legs with fin like tips, a silver arm bracelet, fin like ears complete with a fish bone earing and her long blue hair splitting in two at the end resembling a fish tail. Marta and Emerald, taking a quick peek without being seen, are amazed by how the Centurion of Water looked.

'Wow, that's Aqua? She's surprisingly attractive for a fish lady...' Marta thought to herself as didn't think the Centurion of Water would be so pretty. Emerald had to rub her eyes for a moment in surprise. After a few seconds, they quickly hid behind the tree and held their breath for the moment of truth has arrived.

"Yes Master Richter!" Aqua replied as she hovered over to the person she called master.

"Marta and Tenebrae are hiding around here, some spots are obvious, but pinpoint them out just to be sure." Richter asked the Centurion with him, hoping to bring this farce to an end.

"Gladly!" Aqua said with a confident smile as she closed her eyes and began to seek out Marta and Tenebrae's presence. Marta and Emerald silently prayed as they're hoping the plan worked. So far... silence... more silence... even more silence... not even a footstep until...

"M-master Richter...?" Aqua asked Richter and sounded confused.

"What is it Aqua? Did you find Marta and Tenebrae?" Richter asked in concern at his Centurion looking worried.

"There... there are nine locations where I'm sensing them at..." Aqua said as Richter's eyes twitched. Having over heard this, Marta and Emerald internally cheered, but now they need to wait for Richter to choose an incorrect spot before making a break for it, however they prepared themselves if he choose this hiding spot for they'll have no choice but to fight for their lives if it came to it.

"What did you say? Nine spots!? Are you sure!?" Richter asked as his temper raised. Aqua wanted to say she was joking, but...

"I'm not kidding! Four trees, the waterfall, one of the rocks in the river, the cliffsides, everywhere." Aqua said nervously as her confidence faded away. At that point, Richter was losing it!

"Focus Aqua! Focus! Where are they!? Search for the strongest point!? We can't let them get away! Not twice!" Richter shouted at the top of his lungs that Marta and Emerald flinched for a moment, even Tenebrae couldn't help but flinch at the man's anger.

"Um... Um..." Aqua nervously let out as she doesn't truly know. After a minute or two...

"In there! The waterfall!" Aqua shouted as Richter instantly took action with Aqua following him through.

*Splash*

As soon as the splash rung, Marta, Emerald and Tenebrae took off before they noticed a thing amiss. They made sure to get as far away from Richter and Aqua as they could, hoping to find a safe spot out of the forest.

"RAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Was all Marta and the others heard from Richter, most likely furious that they managed to deceive him and Aqua along with a swarm of birds flying away from the loud yell. They were now safe for the moment as they continued running.

"Marta! If Ratatosk awakens and destroys everything, the blood of everyone in this world will be on your hands!" Richter screamed as Marta flinched from his voice echoing from where they are. At this point, Marta ignored Richter's attempt to guilt trip her as she trusts Tenebrae over him.

'Ratatosk won't destroy the world! I'm sure of it! I'm willing to bet my life on it!' Marta thought to herself as she, Tenebrae and Emerald made their way out of the forest.


Trail

Having made their way to a grass field, the girls finally have a chance to catch their breath as they took a look around. After a few moments, Marta's eyes lit up as she realized where they are.

"Is this!?" Marta said as she ran up to the hill top and saw the Caravan around the way Marta went into the forest.

"The caravan! We somehow made it back here!" Marta cheered before looking back at Emerald and running up to hug her.

"Thank you Emerald, you really saved my life back there!" Marta said with thankful sincerity as the kunoichi returned the gesture.

"It was my pleasure... to be honest, I didn't think I'd stand up to him, but... it felt good." Emerald said as the two girls broke the hug.

"But what will you do now? While we appreciate your aid, Richter will most likely get Brute to label you a traitor." Tenebrae asked Emerald as Marta's eyes widened. He was right. Emerald not only attacked Richter, but she helped Marta escape.

"Emerald... I'm sorry, it's my fault your in trouble now." Marta said as she lowered her head in shame.

"Don't be... besides, something tells me it's better this way, although I hope the others will be willing to take care of Alice and Decus, but if Chief Richter intends to hurt you now too, we'll have to get him taken care of too." Emerald replied, showing a degree of courage she didn't show in the past.

"Is it just me or have you always been this brave?" Marta chimed in, causing the ninja to blush in embarrassment.

"W-what do you mean?" Emerald replied, stuttering like nothing happened, which earned a giggle from Marta.

"I mean it's a good thing. You usually get intimidated when people raise their voice with you, but you stood your ground and fought for what you believed in. That's what I meant." Marta said as she leaned forward with her hands behind her back, smiling at Emerald all the while.

"Oh, thanks Captain Marta!" Emerald replied with a degree of pride welling up inside her heart, full of happiness.

"You don't need to call me captain. But where will you go now? You can't return to the Vanguard at this point." Marta asked in concern for what Emerald will do now.

"I'm sticking to the original plan. Try to convince the others and come help you when the time is right in two days time Cap- I mean, Marta!" Emerald replied, hoping the the rest of the Unit will help out.

"I'm curious about this Special Unit. Might I come along with you Emerald?" Tenebrae asked the kunoichi as she and Tenebrae stared back in surprise.

"Tenebrae!? Are you sure?" Marta replied as she didn't expect Tenebrae to offer himself up like this, let along to a girl he snarked at for her ineptitude a while ago.

"B-b-besides, I got this this Mr. Tenebrae. I'm sure I can convince them." Emerald defended herself as she hope to convince the others herself.

"I'm curious to see the rest of your squad. Plus, I can conceal myself and remain invisible. Besides, if something goes wrong, I can at least get you away from there for Lady Marta's sake." Tenebrae explained as the two girls took a moment to consider what he said.

"But, how will you find your way back Tenebrae?" Marta asked the Centurion as they always remained together ever since they left Palmacosta.

"I can easily find you as long as you have Lord Ratatosk's core. I'm sure you'll be fine for a while." Tenebrae reassured his friend in an attempt to ease her worries. With that, Marta nodded before facing Emerald.

"Okay. Emerald, will it be okay if Tenebrae went with you?" Marta asked her friend, in hopes she'll let Tenebrae come with her. At least she can rest knowing Tenebrae will watch out for her.

"S-sure thing. A-are you ready to go Mr. Tenebrae?" Emerald asked the Centurion.

"Just Tenebrae will suffice. Oh, and Lady Marta, if Nova asks where I am, just tell him that I'm wandering the forest tonight and that it's a natural thing." Tenebrae instructed Marta to cover up for his absence. Marta still didn't like lying or keeping secrets, but she will need to do so for her and Tenebrae's sake. Upon hearing Nova's name, she instantly realized something.

"Ah! Oh nooo... I forgot the fruits in the forest... what will I say to Nova and the others?" Marta groaned as in the danger and excitement, she forgot the bags of fruits she picked. Covering for Tenebrae and hiding her encounter with Richter is one thing, but this?

"Oh, you mean these?" Emerald chimed in as she pulled out two bags of fruit, the same ones Marta left behind."

"The fruits!? Emerald, how did you...?" Marta asked in amazement as she wondered how the kunoichi got them as Emerald handed the bags back to her.

"I broke away from you briefly to pick them up. I figured they were important." Emerald replied as she rubbed the back of her head. That would explain why Emerald vanished for a moment before regrouping with her.

"Thank you, Emerald..." Marta said with gratitude as Emerald put on her mask and began to leave.

"See you soon, Marta!" Emerald said as she lept into the trees, vanishing like the wind.

"Take care Emerald! You be safe Tenebrae!" Marta called out to the two as she waved goodbye... for now.

"I will be back before you wake up tomorrow, Lady Marta." Tenebrae smiled as he ran, disappearing as he did. With that, Marta made her way back to the Caravan.


Caravan [Night Time]

Despite the worry about being gone too long, Marta was able to convince Nova and everyone that nothing bad happened. The rest of the day went well with no issues, yet they decided to camp at the forest entrance to wait for Tenebrae to return.

That night, Marta went out and sat on the field, looking up at the night sky, admiring the view. She remembered when she watched these same stars with Brute and Lily, warm tears caressing her face. How she longed for her parents warmth again...

"Mom... daddy..." Marta said to herself as she remembered. If only she could turn back time, if only things could go back to how they were. Then, images of the green-eyed boy appeared before her again. Why does she keep thinking about him like that? Yes, he saved her, but she doesn't know him, yet her heart races a little each time she recalls him.

'A crush...? Am I forming a crush on him...? But I don't even know him, yet I would like too...' Marta thought to herself, wondering what's going on with her. She formed crushes before, but not like this before.

"Lovely night out, isn't it?" A familiar voice said as Marta turned to find Nova behind her.

"Nova. Y-yes it is." Marta replied as Nova sat next to her, the two watching in silence.

"Couldn't sleep?" Nova asked Marta as she tried to find the words to say to him.

"Something like that..." Marta said as she looked up to watch the stars. Nova then faced Marta, looking concerned about the young girl's wellbeing.

"Marta, what are you and Tenebrae doing at night?" Nova asked as Marta internally tensed up upon hearing that.

"What? What do you mean?" Marta nervously asked Nova as he pushed her into a corner, trying to play it off. She didn't anticipate anyone following her and Tenebrae one of these nights.

"Well, one night, May went up got up to relieve herself when she saw you and Tenebrae sneak off from the campsite. Then she told me that Tenebrae spoke and you mentioning the Vanguard and someone called "Ratatosk". Is this true, Marta?" Nova asked with a very calm and understanding tone of voice, wanting Marta to talk with him and be open about this. Seeing no way out of this now, Marta finally decided to come clean, hoping that Tenebrae wouldn't get angry with her about this.

"Nova... if I tell you everything... promise you won't think less of me..." Marta asked in a worried tone as the built up guilt ate away at her for too long.

"What is this about, Marta?" Nova asked in concern as Marta began to reveal the truth of why she was out alone when they first met. The Vanguard, Tenebrae, Alice and her monsters. Everything. Marta even revealed why she was gone for so long today, including Emerald and Richter. Needless to say, Nova was surprised by all of this, yet he showed no anger and no disappointment, he just sat there and processed everything she said.

"I... I know I shouldn't have kept it a secret... but we wanted to keep low and... and... I'm sorry for lying to you..." Marta said as she was on the verge of tears. She was afraid that Nova would reject her and Tenebrae now, but instead Nova pulled her in for a hug.

"Marta, I'm sorry you had to deal with all of that to this point." Nova said as he held Marta.

"But! I thought you'd be angry with me! I was with the Vanguard and..!" Marta said as tears escaped her eyes.

"You did the right thing. You left when things started to get bad. You saved both Tenebrae and Ratatosk before they could be used for terrible things or worse. You even saved my life from those monsters. People make mistakes and we can correct them." Nova said as Marta cried. He was accepting her after all, much to her relief and joy.

The two hugged each other until Marta calmed down. She then took the time to explain to Nova what was going on in regards to what will happen by the end of the month.

"So to fix the strange weather and restore the flow of mana, you need to 'hatch' the other Centurions and awaken Ratatosk, a summon spirit, am I right?" Nova asked Marta as she explained. Learning about the Centurions certainly fascinated him and it allowed him to understand why Marta and Tenebrae kept this a secret for so long.

"Yes and by the end of the month, I will have to leave to start my journey proper. As long as I'm here, Alice, Decus and Richter will put you and your family in danger, but if you want... if you no longer trust us, when Tenebrae comes back, we'll leave." Marta replied sadly as she felt ashamed of taking advantage of Nova and his family.

"I think you're too hard on yourself. I can understand why you needed to be with us. You wanted to be ready for when you set out on your journey. If you need to stay with us for a while longer, then it's alright. I can't imagine this is easy for you though. Besides, I still owe you for saving me and Aduin two weeks ago." Nova smiled at Marta as the young girls heart felt warm inside.

"However, I would appreciate it if you didn't hide this from me or my family from now on. For one, hiding the truth can make you feel awful inside and it would mean a lot if you could trust us more." Nova said to Marta, at least wanting her to be open and honest from now on with them.

"I will... thank you..." Marta said as she wiped her tears away with Nova patting her head with the two giving appreciative smiles at each other.

"I'm looking forward to introducing myself to Tenebrae proper by tomorrow. Come one, Marta. Let's go to sleep." Nova said as he and Marta returned to the Caravan for a good night's sleep. Marta slept without worry this time, as her mind and heart was clear of doubts. Aside Tenebrae, she now had Nova, his family and Emerald by her side and that made her truly happy.

To Be Continued...


What a dozy! After evading capture from Richter, Nova now knows of Marta's past connections with the Vanguard, but he fully accepts her and Tenebrae! Although one things has been resolved, there is still more to come!

Next time, we'll be seeing this night from Tenebrae's view point of view. How will things go on his end? Stick around.

Bonus points for anyone who got Marta's comment a out Aqua. *wink* *wink*