Another Nathan/Throne-centric chapter, coming up. Spoilers from Throne's chapter 3, specifically Father's route, are incoming.

Disclaimer: Octopath Traveler II was created by Square.

Conflicting Feelings

Nathan had narrowly managed to avoid detection from Vella's Arcane Brigade at Winterbloom as he started making his way to Montwise, opting to stick to whatever cover he could find, cursing his luck silently.

'Hardly any fun skulking around, but It would be complicated if I run into them, directly.' He thought. Still quiet, he carefully proceeded through the Crestlands. He even spotted a couple of Vellan soldiers speaking with a member of Clockbank's constabulary, swiftly moving to keep his distance. Soon, he came to the place where most of the Arcane Brigade had set up a temporary headquarters.

Glenn and several of the knights stationed there were going over what they learned from the recent survey, they had also received Sabrina's instructions via Carrier Pigeon. One knight spoke with their second-in-command"No sign of Crimson Sun activity, here, so far. Yet, there has been some talk about the infamous mercenary, Scarlet having been sighted in Montwise."

"And from what I understand, she managed to elude capture" frowned Glenn"Sounds like she is giving even Prosecutor Whiteshore a run for her leeves. On top of that, I saw someone suspicious-looking walking toward the harbor, accompanied by a little girl. But we know that the Princess and Prosecutor Whiteshore are doing their best."

The other knight nodded"I have no doubt that they are, sir. And what about Nathan?" He asked"We've yet to find him."

"No sign of that rogue" Glenn shrugged"But keep patrolling, for now."

"Yes, sir" The knight bowed.

Nathan could not help but hide as he listened to their conversation for a moment before sneaking onward. Priscilla must want to settle things so badly if she's on the hunt for Scarlet and the other Mercs in her squad.

'How unexpected, that self-righteous Proescutor and I might run into each other again, sooner than I anticipated,' Nathan thought. But there were other things to do while in the Crestlands.

The orange-haired young man reached Montwise and headed for the tavern. Throne and Ochette were having a quick lunch, there. Nathan walked to the bartender and ordered a meal, himself before sitting down"Hope I didn't make you wait too long" he said to Throne.

"Not really" The thief replied around a bite of soup"Been keeping yourself busy, I imagine."

"Tell me about it, you see the Vellan Knights surveying the area?" Nathan asked as he received his soup.

"I did" Throne replied"They're surveying the area with permission from the authorities of Clockbank. The Sacred Guard won't keep quiet about this for long, I imagine." She took a drink of wine.

"The Sacred Guard already has a spotted reputation" Nathan scoffed"Doesn't matter what they do. I know that one of their number tried to force himself on a noblewoman from my homeland. The Crimson Sun has no plans to attack the Sacred Guard as of yet, of course" he chuckled, darkly.

"Unless they're very strong, they would be foolish to do that" Throne agreed"The Sacred Guard have some of the best knights on this continent."

"What are you guys talking about?" Ochette asked, having finished her jerky.

Nathan looked at the beastling"Just exchanging information. Did you have business here, Ochette?" he asked.

Ochette nodded"Sort of, I was going to go to Stormhail to look for Glacis after Nene, here is done settling things with her dad." She then sighed"Humans are so complicated."

"Yeah" Nathan as he ate his soup, turning"I've no real reason to go to Stormhail, but I think I can spare the time to go with you girls, there. If only to scope out the Sacred Guard and get more information." Privately, he hoped Scarlet will allow that, since she had no plans to visit the location of the Sacred Guard's headquarters.

"You're reckless, you know that?" Throne smiled wryly at the orange-haired man"I'd be surprised if you were allowed to act on your own. I'd expect an organization like the Crimson Sun to keep you on a short leash."

"I'm not gonna get any complaints" Nathan replied, confidently"Besides, I promised I would help you."

Ochette, who was feeding Akala some of her spare jerky, chose this moment to pipe up"I'll tag along."

Throne nodded, gratefully"Thank you."

"No sweat" Nathan grinned, finishing his soup before paying the bill.

The three headed outside the tavern after finishing their meal, unaware that Scarlet was watching them from the shadows as they headed for the eastern outskirts of town. The mercenary captain had received word of what Nathan is doing.

'Perhaps I should keep an eye on the situation' she thought, following the three from a distance.

Throne, Nathan and Ochette had continued eastward until they came to an old bridge. A certain dark-clad man with white hair and eyepatch stood on the bridge which served as a part of the old road.

"So, you and the Whiteshore whelp both came" The man said, nonchalantly"And with a third companion, no less. But no matter" he turned to face them, properly.

Throne stepped forward"And we both know the very reason why I came, Father."

"I have my own question to ask" Nathan addressed the older man"I had a bit of trouble figuring out why you didn't finish me, but Throne brought up a strange possibility. Were you acquainted with anyone from my family's noble house?"

"If its about why I didn't kill you, yet" Father chuckled darkly at Nathan"Its because I once accepted a job from a certain Sylas Whiteshore. Making sure that I did not give away anything about the Blacksnakes, of course."

"What?" Nathan was confused"Why would he hire someone like you?"

Throne put the pieces together"I believe I know why Sylas would do that. House Whiteshore was not without its political enemies, even with a low crime rate, I imagine there still were shifty individuals who fancied themselves untouchable." She grimaced"As for Nathan, you felt it best to allow him to live up to now, correct?" She asked Father, pointedly.

The older assassin nodded"Yes, all the more chance that you may succeed in what you want to do, and all the more sport for me for when we clash." He laughed, bitterly"Besides, this way, I'm sure the Crimson Sun will learn a lesson in not sticking their noses too heavily into other people's business."

"Namely, the Blacksnakes, you mean" Throne commented, readying her dagger.

Ochette stood with her bow ready, though she was a bit reluctant to harm another human"I wish we didn't have to fight, but I guess we're gonna have to, huh?"

"That's how is it" Nathan replied"And I don't quite buy this man's BS" he smirked cockily"You knew that my death would upset my mother to the point where she'd initiate an investigation into it which might potentially expose the Blacksnakes, didn't you, geezer?" He tauntingly asked the older assassin.

"You speak with the very same silver tongue as your father, boy. And quite observant of you. But here, I can just simply frame that mercenary woman, Scarlet for your death" Father replied, calmly"I noticed her skulking around Montwise when I came, earlier."

Throne readied her dagger"Enough talk." She lunged at the older assassin.

Father effortlessly dodged"Let's not get too hasty, Throne. Now is not the time, not just yet. There is something that you must now know."

"What are you playing at?" Nathan asked Father.

The older assassin replied"I chose this location for Throne's and my last meeting and our fight for one reason: Its to do with Marietta, my former love."

"What?" Throne asked, surprised to hear this.

"You don't seem the type of guy that any chick would love" Nathan scoffed at Father.

The older assassin chuckled"I hardly blame you for saying such. But its true, I had fallen in love with Marietta, who was the previous leader of the Blacksnakes before she was killed."

"Doesn't sound like an organized organization if the Blacksnakes would kill their own leaders" Nathan quipped.

Throne nodded"I agree."

"If you wish to hear more before we fight, follow me to the old church which lies ahead" The older Assassin stated, walking away.

Nathan clenched a fist"The more I hear about the Blacksnakes, the more I want to tear them apart."

"I expect that they will fall apart once Father and Mother are both dead, anyway" Throne replied, calmly"If obtaining the keys to my true freedom means dismantling that bloody organization, so be it."

"And that'll be less corrupt monsters in this world, all the better" Nathan grunted.

"Shall we keep going?" Throne continued towards the old church.

Scarlet, who was hiding behind a tree a short distance away, frowned'Hm.' She contemplated for a moment'It would not be wise to show myself. Instead, I shall keep an eye on Nathan and his friends from a distance, but I will step in if I need to.'

Throne, Ochette and Nathan followed Father to the old, abandoned church. Nathan took a good look at it from the outside"The place seems like its been abandoned."

"For some time, which is evident" Throne agreed"But Father clearly has had some connection to this place."

"Huh" Nathan frowned"You know, I feel sort of bad for the guy, something must have really happened between him and your real mom, Throne. And believe me, I know what its like, being a part of a dysfunctional family."

"I'd be lying if I said I'm not curious to hear what else he has to say" Throne admitted"Either way, we're going to be in for a fight."

"No other way around it, huh?" Ochette asked.

Throne stroked Ochette's ear"You're too innocent to be dragged into this."

The Beasting giggled"Yeah, but I still want to help you, Nene. Its really a bummer having to fight someone from your family, but I'm with you."

"Let's do this, then" Nathan grinned.

Throne nodded and entered the church with her companions. Father stood in front of an old altar, reminiscing on his past. Nathan addressed him, first"Something special about this place?"

"It is where it began" Father replied, referring to what had transpired after he had fallen in love with Throne's late mother.

"A perfect place to end it, then" Throne commented.

Father fully turned to face the three"Marietta and I swore an oath of love, here. Back then, I'd planned to put thieving behind me and start an honest life. And not just for myself, but also for those who depended on me."

"Who was Marietta, exactly? I mean besides being the previous leader of the Blacksnakes?" Nathan asked.

"That is the name of Throne's mother" Father replied, calmly.

Throne was surprised to hear this"So, that means..."

"I am your real father, Throne" Father replied, then laughed bitterly"If only that were the case... But saying so would be a lie."

"I was under the impression you were Throne's dad" Nathan commented to Father, confused at this revelation.

"And what do you mean?" Throne chimed in.

Father was pained by the memory, but did not show it as he explained"Marietta had met another man. She had fallen in love with him, and killed our baby. She left me and eventually had that man's baby."

"So, your family had also been torn apart" Nathan commented, feeling a twinge of sympathy"And that child was...?"

"Throne was indeed that child" Father explained"The daughter of the man who seduced and took Marietta from me."

Throne was curious and shocked at the revelation at the same time"And who was that man?"

"The founder of the Blacksnakes" Father replied"The beginning of it all. And I killed Marietta after that." He then drew his favorite dagger"I slit the throne of the woman I had loved with this dagger."

"Boy, does that sound familial" Nathan frowned, Father's story reminded him of what Priscilla claimed had happened with his parents and his late uncle. He was too bitter to even ask Percival if what Priscilla told him was true before he died.

Throne was disturbed to hear this.

"You should have been MY daughter, Throne!" Father told the younger assassin, bitterly"I raised you as if you were truly my own, more precious than anything." He then readied his dagger"But enough talk, everything I've done has let up to this moment!"

Throne readied herself"My own mind is made up as well, Father. I will kill you and then go kill Mother, after which I will finally be free of the Blacksnakes."

"I never cared much for the Blacksnakes, myself" Father smirked"To me, they were nothing but a nest, a tool with which I'd sate my blood lust." He chuckled darkly"My heart is all but dried up, and still it thirsts for more bloodshed!"

"You Murderer!" Nathan glared at Father as he drew his sword"If you loved Marietta, you wouldn't have done THAT to her!"

"And I shall continue to kill! Again! And Again!" Father snarled.

Ochette shook her head"He must have been hurting for a long time. He's been driven crazy by his own inner pain."

"We will put him out of his misery" Throne braced herself.

Father threw some of his spare daggers at the three, prompting them to dodge. Throne darted forward, slashing at him, the older Assassin dodged and rushed at her, only to be knocked back by a fireball from Nathan. Ochette fired an arrow, which Father dodged. The man tried to get at Ochette by charging at her from the side, only for Throne to intercept him, slicing Father's shoulder.

Father staggered"Heh" he laughed"How did it feel to draw blood from me, Throne? Does it feel like your hands were destined for this?"

"I'm not like you, father" Throne told him, bitterly"All I want is to be free."

"Then free me while you're at it" Father grinned, sadistically as he drew two more of his blades.

"Another one of your antics, Father?" Throne asked.

The older man shook his head"I raised you to kill me, Throne. I waited for this for so long."

"You, WHAT!?" Throne asked, astonished.

Father smirked"Come, Throne. Thrust your dagger into my heart! End me now!"

"Crazy old man" Nathan shook his head"You just couldn't handle Marietta's betrayal, could you? There must have been other, better ways to handle it."

Father threw a dagger at Nathan before lunging at Ochette, who dodged and countered with a swing of her axe. Father jumped back, ignoring the pain in his shoulder before swinging his blades at the group. Nathan and Throne were barely nicked at they dodged, Ochette fired her arrow, driving the embittered man back long enough for Nathan to slash at the older man.

Father dodged and jabbed at Nathan, who quickly dodged. Throne rushed in with a slash, which Father parried. Father jumped back and darted at Throne, who jumped back and drove the older man back with a slash, Nathan took this chance to blast the older man with a fireball. Father barely flinched as he drew another dagger, slashing at Throne with both of his weapons. Throne dodged both strikes, jabbing at Father with her dagger. Father dodged, about to strike again when Ochette shot him with an arrow.

"Nice shot" Nathan complimented the Beastling before going in with a slash. Father dodged and jabbed at Nathan, who dodged to the side and went at him with a slash. Father blocked the attack and jumped back to toss both of his daggers at the younger man. Nathan narrowly dodged while Throne rushed forward, plunging her dagger into Father's chest.

Mortally wounded, Father collapsed"Urgh..." He groaned"As I expected..."

Throne looked at Ochette and Nathan for a moment to make sure they didn't get injured, then looked at Father, thinking back on her childhood memories with him.

Nathan didn't put his sword away, bur stayed back"Throne?" He asked her, concerned.

Throne looked somberly at the fallen Assassin"For as long as I remember, I was taught to fight with a dagger." She looked at Father"This is the first time I have ever felt afraid." She sadly put a hand on the dying man's shoulder"Afraid... To lose you.."

Father said nothing as he laid there, dying from his injuries. Ochette and Nathan felt sympathy for both the dying man and the woman he had raised as his daughter, they probably would've had it better if it wasn't for the cruelty of whoever Throne's real father is.

"Father..." Throne said to her dying father figure"Would it be okay if I called you dad?"

Father smiled"Heh..." He laughed"Finally... I've become a real father... I'm happy to have a daughter." He then frowned for a moment"But Throne, even if I die and you kill Mother, you will not be free." With the last of his strength, he pulled out a key from his pocket, weakly handing it over.

"Your key..." Throne took it.

"Once Eustacia, which is the true name of Mother, is gone and you have both keys... Go meet your real father" Father whispered to her as he drew his last breath, a contented look lingered on his face for a moment as he passed.

Throne bowed her head in respect for a moment as her father figure's words echoed in her mind. Ochette placed a hand on Throne's shoulder in comfort.

"I guess it got too much for him in the end, everything that happened with his wife and the loss of his actual child" Nathan sighed, feeling sympathy towards Father and disgust at what Throne's real father had done"I need to go back into town for a bit, I'll meet you two on the way to Stormhail."

Throne nodded, picking up her father figure's body and heading out of the church to bury him. Ochette followed her out. Nathan headed back to town and made for the tavern to unwind and meet up with Scarlet.

On his way out, Scarlet intercepted him near the church"You seem attached to that thief. And frankly, I wondered why I was kept waiting."

Nathan looked at her"I'm just helping her out when I can." He wouldn't admit it to anyone, but lashing out at everyone he deemed corrupt was one of his ways of contending with his anger and resentment towards Priscilla"How did no one see you, anyway?"

"I saw what was going on through one of the windows" Scarlet replied, calmly"Not exactly easy to hide from two professional assassins and a Beastling, I'll say that much." She then looked at him, with an amused smirk"I think, ironically, you and your sister are both working to make Solistia a better place. House Whiteshore might have a checkered history, but they always had honor, right?"

"I don't really care about Solistia" Nathan replied, bitterly.

"Sure, you don't. You don't have to hide it from me. The rest of Solistia had nothing to do with your sister's actions" Scarlet told him, coolly"My father and I had our own sense of honor, he never harmed innocent women or children. But otherwise, he would take almost any sort of job if he got paid enough."

Nathan started to walk away, pausing to say"I'm going to Stormhail, I'll return to the Leaflands, afterwards. The Beastling was looking for someone, or something called Glacis. Besides, there might be some interesting tidbits about the Sacred Guard that Lord Walden may want to hear. Are you going to follow me there, too?"

"Nope" Scarlet shook her head"I have to report back to the boss. And what you are doing still aligns with his plans, so you'll hear no complains from me."

"You're pretty chill for someone who should really keep a tight leash on her subordinates. Either way though, if needed, I will knock the block off the Sacred Guard's leadership, myself" Nathan commented, snidely.

"Don't get smug with me" The red-haired Mercenary warned"I know too well of the honor that House Whiteshore had before it was tainted. And I know both your and your sister's weaknesses. Soon, I shall be taking drastic measures."

Nathan didn't like the sound of that, he hated Priscilla, but he didn't like being threatened, either"What kind of measures?"

"Never mind that, just go" Scarlet replied, walking away.

Scarlet's words echoed through Nathan's mind for a moment, the orange-haired man shook his head as he thought to himself'Once I've gotten my revenge on that self-righteous Prosecutor and made Throne's real father pay for what he did to Throne and her adoptive dad, I'll make Scarlet pay for threatening me once I find out what measures she's talking about. Just not sure how, yet.'

Okay, cutting the chapter, here. The next couple of chapters should stick strictly with Priscilla's POV. Sorry if the story is getting confusing.