Note: Hawkeye here. Originally going to combine his and Kevin's, I think his might go on for too long if I did. Thus, some characters get their chapter; some don't.

Also, I added "loose" to the summary as, while this is based on the game, many creative liberties will be taken. Some plot elements will be significantly different, but the story overall is the same.

Also, I've been looking into the Mana Wiki, and...I think that when they made Heroes of Mana, they might have messed up on some relations between everyone in Nevarl; as with how things are listed, some people are related but may or may not love each other….yeah, I'm not touching that. And looking at his backstory, Flamekhan himself isn't that good of a person.

I have a solution for it to get rid of any potential blood relations and, thus, no possible incest. It'll mainly be for later, but I think it's the only solution so things don't become icky. Plus, some of it doesn't make much sense, as spoilers for Heroes of Mana; if Eagle and Jessica are children from Flamekhan's second wife, then, given Heroes of Mana, wouldn't Eagle and Jessica be a good deal older than Hawkeye? But, again, I don't think they put much forethought into that detail when making the game, as I don't believe anyone would intentionally make a mess up like that. Or maybe I'm just naive; I don't know. But yeah, I have a solution.

Also, I'll admit, this shows a bias in some shipping. Granted, I'm not against anyone who dislikes it, and at first, I thought it was overrated, but as I'm going through this and writing and planning stuff out. Yeah. I've fallen for it too. Yet I'm not going to make any party look bad for its sake. I wouldn't say I like it when people do that.

Just so people don't get confused, no. I'm not pairing Jessica up with Hawkeye. It's more unrequited with them, yet I still removed any blood relation.

That said, I hope you enjoy it!

Hawkeye's Arrest

Nevarl Fortress

And the night had been going so well too.


When he, Niccolo, Bill, and Ben had returned from the raid, everyone was in a bit of a stir. And from what he had heard, the announcement was going to be big. Being led to the area where all the branching corridors and hallways met in the fortress, everyone was gathered before a bearded older man bearing tanned skin and a mustache of stringy fibers. His turban was light blue, and he wore a cape of white with baggy tan pants and blue slippers. From the looks of it, he appeared more sultan-like than someone that was the head of a guild of thieves. Yet if not for this man, Hawkeye and everyone else present wouldn't have probably been here at all.

Beside him stood a woman of considerable beauty with long, flowing red hair and contrasting pale skin. Her arms were adorned with bangles studded with jewels, a collar-like necklace around her lower neck and shoulders, and she had a shawl bearing the stripes of a tiger around her arms, two golden pieces clasping it and the tassels of violet together. Atop of her head rested a turban of blue with various feathers sticking out at the top, ranging from the local wild birds to peacocks, a strapless corset of the same color was on her person, a tight-fitting, pink skirt that fanned out at her ankles, red slippers adorned with turquoise stones on her feet. Indeed, she was the purest definition of beauty. And yet, those who got a good look, a perfect look, could sense that something was amiss, unnatural with her.

"Attention, everyone!" she suddenly proclaimed. "I know that you all are wondering as to why you all are here. Yet rest assured, this shall be a great day for us all." the woman assured everyone, then talked amongst themselves as to what she could mean. No one but a select few saw, yet her eyes lit up like a cat who had just spotted prey. "Yet perhaps I shall let our own guild master…" she paused. "Oh, please excuse me, His Majesty, Flamekhan."

Hawkeye was at a loss for words at what he had just heard.

"Thank you, Isabella." the old man, Flamekhan, thanked, turning to those gathered around. "As you have just heard, I have declared us, this region, a sovereign state, and we shall no longer go under the title of 'guild,' but 'kingdom.'" immediately, the room was filled with voices, some questioning the reasoning, some protesting, and some pondering what this meant for them. "I do not do this out of a lack of concern for you all, however." the old man continued. "Mana is disappearing from the world. The wells are drying up, and the game is becoming scarce. We must take it upon ourselves to strive for a future of security and prosperity!" he declared. "I say this to you as my people. As your king, I shall not fail you. We shall build a strong, solid kingdom that all the world shall know!" he cried out passionately, convincing everyone that he was serious. "However," he continued, far calmer now. "We cannot simply stay here, hidden away from the world. To be recognized, we must expand and spread our territory. And we shall start," what was said next made everyone erupt in shocked cries and exclamations of confusion. "By invading and seizing the country of Laurant!"

Hawkeye couldn't speak, looking at Niccolo with widened eyes. He tried to catch Eagle and Jessica somewhere in the crowd, yet he could see neither.

"That is all." what the?! First, he makes this big announcement, then the older man just up and ends it like that?! The hell?! "You are all dismissed."


What the hell?

Just...what the hell? What the hell just happened? Was that real?

"Hawkeye?" a feminine voice asked from behind him; a young woman with blue hair and a frilly dress approached him.

"Jessica." he acknowledged her presence. "What's up?"

"What's up with you?" she asked. "Eagle said you've been completely bummed out since father's meeting."

Hawkeye sighed, looking outside of the small space in the mountain that served as a window, the once searing desert landscape now bathed in the pale light of the moon and brought to near-freezing temperatures. It was fascinating how the environment could change drastically depending on the time of day. Yet, in a way...it was a perfect reflection of what had just happened. "The Nerval Kingdom…" Hawkeye began. "The hell is the old man thinking?"

Jessica felt a sting. Was that a jab at her father? "What do you mean?"

"The Nerval Kingdom?" he repeated. "It...it makes no sense." he sighed. "Why would Flamekhan of all people go and do this?" he slammed his fist on the wall. "He's not ONCE been ashamed of himself as a thief! Hell, he's the one that brought Nerval back after the destruction that was left during the war with Pedda! He BUILT this guild! And now he's just going to forsake it all?!"

Jessica bit her lip. Indeed, she suspected that this would happen. "Well...father did say that not everyone would be open to it."

Hawkeye then looked at her. "You've talked to him?"

"Rather, he's talked to me. And Eagle too." the young woman answered. "And I'll admit, at first, we were just as shocked as everyone else. But...he raised several good points."

This, Hawkeye HAD to hear. "Such as?" he couldn't keep the skeptical, somewhat condescending tone from creeping into his voice.

He didn't mean to, as he saw the hurt in Jessica's face, but she went on.

"Well, for one thing, we can't stay here," she said. "It's as he said: Mana is fading from the world."

"Is there any proof of that?"

"Well, for one, the wells and oasis' are drying up. Not to mention, the animals and natural food supplies are growing scarce. Nevarl...well, we've never been a wealthy place…"

"We've been doing fine so far."

"But what about the future generations?" Jessica argued. "Father...father said that this isn't about respect or status. This is about guaranteeing a future for the children that will be born." he saw her eyes looking upon him longingly. "And the children's children."

"But a king? Him becoming a king?" Hawkeye argued. "The hell is that? He DESPISES monarchy!" he huffed. "Either the man's gone senile, or he has lost his dignity."

"Hawkeye!" Jessica exclaimed. "Don't talk about my father like that!"

"Oh, and I suppose you're ok with all this?"

"I...I don't…" the young woman stammered. "But...but I trust his judgment."

"And what about invading Laurant? Are you ok with that too?"

"I...I don't…."

"Oh, I get it." Hawkeye crossed his arms. "You're a fan of being a pretty little princess, aren't you?"

"Hawkeye, stop it," she said firmly, but he kept going.

"Princess Jessica! The beauty of the Desert! Come one, come all, and see her Highness-"

"STOP IT!" the next thing he knew, his cheek was on fire as she delivered a hard slap, Hawkeye stumbling back from the sheer force. Once he saw the tears developing in her eyes, he knew he had gone too far.

"Jessica-"

"Don't." she choked out. "You've made your point." She ran off in tears.

Great. The violet-haired thief sighed. Yet ANOTHER good turn this night's brought.

"Hey," he heard a voice say, clearly not happy. It was a young man not much more youthful than Hawkeye, with shaggy, brown hair and tan skin, a false white, raggedy shirt, and green pants with several patches. He had simple, brown shoes on his feet, yet they were worn down, the top on the left somewhat torn off and revealing a raggedy, old sock. "What'd you say to Jessica? She went by here crying!"

Lovely. Hawkeye sighed. "Let's just say...I said some things I shouldn't have, Phil."

"I'll say." Phil huffed, placing his arms on his hips. "If you keep this up, you two will never get any further!"

Again, Hawkeye sighed. It seemed everyone here had already decided that he and Jessica were up and going to get it on someday. "Well, you have any idea where she went?"

"To her room," Phil answered. "Otherwise known, you'd probably be best in staying away from her for a bit."

"True…" Hawkeye sighed. Tonight was just getting better and better.

"Anyway, there's been something I've wanted to ask you." the young man asked, rubbing the back of his head. "You wouldn't have happened to have seen Alyssa anywhere, have you?"

"Alyssa?" the thief pondered for a moment. Long, brown hair, pink dress…."I can't say I have. Not since last night."

Phil got a chill. "That's what everyone else has said too."

"What do you mean?" the violet-haired young man questioned.

"She went to get some water from one of the wells last night, but she didn't come back!" Phil told him. "I went out and looked everywhere, but I couldn't see her! And no one said that they've seen her either!"

"Has anyone else looked for her?" Hawkeye asked. This was news to him; he hadn't heard a thing about it. Granted, he was out on a raid that night, but still.

"Yes, we looked everywhere!" Phil confirmed. "I...I don't want to say it...but...do you think she's been...taken?"

Taken...Hawkeye knew well what Phil was getting at. It had been small instances at first, yet since the past couple of months, there had been some weird happenings going on around, and NOT including what Flamekhan had just told them tonight. First, some women in the more miniature village of Diin and the capital of Sirhtan itself had seemingly been missing. No one knew what to make of it, as Hawkeye himself had only heard whispers, yet it seemed that everyone had begun to become more cautious when going out at night. And now, some women around the fortress itself were turning up missing. Very few, if any, of the women were found, yet they all had one defining element connecting them all: what appeared to be bite marks on their throats and being completely drained of blood.

"Hey now, let's not jump to any conclusions yet," Hawkeye said. That's rich, seeing what you just did. his mind lectured him. Still, he continued. "Tell you what, I'll look for her."

"You will?" Phil asked, Hawkeye nodding. "Thanks. But still...be careful." With that, Phil went off, leaving the thief alone.

He had intended to fulfill Phil's request, but at the moment, he had somewhere to be.

Hearing the door to his room open, Eagle rose from the chair and looked at a sore-cheeked Hawkeye. A small chuckle came from him as he shook his head. "You're going to be remaining a bachelor for a LONG time…."

"Hey, I'm in no rush. If it happens, it happens." the thief shrugged. "Anway, what'd you get?"

Eagle rested a hand on his chin. "Not much. At least, nothing too incriminating."

"As always." Hawkeye sighed. "Damn, the woman is good."

"Good," Eagle admitted. "But no one's that good."

"Except me."

The blonde sighed. "Seriously though, it all ties to her. Ever since she's come into everyone's lives, father's been steadily going down a different path. It's like he's not even the same person anymore."

Hawkeye nodded. Finally, someone appeared not only to be seeing things his way but openly saying something about it. "Well, what do you suggest we do?"

Eagle sighed. "Truth be told...I'm kinda at a loss." he then clenched his fists. "But I'm going to find out."

"No, WE'RE going to find out." Hawkeye corrected, Eagle presenting a small smile in return.

Days Later

And "we're going to find out" mainly consisted of just following her wherever she went. Not exactly the most elaborate or clever plan...but it was technically a plan. And frankly, if he had to be frank, no one was better at sneaking than he was.

Sure, it was risky, and there had been several times that they had very well nearly gotten caught, yet so far, even if it was the most basic of plans, Hawkeye and Eagle had been successful. Hawkeye was pretty surprised; the guy was better and remaining scarce than he had given him credit for. He had at first pondered whether or not he should've gotten Bill and Ben in on the operation, yet ultimately, he decided against it. Not that he doubted their skills, but the fewer parties to worry about, the better.

So far, they haven't gotten anything or been successful, but tonight might've just been their only shot.

It was late at night, and nearly everyone had turned in. Save for Isabella. Immediately, Hawkeye and Eagle tailed the woman, watching as she made her way to Flamekhan's chambers. This was it. This was what they had been waiting for. "Ok, ready?" Eagle questioned, Hawkeye simply responding with a thumbs up. The two made their move. Hiding behind the wall that, once the corner was turned, led to the head of the guild's (or now kingdom's) room, they heard two voices conversing with each other.

"So, it hasn't been found?" a male voice said, tone low yet strangely seductive. It reminded the two young men of some form of a male version of the woman they were tailing. Honeyed, and yet with an underlying darkness to it.

"Not yet.'' That voice was Isabella. "But do not dare to tell His Majesty I'm slacking off. Let alone giving...special services to this fossil here." they peered around the corner to see Flamekhan, completely motionless, assumedly asleep. Still, how was he sleeping through two people being in the room? Something about it wasn't natural.

The figure in the room with Isabella was a darkly clad individual with unnaturally pale skin and ivory hair that came up to resemble horns of some kind. He was dressed very much like a nobleman, bearing a vest lined with gold, an angular emblem fastened over a red scarf around his neck, a white undershirt, black pants, and fancy shoes. And when he smiled, Eagle and Hawkeye saw a pair of highly developed canines. "It's not my place to question what you do in your free time, dear woman." the man sneered. "Yet Majesty IS growing impatient."

"I am doing what I can to fish the location out from this old man." Isabella huffed. "Yet it seems that even my magic struggles to break through some barriers."

"Have you considered that perhaps he doesn't know?" the man suggested.

"Doesn't know?" Isabella exclaimed, shocked. "How could he not know? This is HIS land! If ANYONE should know where the Stone is, it's him!"

"Yet you also forget, didn't he have an...estranged family member? One that he declared a traitor and sought to kill?"

Wait...what? Hawkeye and Eagle listened in closer.

"Hmm…" Isabella pondered. "There WAS something about that once. When I asked him about his children, there was an instance where he slipped and mentioned a name. Those two came from his second wife. His first, and he mentioned that they couldn't conceive. She was unable to become pregnant. So, they adopted and raised an orphan girl as their own. She was declared a traitor from what little I got, yet he couldn't bring himself to an end her. Thus, they went their separate ways."

"Lovely story." the man scoffed. "Yet what does that have to do with the Stone's location?"

"I'm getting there," Isabella told him. "In the times of the war with Pedda, a young man by the name of Roget that had traveled the world and eventually ended up saving it from destruction, as well as his former kingdom. Let's just say that the young man was rather popular, as he managed to get several others in his cause. As a result, he was led to and bore knowledge of the Stones, receiving power from the Elemental Spirits. One of these allies was this adopted daughter."

So much was coming their way, neither of the young men knew what to make of it. Still, they listened on. "So, the old man here has more of a history than I thought." he looked at him. So many wrinkles, so old...the man grimaced in disgust. "So, where is she now? This...young woman?" he bore his canines, smiling with anticipation."

"Dead," Isabella answered. "For some time. She and her husband." the woman narrowed her eyes. "And presumably, the location died with them."

The man's eyes flared up. "So you mean to tell me that you've simply WASTED your time here?!"

The woman then smiled. "Not necessarily." before he could ask, she went on. "During the war with Pedda, the old fool was the second in command to the former leader, Olbex. As a result, he bore knowledge of all the land, even that of the Stone. So, if my hunch is right, then, even if it is just a hint, there IS something in the old man's brain that reveals something vital to its location."

"Then go about your business in getting it." the caped man told her. "Lest the Majesty becomes displeased...or disinterested in you." both Hawkeye and Eagle saw Isabella flinch at that. "I must be off." the man said, turning his back to her. "There is a young maiden calling my name."

"Don't take more than you need," Isabella warned. "The last one was too close for comfort. Alyssa is STILL being searched for."

"She was outside, and you DID say that any that should stumble outside of the guild's territory was mine to take." the man said, licking his teeth. "I must say...she was lovely. And there's another here that's caught my eye. A young, fair one. Jessica, was it?" Eagle stiffened at that. This...this being dared prey on his sister?! He could take no more of this!

"Eagle, wait!" Hawkeye hissed, yet it was too late. Eagle leaped from his hiding spot and drew out his sword.

"Don't you DARE think of laying your filth-ridden hands on her, monster!" the man and Isabella looked at the young, blonde man, he was shocked, yet she seemed amused.

"Well, well, well," Isabella smirked. "I was wondering when you two would make your move." She peered at the wall. "Come on out, little birdie. I know you're there." C-Crap! How did she know?! Still, Hawkeye didn't move. "Oh? You want me to come and collect you, is that it?" She moved, yet Eagle placed his sword to her neck. "Hm." she looked as if she had nothing to fear, then looked to her company. "Malocchio, would you excuse us? I believe that there's a young girl that you may be interested in. Long hair, fair skin...I believe I saw her in Diin today." smiling hungrily, he made his exit, seemingly walking through the very wall in a veil of dark shadow. Isabella then directed her attention back to Eagle. "I wouldn't do that. I really wouldn't."

"A little late to be begging for your life now."

"Who said it was my life?" her eyes then turned to the slumbering Flamekhan. Hawkeye was by no means a coward, yet simply jumping into the fray as Eagle had wasn't exactly getting good results. If anything, Eagle had just opened himself up. "Rather, you should be concerned about your own."

"What do you-" Eagle was cut off, Hawkeye unable to wait any longer either. He rushed into the room to see Isabella holding the blonde by the chin and looking dead at him. Or rather, through him.

"Yes, that's it," Isabella said soothingly. "Let me into your mind…."

"Eagle!" the violet-haired thief called out; Flamekhan was STILL just as unresponsive. "The hell do you think you're doing?! Release him!"

"I'm merely giving dear Eagle here a new way to see things," Hawkeye observed what was in front of him, immediately noticing her eyes. They were glowing yellow and had seemingly developed slit pupils like a cat. Eagle's eyes were also dulling and burning yellow, clearly enraptured by her gaze. Then, to the thief's surprise, she planted a kiss on his lips, Eagle's eyes widening before fluttering and closing. Isabella broke the kiss and placed a finger on his forehead. "Now then…" she then turned to Hawkeye. "Help your friend here keep this little exchange a secret for me, would you, dear?"

Eagle then turned to his friend, his once vibrant eyes glazed over and dull. He thrust his sword in his direction; Hawkeye was taken entirely off guard, his side grazed by the weapon, tearing through his clothing. "Eagle!" he cried out, falling to the ground. "What do you think you're doing?!" Eagle didn't respond; he then turned his attention to Isabella. "What have you done to him?!"

"Don't trouble yourself with it," she told him. "Soon, you won't be around even to care."

He rose to lunge at her, yet his friend stopped him, swinging the sword in his direction. "Eagle! Stop!" Hawkeye pleaded, only to receive more swings in his direction. "Don't you recognize me?! I'm-" a slash very near could've slit his throat had he not backed up, yet he fell to the floor, the blonde young man towering over him. He readied his sword and thrust it downward, only to intercept it by two curved daggers holding it back. "I'm sorry…" with a strong kick, Hawkeye sent Eagle back against the wall, jostling the shelves and causing several items to fall off. He was about to get up, yet a punch to the throat and subsequent grabbing of it held him firm. "Snap him out of it! NOW!" Hawkeye demanded of the woman who mesmerized his friend. The woman only smirked.

"What will you do? Your life is at stake...yet so is his."

He knew well what she was getting at. "You...you sick, twisted-UGH!" The thief was cut off by his own throat being seized; he was forced to the ground again. Eagle brought his sword mere inches from Hawkeye's throat; he then raised it with the intent to slice right through-"GAH!" only to feel the dagger's hilt meet his throat, pushing him back.

Damn. Isabella thought. And here I hoped he would've used the bladed end. It'd give me more of an alibi.

"E-Eagle…" Hawkeye said back, rising and slowly going over to his friend, wanting nothing more than to help him, yet still cautious about what he might do. Isabella remained silent as she watched the scene take place. "Eagle...don't. Let me help."

"Hawkeye...get away from me," Eagle begged. "I...I don't have control over my body. I can't stop. Run. G-Get out of here."

"C'mon, you're stronger than this!" the thief told him desperately. "Fight it! Fight her! She has no power over you!"

No power...no power...these words began to lift the haze over his mind. Eagle's eyes slowly began to return to normal; he then turned to Isabella.

"Well, well," she said, actually somewhat shocked. "Your resilience IS stronger than I thought." yet she extended her hand in his direction. "Not that it matters." Suddenly, her nails appeared to grow. "ROSE SLASH!" She rushed up to Eagle and began to deliver repeated slashes all over his body as Hawkeye found the only way to say it.

"EAGLE!" Hawkeye shouted, rushing to help his friend, only to be sent back as claws slashed over his chest, knocking him back.

"And now, the coup de grace!" Isabella then began to "change." To Eagle and Hawkeye's horror, the woman's face began to morph into some strange visage that resembled some inhuman creature, as if she had become some hybrid between a monster and a woman. And said monster appeared to be oddly feline-like. Then, with one swing of her claws, Eagle's throat was slit.

"EAGLE!" Hawkeye shouted, crawling over to his friend, who had his throat ripped out. All he could get out of him was a slight twitch of his fingers before everything went still. "You...You…" he turned to Isabella, tears falling from his eyes. "YOU MURDERER!"

Isabella, whose features had become much more human now, only smiled; Hawkeye's dagger struck Eagle within her hands, covering it in some of his blood. "That's not what they're going to think."

"What do you-" before he could finish, to his surprise, the woman stabbed herself in the side, wincing at the pain. She then threw it to Hawkeye and then looked to Flamekhan. Finally, she snapped her fingers, and the older man's eyes fluttered open.

"Wh-What? What's-"

"OH, SIRE!" Isabella cried out, throwing herself on the older man. "YOUR SON! YOUR SON!"

"Wh-What? Isabella, why are you-" Flamekhan stopped upon seeing the blood. "What happened here!"

"HIM!" Isabella hollered, pointing to Hawkeye. "HE MURDERED YOUR SON!"

"What?!" Flamekhan rose from his bed and went over to see what had happened. Indeed, what he saw was Hawkeye over his son's body. "N-No…" he stammered, not wishing to believe what was in front of him. "No...my boy. My boy!"

"Sir, I didn't!" Hawkeye pleaded. "I would never! She-"

"He then tried to attack me!" Isabella interrupted, showing the self-inflicted wound. "I tried to stop him! I tried, but…oh, Sire!" she threw herself on the old man, weeping.

"You...you…" Flamekhan shook. "YOU BASTARD CHILD!" he then struck Hawkeye hard, sending him crashing against the wall.

"What the?!" a familiar voice said, entering the room.

"What's going on-" the other accompanying him said; they both stopped at what they saw. More and more came, and they all saw the scene before them. "Eagle!" Bill shouted, then looked to Hawkeye. "What happened? What happened?!"

"What did you do?!" Ben then shouted after.

"Let me through!" A female voice demanded. Jessica worked through the gathered crowd and screamed at what she saw.

"Jessica!" Hawkeye began. "Bill, Ben, everyone, I didn't! I would never-"

"Enough of your lies!" Flamekhan bellowed. "I should have NEVER taken you in! You...you killed my…."

Hawkeye was left without words, eyes upon eyes staring at him. He only looked down at the slain Eagle, teardrops falling onto his now lifeless body.

Note: Hints to Isabella's true nature here, and sort of a more violent end for Eagle.

UPDATE: I redid how Eagle died because it undermines Hawkeye's foresight into things.