CHAPTER 3

When the Dawn Brigade split up to find an exit, Begnion soldiers were blocking the alleyways. Brycen and Beata, the siblings, could not find any exits that were free. Edward said that not even a kitten could sneak past Begnion soldiers. However, Nolan the seasoned axefighter found a least Begnion-guarded path. He and the rest of the Dawn Brigade decided to swarm through the soldiers. Nolan also knew that the stairs by the local church led to the local marketplace; therefore, they were able to break through there.

"So what are you gonna do?" asked Bri.

"I'll go first. Everyone, secure my back!" said Nolan.

"You can count on us, Nolan!" said Edward.

"Yes, sir!" said Leonardo.

"I'm ready for anything, Nolan!" Micaiah said.

"Of course, Nolan!" Bri said.

"Great, thanks everyone." Nolan said. "Remember: Don't be seen by the enemies. Team up and take them down one by one." Nolan said. He later walked away.

"I guess we're potentially on our own then." said Micaiah.

"Hey, my skills have improved." Edward said. "So, as a result, I am going to take the rear."

"Ooh, good idea, Edward." Micaiah said.

"Hmph." said a mercenary of Begnion. "Just as you suspected, Captain Isaiya."

"What is it this time?" asked the mercenary Isaiya.

"Ah, yes, the Dawn Brigade." said the mercenary serving under Captain Isaiya. "The group that is storming this alleyway right now!"

"Why how generous of them to do such a thing like that." said Isaiya. "I will…advertise our exploits to our commanders back home."

"Sir! Sir! Sir!" yelled a Begnion soldier.

"Now what is it this time, pipsqueak?" asked Isaiya.

"There's children down there! And there's even a wolf-riding staff and magic-wielding valkyrie!" exclaimed the Begnion soldier. "I mean, what the hell is going on here?!"

"The Dawn Brigade…" said a mercenary.

"Yes! We'll make history like this!" said Isaiya. "Quickly! CHAAAARRGE!"

"CHAAAAAAAAARGE!" Yelled a soldier of Begnion.

"Uh-oh…" said Edward.

"They're coming right for us!" said Bri. "Light, guide my staff!" Light lit up the area and all soldiers in the surrounding area were blinded.

"Well, they sucked at this." said Micaiah.

"This is no time for joking around!" said Nolan. "Stay focused!"

"Fine, Nolan!" said Micaiah.

"Wow!" said an archer named Rita. "Do you see that down there, Brother Carl?"

"Yes, yes, yes! I do, indeed, Sister Rita!" said a sniper named Carl. "Right from this rooftop, that is. Begnion soldiers are fighting off the Dawn Brigade. Not good indeed, in my own personal world of opinions."

"What shall we do?" asked Rita.

"Help." said Carl.

"Right, you are, then!" said RIta.

"Hey! No fear for you, Dawn Brigade!" said Carl. "Brother Carl and Sister RIta are coming to save you!" Carl and RIta then jumped from a house's roof and proceeded to fight off the soldiers.

"What the–" asked Nolan.

"GAH!" said a Begnion soldier. "My butt!"

"Hah hah! Got your ass shot right there, I see." said Rita. "Now…to deal with YOU." she said as she spoke to Isaiya, drawing an arrow right at him.

"You're not gonna shoot me, are ya little lass?" asked Isaiya.

"Shut your trap!" exclaimed Rita. "I may be fifteen years of age, but trust me, I am skilled with the bow, and I don't hesitate to miss a target!"

"Listen to my sister, lad." said Carl. "We suggest you flee if you don't wanna die." Isaiya tried to make his escape, but it was too late, he was shot dead by Rita and Carl, who shot him in the back and butt, respectively.

"Everybody, this way!" Sothe said as he showed up.

"Oh, no!" Rita said.

"They're running towards the center of the town!" said a Begnion soldier with a mustache. "After those worthless bastards!"

"I'm sorry, what was your name?" asked Micaiah.

"I'm Rita, this is Carl." Rita said as she introduced herself. "Brother and sister that is."

"Hey, look! The marketplace!" said Beata.

"We'll attempt to blend in with the crowd." said Brycen.

"And look! There's that Nico boy!" said Bri. "Wonder what he's been up to…?"

"Hey, lady!" Nico said.

"Are they seriously after you people again?" asked the lady with Nico.

"Yes, they are." Micaiah said.

"Are you okay, lady?" asked Nico.

"Yeah, we're fine." said Micaiah.

"Moldy onions and rotten apples!" said a Begnion soldier. "Where'd they go!?"

"That must be them, sir!" said another soldier.

"STOP!" said an elderly Daein citizen.

"Oh, now what?" asked a Begnion soldier of color.

"You people won't get past us." said a young maiden.

"Yeah! We stand with the Dawn Brigade!" said an elderly butler.

"Yeah!" Nico said. "Goddess protect the Dawn Brigade!"

"Seriously?! Children?!" asked a Begnion soldier of mixed color. "What do we do now?!"

"SHOOT EM DOWN!" said a Begnion soldier. As the Begnion archers were shooting their arrows, Nico was fatally shot.

"How the frick could you shoot a frickin' child?!" asked an elderly woman.

"You damned savages of Begnion!" yelled a butler.

"SOMEBODY! HELP! THE CHILD IS DYING! HELP! SOMEBODY HELP!" yelled a lady desperate for help to Nico.

"WAIT RIGHT THERE!" Micaiah said as she was heard in the distance. She later used her sacrifice skill to heal Nico.

"She…THE SILVER-HAIRED MAIDEN!" said a butler.

"It's a blessed miracle that Nico lived from that…" said another civilian

"Come on, Micaiah!" said Bri. Bri gaited away on her wolf holding Micaiah.

"Ugh!" said Jarod as he returned with Alder and a knight of Begnion. "Why did they escape!"

"Sir, the townspeople!" said the mustached Begnion soldier. "They are blocking our path."

"Oooo, I see." said Jarod. "The townspeople are blocking your path, aren't they?!" Jarod then killed three of the townspeople. As the remaining survivors and a traumatized Nico all ran away from the Begnion soldiers who were chasing after the Dawn Brigade, Jarod ensured that he wanted the Dawn Brigade caught alive. Begnion soldiers were still after the Dawn Brigade and the Silver-Haired Maiden, Micaiah.