Chapter 26: Pale Flower of Darkness

"Damn that Brendan... has to be the Black Fang leader even to the bitter end..." Sonia muttered after having patched her injuries. She turned to Limstella, who stared intently at Brendan's pelted corpse and quintessence. "Be sure to tell Lord Nergal it was I who killed Brendan!"

Sonia wanted to remind the puppet of the victory that was rightfully hers. Even though it took about a fourth of her reserve morphs along with Uhai to deal with Brendan. Brendan displayed far greater strength than any have anticipated... moreso than Sonia had witnessed beforehand. No matter, her Lord Nergal would use that power and quintessence to his advantage.

"...There is no doubt Lloyd and Linus Reed are resisting us. There was no opportunity to deal with them and take their quintessence..." Limstella then turned to Sonia who remained glaring at her puppet associate. "The ones you sent, Pascal and Jerme, their bodies were burnt away. It seems as though they are aware of our existence as puppets."

Limstella took watch of the aftermath of the battle. With too many figures strewn about the battlefield and watching, there was no way to ambush the brothers for their magnificent quintessence.

Ignoring or believing Limstella to be the only puppet, Sonia clicked her tongue. She supposed Renault, her lord's former partner, disclosed the matter of morphs. That and maybe when they killed Ephidel that the truth of their godforsaken existence were revealed. Their enemies would rather burn away the bodies that held onto quintessence for awhile, preventing her lord and his underlings from obtaining it.

Not to mention, her stepsons being defiant enough to live. Sure enough, her plans needed to be accelerated. She already had the Fire Emblem, and spoke with the king earlier before the attack on Brendan. And she will use her unaware "daughter" to enact King Desmond's desire.

"It appears your plans have gone awry, shall I take over your duties?" Limstella asked of her fellow morph.

Sonia then looked offended. "Don't be ridiculous! I will never let a creature like you seize the glory that is mine! I was chosen by Lord Nergal himself! I'm a perfect being!" She boasted, proud of herself.

She believed the Death Kite and the Beast to be worthless in the end. It was clear they could not be trusted even with a hundred men with them. A shame she did not ambush the Reed brothers earlier, but no doubt they would fall in the end. And their quintessence will all belong to Lord Nergal.

She looked towards the pale formerly proud Sacaen with a smirk. They will likely come to the base. Even Brendan was powerless in the end against his former friend. And what awaits them is despair...

"Thank you for allowing us to stay for the night, until then..." Ike set off with the prepared troop, leaving the crowd of villagers who bid farewell to the true Black Fang and Greil Mercenaries.

"Wait!" A man's voice called out. The old man who was a former history teacher to Prince Zephiel came up to Ike. He then pulled out another Earth Seal and handed it to Ike. This was the second one he's given the group.

"T-this is..." Ike uttered. He then saw the desperation in the old man's eyes.

"I spoke to General Murdock and pressed him for the answers when I recognized those flight patterns. The wyvern riders... Black Fang moving about without consequences... Please... Save Prince Zephiel." He pleaded solemnly, as if in a prayer. Luckily, no other villagers who were looking at the scene heard what the man said.

"We will..." Grasping the Earth Seal, making a pledge to ensure the safety of the Prince of Bern.

He would save the seal for later... giving it to someone he had in mind.

As the group were a bit of a long way from the base, Legault, Lloyd, and Linus led the way, silent the entire time. The rest of the Greil Mercenaries trailed behind them, with Rath and Guy by his side. They were in between the Old Fang leading them and the rest of the troops following the lead of their commander.

Ike knew, the old Fang were still mourning their fallen father and leader. Igor and Jan took the remaining men and left until the brothers could contact them again.

To some extent, Ike felt responsible for not acting fast enough to prevent Brendan's death. Like Eliwood's father, Ike felt that he was still lacking in having the right to protect his own family back in Tellius. But he knew, Brendan was also counting on him to make sure Brendan's true family lives, including Legault and Nino.

"Hey, boss! Seems like our guides just stopped!" Guy remarked, snapping Ike out of his thoughts. Ike halted and then turned to Rath beside him who nodded.

"A woman is speaking with them... it can't be...?" Rath had a closer look at the woman who was conversing with the trio, namely Lloyd. Guy also peered ahead, his eyes widening in recognition of the woman.

"S-she's-!" Guy stammered.

The woman was beautiful, with long black hair and her bangs cut at the front. Wearing a white Sacaen-style garb similar to Lyn's and a single-edged blade at her side.

"Sorry Boss, be right back!" Guy ran to her, with his blade at the ready. Ike was then worried for Guy as he turned to Rath.

"Who is...?" Ike queried to Rath who turned to his commander.

"The Sword Princess... Guy fought her back in the arena a year ago in Badon." Rath replied.

It was then that Ike was reminded right after he made the deal with the Davros. What a coincidence... Most likely, Guy wanted to take the initiative to fight her. Suddenly, the clanking of iron could be heard as their attention was brought to Guy and the Princess of Swords engaging in battle. Ike then gave a tired look to his sword fighter, not realizing they had places to be.

Guy and the Sword Princess swiftly exchanged strokes, with Guy managing to counter her strikes. Their blades parried off one another as they continuously maneuvered their blades to make swift slashes at one another. They were evenly matched, a testament to Guy's progress over the last year.

Ike came up to the dumbfounded trio of Black Fang, who were halted by having to witness this battle take place when they needed to leave. Legault was exhaling while shaking his head, Linus face-palming himself, and Lloyd silently muttering to himself.

"Why did she suddenly stop you in the middle of the road?" Ike queried to the trio, in which Lloyd took the initiative to answer by facing Ike.

"She heard of our battle not too long ago and wanted to find out about rumors of a swordfighter's skills that was renowned that fought alongside the Greil Mercenaries, likely me. She approached me and told me I wasn't the one she was truly looking for, but was hoping for a brief duel to check her progress... I declined." Lloyd promptly answered.

Understandable, they had places to be after all.

"Just as we were about to continue on, your sword boy here wanted to settle the score..." Linus added while rubbing his forehead in frustration.

The sound of footsteps from the rest of the troops stopped, as they finally caught up with their guides. Priscilla looked visibly worried while Raven seemed to have caught on to what appeared to be a sudden duel while shaking his head in exasperation at Guy. Bartre in particular had the biggest widened eyes at the sight of the woman fighting with Guy.

"Sorry about that... I'll tell him to stop immediately."

Just as Ike was about to halt the match, he heard the sound of something cut. Guy drew first blood, with his wielding posture in place as the sight of a single cut on the unblemished face of the woman stood out on her left cheek.

Guy panted but still had plenty of vigor. "Ha...I did well since the last time we fought..." He then stood proud as he sheathed his blade.

The woman nodded while smiling.

"Indeed, from the first scratch you've given me back after your defeat in the arena, now you can match my swordplay. It just shows I have much to learn before I can stand before my brother..." She responded.

It was then that heavy stomping could be heard as everyone's attention went to Bartre, who was quickly approaching while pointing at the woman. Everyone had a bad premonition... knowing Bartre's character.

"You! Wench!" He shouted as the Sword Princess tilted her head. "Meeting me here will be your doom! I must erase the shame I met on the Western Isles! Come! We duel! After your wound recovers and you regain your energy, of course." He pointed out thoughtfully.

Another duel, again? Just as Karla was about to oblige, Ike had to step forward.

"Absolutely not." Ike declared, turning to Bartre. "We have a job, Bartre. Fight on your own time." He then turned to Guy, who then scratched his head for the reprimand he was about to receive. "Guy, you know how important our mission is. We can't be delayed any further. The Reed family's sister could be in peril."

The more time they wasted, Nino would be in further danger, who was likely heading back to the base. They also needed to strike back at the dastards who dared to betray the Fang and make it their own.

Guy being scolded made him sincerely remorseful, as he also saw the tired expression of the old Fang present who went out of their way to stay silent of his sudden duel. Meanwhile, Bartre frowned but understood the severity of the situation.

"I-I'm sorry. I really am. I should have requested a duel another time." Guy bowed to the trio who then shrugged off his apology. At least it didn't take long... They needed to continue on.

"Wait!" The Sword Princess called out after her wound was healed by Priscilla. Ike turned to the Sacaen woman with a raised brow. "Your group is filled with skilled warriors, and your swordfighter has improved tremendously over the past year. The battles you've faced not too long ago must have made all of you stronger..."

She was likely referring to the battle with Jerme and Pascal, news must have traveled far. Guy rubbed his nose as if proudly accepting the praise from his opponent, forgetting that he delayed their group by engaging in combat.

She continued on with a resolute expression: "If that's the case, I think I'll join you."

"What?" Bartre was the first one to respond while being dumbfounded.

Everyone looked at the strange swordmaster who wanted to join their group. Guy even had widened eyes after having technically won the spar against the Sword Princess.

"But why?" Ike questioned the Princess of Swords.

"I search for my brother. My brother gravitates toward strong warriors… This journey of yours sounds like a dangerous one. Joining you might help me find him sooner." She answered.

So she was looking for family and that is why she goes around looking for fellow swordmasters to improve herself. Some of the group seemed to empathize with her. However, the most peculiar thing was that her brother is seen going after strong people. By that logic, the Greil Mercenaries may be targets for her brother. Ike only hoped things would not come to that.

"Very well, we'll have to discuss the contract later. We'll give you your deposit once we've settled things." Ike concluded, to which Karla looked confused. She didn't expect to be paid for fighting alongside them. But she didn't argue, seeing as how the group was in a hurry. He held out his hands as a normal welcoming gesture like always. "Welcome to the Greil Mercenaries, I'm Ike, the current leader in Elibe." Making her tilt her head at Ike's last statement, but paid it no mind.

She gladly accepted the gesture and shook on it. Bartre grinned at the opportunity to once again fight against his sworn rival (one-sided) while she gets contracted to the mercenaries. He felt his decision to come with Ike's group truly paid off.

"My name is Karla, and..." Karla took out an Elysian Whip and handed it over to Ike (AN: Karla was in Pascal's chapter in a village, still looking for her brother and had this item). "I've no need for this item, but I believe fliers could take them." Ike graciously accepted the item.

"Thank you, I'll give you extra for your deposit."

Fiora or Farina could take the whip, as their youngest sister already took it. But then there was Heath... Ike handed the promotional item along with the Earth Seal he received to Anna who then gestured to Jake to take the reins of the carriage while she remained inside.

Canas looked to Ike and probably knew what Anna was doing. She was planning to modify them like the guiding ring. No matter, it would help them regardless.

Linus went over to Guy and patted his back. "Nice job, Guy! You've earned us another fighter... Don't do that again on our time..." He warned to which Guy shivered in fear of Mad Dog's anger. Lloyd remained smiling, but his smile did not reach his eyes.

"R-right... Sorry." Guy stammered while heeding the Reed brothers' warning.

"Nice to have ya aboard!" Dart exclaimed to Karla. "We keep getting new people who know one of us!"

From Geitz, to Harken, and the middle sister of the pegasus knights they had. Guy and Bartre were acquainted with Karla through battle. Strange coincidences one after the other.

With that, they continued their trek to the Black Fang base, a castle located in Bern's impassable mountains, where snow blankets the peaks.

"This is our fortress... but right now, the security is too lax. I have a bad feeling about this..." Lloyd announced to Ike.

There was no doubt Sonia and her remaining men noticed that they lost the battle in the valley. It was likely they were anticipating an attack in the base and were setting up an ambush.

People were speaking from inside the castle. Where the Four Fangs and their leader meet.

"I could hear voices..." Legault added.

The rest of the group were on standby some distance away, keeping watch while Ike and the old Fang were heading to the base. There they peeked into the room.

"Nino..." Lloyd whispered.

She was with Sonia while Jaffar was present with her. They couldn't fight to take her back at this time while two powerful foes were present. Until then, Lloyd and Linus had to grit their teeth until the right opportunity to take her to safety.

"Really? You're giving me a mission? Really and truly!? Mother!" Nino happily voiced in jubilation.

Sonia grinned at Nino's elation and nodded. "I am. And it's a very big job at that. …It's for the king of Bern."

Nino became visibly shocked. "The king!? Such an important job… for me?"

Sonia once again nodded. "Normally this is a job for your brothers, but none of us have seen them since their last report."

'Liar. No thanks to you and your cronies, you witch.' Lloyd and Linus thought to themselves. But they had to endure, for Nino's sake. Sonia gave a slight glance to Jaffar that Nino did not notice, who then nodded. He was also privy to the recent attack on Brendan and his sons. A strange feeling made him uneasy about the girl who was adored by her stepfamily.

"Oh," Nino then was reminded. "Is Father OK? He hasn't been seen since I've arrived with Jaffar." Everyone who was eavesdropping twitched at the mention of Brendan.

Sonia then snorted. "You know how your father is. Worried about your brothers. With his efforts, Lloyd and Linus will be reunited with him very soon. So do your best so you can join them." Nino smiled innocently, relieved from her statement.

Lloyd and Linus trembled in anger at Sonia's half-truths that she was spitting out. Legault was thinking of ways to silence the woman once and for all. All the while, Ike narrowed his eyes, trying to think of a way to separate Nino from the group. But he noticed Jaffar seemed to flinch at Sonia's last sentence.

"In any event, Jaffar will be assisted by you, Nino." Sonia declared as she turned to Jaffar. "You've heard the King's request, did you not?"

Jaffar silently nodded.

"Prince Zephiel… He wants him assassinated."

Sure enough, Desmond's eagerness to end his own progeny was true. To the point where Ike hoped he would personally give the cur a piece of his mind.

"What? The prince?" Nino voiced out in shock. "The king wants to kill the prince? Why? He's his son, isn't he?"

Sonia then glared at Nino, annoyed by her questioning.

"Nino! Be quiet!" To which the girl meekly stepped back in the face of Sonia's harsh rebuke.

"Ah... I'm sorry." She uttered.

Lloyd and Linus looked concerned over the girl. None of them believed that she could be in league with Sonia. It was the more reason they needed to tell her the truth and take her away from the battlefield.

Jaffar took a glance at Nino and then back to Sonia. "... You're not serious?" To which Sonia narrowed her eyes at Nino.

"Yes, I'm serious. This girl is my daughter. She must prove herself as soon as possible." She declared, with no room to negotiate.

Jaffar then gave a rare shake of the head. "…Don't do this. This is too much for her."

It was then that the group eavesdropping looked at Jaffar strangely. The Angel of Death, brought in by Nergal and practically raised by him, giving reluctance towards the orders of his superiors, namely Nergal and his cronies?

Sonia shook her head with confidence. "As long as you're with her, there should be no problem. I'll brook no disagreement. We must have the king in our debt. Those are Lord Nergal's explicit orders."

It was then that Jaffar stood silent. He would accept the orders given by his superiors and his lord Nergal.

"Nino! You understand the consequences if you fail, don't you?" She warned to the little girl.

"Um… Yes." Nino nodded. Failure means death. Something her mother began to enforce upon taking control of the Fang.

"Then we're off to investigate the prince's manse. I'll provide more details on the way there."

With that, Sonia led her group out through the side entrance of the castle. While Ike and the others shifted to the side where they entered into the snow. Just as Jaffar and Nino were ready to follow her, Sonia suddenly stopped.

"Kenneth!" Sonia called out.

"Yes, Lady Sonia." Kenneth, the Shrike, bowed before his superior.

"Listen, Kenneth. You're in charge of the guard while I'm gone. Do not let anything happen to the item. You'll have some of my... men with you to help guard it." She then gave a sharp glare to the bishop while shifting her eyes to the side where the group listened in on them. "You understand that if you fail, you'll fall in line with them..."

The item Sonia was referring to... was the Fire Emblem, likely. Ike's group had to obtain the item for Murdock to get Heath back, or to avoid being listed as a target.

Not only that, Sonia was privy to the group hiding behind the building. Nothing was disclosed that the brothers already likely knew. She was aware of their presence the entire time, knowing if they struck, then their beloved sibling's life was over. Not that they would stop the inevitable, regardless...

"Understood. I will guard it with my life." Kenneth then gave a bowing gesture. He knew what Sonia was referring to. To think, his former associates would be turned into something perfected by his exalted lord Nergal. Uhai and his former commander should be grateful. Even the thought of being improved by his lord did not seem all that bad.

He would also be sure to give a warm welcome to the guests they were expecting. Some of their troops were seen situated not far from where they were. The Reed brothers and leader of the Greil Mercenaries were likely within the vicinity spying on them based on Sonia's eye movement, not that they were able to do anything with their sister in harm's way. They would likely regroup with the troop, and the most perfect opportunity to corner them...

With that, Sonia, Nino, and Jaffar headed North while Kenneth headed East to prepare. The group stood silent, the Reed brothers seeing their little sister off, unable to save her from the predicament at this time.

"...Let's regroup with the others. If she's going to be used for the mission, we might be able to intercept them before they reach the Prince." Ike announced to the trio.

Although it would be a difficult battle, they may be able to take on Jaffar giving the brothers enough time and opening to take Nino away. If their plan was to have just the pair go on their mission, then it was up to the Greil Mercenaries and the old Fang to stop them.

Ike and the old Fang marched to where their group awaited... only for Kenneth to warp right in between them.

"Hello, trespassers." Kenneth greeted the crowd. His sudden appearance had everyone reach for their weapons. He then turned to his former associates. "White Wolf and Mad Dog along with Hurricane. I bid you welcome. To think you all have rebelled and our cleaner doing nothing to enact the Fang's law... Quite amusing, isn't it? Heh heh heh heh."

"Shrike! Say your prayers!" Linus shouted out as he did not hesitate to use his blade to strike at the bishop, only for the man to warp away to the East.

"Oh my... how eager you are to have the first bite, Mad Dog." Kenneth remarked. "However, you shall not leave. Sonia has given me authority while she is away."

With a snap of the finger, a translucent light enveloped the area around a rough half-mile radius.

"A barrier?" Canas voiced out.

Everyone readied their weapons at the trap prepared for them.

"What better way to celebrate your visit than another guest?" He clapped and a rune circle appeared next to him with a new figure which infuriated half of the people present. Priscilla covered her mouth while Guy and Rath appeared offended at the sight of the newest... puppet present. Renault in particular narrowed his eyes at the familiar sight.

"You're a dead man, you godforsaken fool!" Linus spat out. Lloyd spoke nothing, only holding silent rage and sorrow at the fate of his former comrade and old friend. They now knew everything they were told was true... If only the truth wasn't so painful.

"Uhai..." Legault whispered while holding his daggers.

The once-proud Uhai displayed no reaction towards his former friends and allies. His pale complexion showing no emotion and only stares at his designated enemies.

"Are you still held in thrall of such a concept of a 'God'? You've met Lord Nergal, haven't you? Then there is something you must know. Gods are lies created by the weakness in all mankind. …If a god truly exists, then it is my lord Nergal. Only him." Kenneth basked while relishing in the anguish of the Reed brothers and Hurricane. "Nothing is more beautiful than the suffering of men. When I'm watching, I'm afloat in an ocean of pure bliss… I will watch you for a long, long time."

It was then Ike stepped forward while grasping the pommel of his blade.

"The man you worship is nothing more than a madman chasing after a forgotten dream..." Ike then pointed his sword at the Shrike and formerly proud Soaring Hawk. "And I'll end his miserable life, once and for all. Along with yours."

Some of the people present became confused by Ike's words but paid them no heed. They had a battle to focus on.

Kenneth narrowed his eyes at the blue-haired mercenary leader. He was to be apprehended while the rest were to perish. Teleporting himself and Uhai within the safety of the castle, swarms of wyverns began to emerge from the North and East, with special charms that allowed entry through the barrier. His squadron of mages would also stop the mercenaries in their tracks.

Seeing the flying wyverns and their riders with teams of mages come after them, they were all prepared.

"Are you all ready?" Everyone nodded at Ike's question. Jake already prepared more ballista bolts as the convoy was once again turned into a ballista carriage.

"Pegasus squadron, fend off the fliers to the East! Jake, assist archers by advancing with them to the North with the rest of the ground troops! Guy, Raven, Priscilla, we're marching through the front gates of the castle with the Reed family!"

"""Yes Sir!"""

Teams of wyverns were impeded by the snow, what was making it worse was that a shaman or druid casting unique wind spells at the riders, dealing effective damage by hitting them in midair. All the while arrows and ballista bolts kept raining at them by a Sacaen on horseback, a purple-haired fighter, and a carriage repurposed for a ballista. The knights and bishops they had kept fending off approaching mages or ground troops.

Harken remained slashing away his foes alongside their newest member, Karla. Bartre continued his rampage against mages who dared to threaten his rivals and comrades. Dart as the most recently promoted berserker, swung his axe at his foes with the vigor of a madman. They could hear the invocation of their acolytes behind them.

Bring forth light and purge the darkness with your brilliance!

DIVINE

A beam of light shot from underneath and hit the shamans and druids who approached the group. As the mage squadron sought to approach them, Canas took notice and switched to a new tome. This elder magic tome would be by far the most advanced yet.

I call upon the dark forces to plunge thine enemies into the dark abyss.

VERRINE

Seven magic circles surrounded the mages as dark miasma also began to be pooled into the vicinity. They couldn't leave as easily while impeded by the snow. In the next moment, the pool of miasma imploded, killing the mages before they could counterattack. The dark forces cleared away with a vortex along with the arcane circles.

It was then that the enemies began to fear for their lives. In the next moment, sounds of footsteps came from North as a long dark-haired man with a blue coat attire appeared and wielding a blood-red single-edged blade in hand. Their newest member, Karla, widened her eyes at the latest visitor.

"B-brother..." Karla voiced out. Some of the Greil Mercenaries glanced back at her in exasperation. Again, what are the odds!?

Maybe there was indeed some cosmic entity that brought everyone that they knew together.

"Ah... Karla." His eyes wandered to her wo dao and then to her comrades fighting alongside her, feeling slight glee at the sight of so many strong fighters fighting alongside her. But none of them have reached their peak.

Some ground troops and wyvern riders charged at their new intruder, only to be dispatched the next moment.

ASTRA

In a single flash, about five men along with wyverns who approached the swordsman fell with fatal cuts. With such blinding speed, the Black Fang/Bern wyvern rider numbers dwindled. Karla once again was reminded of the swordplay that her brother demonstrated. Even Bartre was shaken by the tremendous skill displayed by his rival's family. Just like Karla, inhumanly strong... Dangerous, and forbidding. All the more reason he sought to improve himself.

Karla knew her brother had changed. She wondered what happened to the boy who used to carry his lost sister in the plains. The warmth she felt by being on his back... and the shock she felt realizing her brother was the Sword Demon who sought out the strong.

"I planned on honing my blade against the Black Fang here. Seeing you, my sister, alongside so many strong individuals... Losing any of you would be a waste. I must see you all... stronger." He uttered to which brought a slight shiver to those who heard his last word while his sister became increasingly concerned. "I will wait for that time with much anticipation. To that extent, I shall continue. The feast awaits…" With those words, he continued to swiftly slash at his foes, leaving just the Greil Mercenaries alive to continue the battle. There were still enemies to deal with.

Karel, the Sword Demon, has joined the fray.

Florina, Farina, and Fiora fended off the rival wyvern knights that came out. They were far more coordinated in their flight patterns when attacking.

"Remember our training?" Fiora asked. To which Farina and Florina nodded excitedly.

"Behold the dancing wings of Ilia!" Farina added.

"Tri...TRIANGLE ATTACK!" Florina declared.

Circling themselves into the air, Fiora shot out first at a downward angle from the top, then Farina at a upward angle from a lower position, both giving significant wounds to a wyvern lord. Finally, Florina twirled her lance and finished with a thrust of her lance, piercing both the wyvern and its rider.

The riders who only numbered three demonstrated coordination and teamwork beyond what the riders of Bern could achieve. Just as the wyvern riders hoped to retreat after their fallen leader, the sound of something being shattered was heard. Next came the flapping of wings as a single lone blonde rider sped towards them with a notable scar on her face and thigh. She held a spear that held a dark aura surrounding it while grinning wildly.

The pegasus trio were worried thinking they were about to deal with a strong wyvern commander. However, what happened in the next moment surprised them.

"C-commander Vaida! We-!" One rider stammered while excited of reinforcements. Just as he was about to report or be glad to receive backup, he found himself and his wyvern pierced with the spear that was thrown by the Dragon Fang General. A rope that was attached to the spear was pulled back as the wyvern troops despaired at the approaching army from a distance that was behind her along with a wyvern rider with green hair and silver eyes.

Florina and Fiora gleamed with happiness at the sight of familiar faces fending off ground troop reinforcements of the enemy. The barrier spell shattered. Lyn and the Lycian army. They all came.

"You are all traitors for serving solely for your own interests instead of contributing for the future of Bern. Murdock told me to spare no rogue rider under the Black Fang. And that includes you traitors." Vaida's proclamation brought despair to the wyvern riders present. "Now die!"

Needless to say, once Vaida received the full explanation from Murdock and Heath, she was fuming. With such disloyal fools prancing about following orders from mad men to even attack villagers, she knew what to do. She even shattered the barrier with the enchanted spear she held.

Although she knew the spear would likely last for this one battle, it was more than enough to deal with the enemies in the base.

With that, the Greil Mercenaries and old Fang had reinforcements. Wind spells were shot out by the Mage General of Etruria and his adoptive son, while the Countess fired arrows after arrows alongside two fellow archers, occasionally twirling their arrows up in midair, and catching them to shoot at the wyverns, who fell asleep mid-flight, leaving the riders to fall to their deaths or be finished off by the advancing Lycian army.

The battle was coming to a close.

Kenneth clicked his tongue as he felt the barrier dissipate. Something of great magical power must have hit it with great force to cause it to break.

He could hear the sounds of battle drowning in the cries of not of his foes, but of his own men. They were meant to number over a hundred, but with higher quality based on the morphs mixed in. At this rate, he could only count on the small elite troops given by Sonia, including Uhai, who was at the front, guarding the entrance of the throne room Kenneth resided. Footsteps, clashes, and doors being unlocked, it was clear they managed to break through despite the overwhelming advantage in numbers. Even the mage squadron of morphs were quickly dispatched based on the lack of cries after the sounds of being slashed by their foes. They were of the emotionless type like Uhai and that Limstella.

He had to move quick, he went out of the throne room and awaited their intruders alongside Uhai. There, they stood as they awaited for their intruders. Light footsteps could be heard as the sounds of battle stopped. And from the West, Kenneth spotted his targets, with a Sacaen swordsman and red-haired lad and lass beside him. All of them glaring at Kenneth.

"It's over." Ike declared.

They've dealt with the mage squadrons coming from the stairs of the castle. The outside forces were also being wiped out as they speak. But it didn't matter. As death would be the only outcome for Kenneth if he dared to escape without accomplishing anything. At the very least, he could bring down Lloyd and Linus and teleport away with their bodies. Maybe even capture the blue-haired mercenary leader.

"You're doing much better than I had anticipated. But it's about time to put an end to this." Kenneth announced.

Uhai readied his Reinfleche while on his horse while Kenneth started his invocation. Legault and the Reed brothers glanced back at the mercenaries, as if gesturing them to allow them to handle the clean up. Ike and the others nodded and stepped back. However, Ike glanced back at Priscilla who quickly gestured to her horse to retreat behind the wall.

"Uhai... this blasphemy will end soon." Legault swore solemnly, as he twirled his daggers. Kenneth smirked at the old Fang's attempt to "save" their former comrade.

Divine rings that surround thyself and my enemies, I beckon thee!

AURA

Rings of light shot forth from Kenneth and aimed towards the two of the Four Fangs. Evading the rings, the dashed towards Uhai, who notched his arrow and released it, flying towards Mad Dog. Linus quickly put up his shield, only for the arrow to easily pierce through his defense and lodge itself into Linus's shoulder. The sheer force of the arrow pushed back Linus and stunned him, as he grimaced in pain.

"Linus!" Lloyd called out. In the next moment, Lloyd's reflexes kicked in and he was forced to evade more light rings from Kenneth. Uhai released another arrow at Lloyd, who was forced to use his blade to deflect the projectile.

The clang of the arrow tip and blade resounded as Lloyd was forced to use all his strength to redirect the arrow away from himself, finally allowing the projectile to ricochet off the sword's surface, instead hitting the castle wall where the arrow lodged itself deep into the corridor. Lloyd panted from the sheer exhaustion from having to avoid the arrow, in which his blade had just sustained a crack.

Just as Uhai and Kenneth readied their weapons, Kenneth eyes widened in horror as found himself enveloped by a purple pyramid.

SILENCE

Kenneth could no longer chant his invocations while under a silence spell, nor could he cast a teleportation spell. His eyes wandered to the corner where the red-haired valkyrie held a silence staff in hand. The very Silence staff that was given by Harken to their convoy and transferred to Priscilla for use.

As he hoped to move behind Uhai, a dagger shot out at the bishop, landing straight into his chest. Unable to let out a noise, he quietly spat out blood from his punctured lung as Legault quickly advanced towards the Shrike. With a single stroke of another dagger, the Hurricane slashed the throat of Kenneth, who stumbled backwards and fell without a single word to utter.

Uhai who noticed this, quickly maneuvered his horse and bow to aim at Legault, only to swiftly shift in a different direction and fire his arrow at a hand axe that came his way, destroying the weapon. Linus's diversion worked, having the morph look in the direction of Mad Dog, who has removed the arrow in his shoulder and recovered. Legault quickly took the dagger lodged in Kenneth who laid dead, and threw both the daggers at the horse, causing it to stand on its hind legs and rear about, allowing Uhai to lose his balance and fall off his horse. Sure enough, the horse he had was still normal.

""Aaaaagggghhhhh!""

Lloyd and Linus jumped and roared at the fallen Sacaen, with their blades ready to plunge into the morph. Their memories flashing as they reminisced the good times Uhai and the others fought alongside one another. Fighting against the corrupt, helping the people, the laughs they shared with the stoic, yet proud Sacaen. They were all proud of the man, the honorable man that they called the Soaring Hawk, Uhai.

Their blades finally stabbed into the downed man they once called family. The pale man then had his color having returned for a moment, and smiled warmly at the pair of siblings whose expressions were filled with anguish and in shock of the morph's sudden actions. Holding Reinfleche out to the Reed brother without hostility, they caught onto the hand holding the bow, only for Uhai to turn to dust the next moment. Leaving just a powerful bow in the hands of White Wolf and Mad Dog. Along with dust in front of the brothers.

"H-he smiled. We all thought they were..." Guy managed to voice out.

It was then that everyone's mouth gaped, and realized a horrific truth. The reanimated people still had their original souls, trapped inside the poor reconstruction of their bodies.

Suddenly, the West door finally broke open. With Renault at the entrance witnessing the group and the pile of dust at the Reed brother's feet.

"I thought you said they were soulless..." Ike spoke while he continued staring at the man's remains. It was then that Renault caught onto the implication from the mercenary commander and the pile of dust in front of the Reed brothers' feet.

"Indeed... Based on what you've said just now, it appears they've become more horrific over the years since I've last seen one." Renault replied as he walked to the trio who remained silent. Lloyd, Linus, and Legault's expression were not seen as they continued staring down at remains of Uhai.

"Was your friend... was he finally freed?" The bishop asked the three who were still as statues.

It was then that the trio walked towards the West exit without a word, with Lloyd holding Reinfleche in his hand. At the foot of the entrance, Lloyd stopped for a moment while his back was being watched. Legault and Linus looked at Lloyd from outside the castle, with a sad smile.

"Yes..." He uttered while not turning to face the group. "Our friend, the Soaring Hawk, could once again fly freely. And with Father Sky as his witness."

Once the castle had been ransacked, the enemy bodies were looted and quickly cremated. Ike searched the room where Kenneth had been. Sure enough... it was a false lead. Sonia and her cronies were expecting Ike and the others to search for the item. Scouring the base for the artifact, they lost precious time. Time that could have been used to intercept Jaffar and Nino's mission.

"Ike?" The sound of Lyn's voice brought Ike's attention to the girl in question.

"Lyn, you're here." Ike voiced out. "I assume they wanted the Fire Emblem before giving way to the Shrine of Seals?" To which the girl of the plains nodded. "Well, it's not around here, they were expecting us. I bet Sonia or her underlings may have it."

She shook her head as she stepped closer to Ike. "I'm just glad you and the others are safe. I'm surprised you found Florina and Fiora's sister. Along with Harken."

The man in question was currently kneeling before his lord, who only felt relief that the trusted knight of his father had lived. His fellow knights: Marcus, Lowen, and even his fiance, Isadora, were all glad to see the man alive.

"Hey! Lovebirds!" Hector called out from the entrance to the room. "The Reed brothers told us that the Fire Emblem might be here, did you find it? Everyone searched everywhere in this base." The shake of the head from Ike made him snarl. "Damn! I bet it was a lie from those monsters..."

Sonia anticipated potential failure on Kenneth's part and made a contingency measure to not entrust the Fire Emblem to him. The whole conversation with Kenneth was a false lead to delay their forces if her underlings did not succeed.

"That's not important right now. We could find it later. What's important is stopping the assassination of Prince Zephiel." Ike replied. "We have to stop Jaffar and Nino from reaching him."

They couldn't allow the Reed family's youngest to go through with her mission. Moreover, they had a bad feeling that there was more to the mission that Nino was given. It should have been just Jaffar to accomplish the task...

"I know where the Prince's manse is. I could lead you there." Vaida appeared before the trio and a Warp staff in hand. She then threw it over to Ike, who caught the stave. "Take this. Murdock told me to hand it to you. I bet he'll be forced to be separated from Prince Zephiel by that fool on the throne."

"You must be Vaida. Thanks for bringing Heath with you." Ike replied to which she shrugged it off.

It was a relief for Ike as he heard that Heath was released as he was scavenging for the artifact. Murdock did not want to hesitate in ensuring Ike and the other gain enough help to assist his prince.

"Save introductions for later. We must save our lord, our true king of Bern."

Ike nodded and walked to the exit.

"Let's set course for the Prince's manse!"

"Tch." Sonia clicked her tongue as she looked into the distance where the base was located. After Nino went off in joy after promising her to embrace the girl, she realized the barrier had broken for awhile. It looked like Kenneth and the puppet Uhai did not prevail. 'What a waste of resources... Useless human refuse.' She thought to herself.

Moreover, it was likely that her "sons" were alive. Her hunch in not handing the Fire Emblem to Kenneth was correct. That farce of a conversation they had to mislead the ones spying on them was the correct choice... All the more reason to hand it over to someone that is one of Nergal's finest.

"Jaffar!" The man in question was looking in the direction of where Nino headed off to. He turned his head to Sonia.

"What is it?" He replied with a question.

"Once you've killed the prince, kill Nino, too."

It was then that Jaffar looked alarmed. "What!?" But Sonia paid it no mind.

"The assassinations… Both come directly by the king's request. The prince is well loved, and his death will trigger much chaos. If the assassin is not caught and hanged immediately, the chaos will engulf Bern. A scapegoat is needed. Do you understand?" Sonia queried to the Angel of Death.

By taking out both the prince and Nino, they could ensure that an unknown assassin died in the struggle. And that assassin would be Nino. All the while, Lloyd and Linus's precious stepsister dies and gets painted as the killer of the heir to the throne of Bern.

"Nino is your daughter!" Jaffar attempted to point out.

Sonia then snorted in response. Nino wasn't her daughter anyways.

"She is trash. Garbage. Human refuse. I'm just happy at last to have found a use for her. She did say she would do anything to please her loving mother, did she not? Her death will please me more than her living ever did." She haughtily replied. "Moreover, the Reed brothers have turned their back on the Fang, they cherish her. All the more reason to crush their morale after their father perished. They deserve that much for defying the Fang's law. The Black Fang belongs to Lord Nergal."

No doubt Jan had escaped based on the lack of reports on him. He likely informed the brothers that Brendan had made a last stand against his wife.

Jaffar stood motionless, staring at Sonia as if she was something else entirely.

"…What is it? Do you have something to say?" She asked.

"…This…has nothing to do with me." Jaffar responded. To which Sonia nodded.

"When Lord Nergal found you as an orphan, he chose you because of your callous heart and your skill with a blade. Lord Nergal does not give second chances. Do not forget. Also..." She handed over the imperial seal of Bern to Jaffar. It was an glowing orb with a figure of a dragon biting its own tail surrounding it. The Fire Emblem.

"I couldn't leave the artifact in the hands of that failure, Shrike. Leave it with Nino once she's dead. They could paint her as the thief on top of being the Prince's murderer." Sonia ordered to Jaffar. "Go now, while the intruders and traitors are preoccupied with finding the artifact. We'll deal with all of them, soon enough."

Fae's Adventures in Tellius Part 3

"I'm telling you, milord. I saw it with my beady eyes! She was a bird-tribe laguz welcomed by the Goldoans!" The raven laguz then gestured to his wings. "She even had white wings with a teal color at the end! Although it resembled more like a furry tail, if anything."

King Naesala of Kilvas looked intrigued by the report from his subordinates. They were skulking near the reefs of Goldoa until they spotted a young girl hoping to go fishing. Some of the Goldoan guards at the outposts paid her no mind. Kurthnaga was the youngest dragon in Goldoa, so the young girl couldn't have been a dragon to his knowledge.

Moreover, dragon laguz did not possess wings in their untransformed state. So why on earth was a laguz not of their own, welcomed? There was no official notice for a meeting to take place yet. When did the old fossil gain a heart?

And the wings that were described... only members of the Heron royal family possess white wings discounting the fact that the ends of child's wings were teal. White dragons only possess them in a transformed state. Maybe a interbreeding occurred between a royal and another laguz (no matter how low the possibility of conceiving was) or it was just a mutation.

"Should we inform Prince Reyson, Nestling?" Naesala's elderly chamberlain, Naeluchi, asked. To which Naesala quickly shook his head.

"I don't want to give the man false hope. I doubt it's one of his kin. That's too much, even for me."

Even though they were not on the best of terms, he wouldn't allow harm to come to Reyson or any surviving Heron tribe. It doesn't mean he won't involve the former in his schemes, though.

"Alright, I'll bite with my beak. Where's this kid at?"

Naesala and his raven subordinate peered out to the distance hiding behind rocks, where a young child with magenta short-hair sat on top of a lone reef with a fishing pole in hand, patiently waiting for fish to nibble while reading a cute book about legendary heroes... not that she knows what heroes are.

"How long has this been going on? I swear, my ears have picked up on this girl's humming and singing for the past hour. And I know that bait has long gone since she started fishing." Naesala complained. "And I know that rod isn't meant for the sea! As well as the fact her twig arms won't be able to hold onto the rod that long!"

Indeed, she was using a fishing rod meant for a steady pond, and not for the sea. She didn't notice that the line had wandered close to the shore where no fish can get it, as she was too preoccupied reading her book.

"My king! I see Prince Kurthnaga and his attendant coming." His attendant pointed out.

Gareth and Kurthnaga ran to the shore where they spotted Fae on the reef some distance away.

"Fae! There you are!" Kurthnaga called out. Fae looked to the prince and waved to him. "What are you doing?"

"Catching yummy fish! Someone lent it to Fae!" She replied with a smile.

It was then they looked at the rod and saw that the line was far too close. Moreover, this fishing rod was meant for a pond, not the sea.

It was then that Gareth stepped up. "Fae!" He called out. "Take that rod with you and we'll find stiller waters to fish in. I will assist you."

Fae then beamed with excitement and nodded eagerly. Her wings were then revealed with Naesala's eyes widening at the sight.

No doubt, why was such a laguz present in Goldoa? 'Did the bald geezer grow a heart or lighten up on his isolationist policy?' Naesala thought to himself. He snorted in amusement, looks like it was worth watching the child for the past hour.

Moreover, what kind of bird tribe laguz was she to possess white wings (with teal at the end)? She couldn't be a Heron royal...

Grabbing her book and fishing equipment, she flew to where the dragon pair were waiting for her.

"Keep watch of that girl if she ever comes near this reef or near other shores. Be sure not to be discovered." Naesala ordered. They were not even supposed to be near these waters, as this was also Phoenicisian territory.

The raven laguz gave a salute and flew off to inform his fellow ravens. Naesala continued looking in the direction where the girl happily went with Gareth and Kurthnaga. Suddenly, he was reminded of the past when Reyson and Leanne were still children.

"What to do... what to do..."