Sunrise

A/N: I wanted to mention something about how this game fits in relation to some of my other stories. Basically, I wrote Tarnish right after playing the game and it was, for me, my version of what happened afterwards, something to bridge the gap between the A support and the paired ending. Legacies then was its sequel. In my mind Perspectives and Rain both exist in the same continuum, though I was careful to make them stand alones. At the same time, though, I tried do make sure they didn't contradict events in Tarnish. This story, however, stands as AU to Tarnish. It takes places during the war and it's a little different. So yeah... you can see for yourself...

Prologue

Standing there, on the outskirts of Darkling Woods, one would never guess that it was spring. Elsewhere in the world, life was beginning again: Flowers sprouted from the earth; trees bloomed; animals woke from their winter rest, but spring never came to Darkling Woods. Instead, the trees remained forever barren, the earth itself tainted when the Demon King's blood had been spilled long ago. And now that corruption seemed to be spreading beyond, for though they remained some distance still from the Woods, the trees here had already begun to shed their leaves and the forest was painted with the colours of an unnatural autumn.

Seth let his eyes wander among the boughs of the dying trees. How strange that even as their life drained away they could be so beautiful, lustrous with orange, copper, and saffron leaves.

"Is everything ready?" Eirika asked one of the soldiers. Even at a distance Seth could hear her voice clearly. It rang out like the chime of Castle Renais's bells that had welcomed him home from battles in days past. He remembered now how she would stand on the castle ramparts to watch him parade into the courtyard.

"Yes, Princess," the soldier replied. "We've set up guard along the perimeter– twice the normal numbers. We're ready for anything, my lady."

"Good."

If only she would stay behind this time...

Seth did not turn as someone came to stand next to him. After all these years, he recognised Ephraim's steps. "It won't be long now."

"Yes, sire," he replied, though his eyes continued to follow Eirika.

"By this time tomorrow we should be near the black temple." From the corner of his eye Seth could see Ephraim glancing at him. "I hope you're not thinking of trying to talk her out of going. You know how Eirika is when she sets her mind to something."

Seth could not help but smile. "Indeed, my lord." Her face was aglow in the gathering dusk. Even on the eve of battle, on the cusp of a terrible darkness, she remained radiant. "I will do everything in my power to protect her."

"I don't doubt it," Ephraim said, clapping Seth on the shoulder. "But for now why don't you go spar with her? She was looking for a partner a minute ago."

"But–"

"My sister deserves to learn from the best." Ephraim's tone made it clear that he would brook no argument.

Had Ephraim noticed that he'd been avoiding Eirika at camp, Seth wondered fleetingly. It was for her own good– for both of them really...

Perhaps... I did feel something more for you then. Even just the memory of those words was enough to make his chest clench, to make him want to reach out and caress her face, to wrap his arms around her. It was better to avoid temptation. It would be easier for both of them if they didn't... socialize.

"Seth, is there a problem?"

Seth straightened. He'd allowed himself to be distracted even in the presence of his King– for that is what Ephraim would be once they returned to Renais. "No, sire. This place is... unsettling. That's all."

Ephraim nodded. "I'm going to tour camp, talk to our troops. I think everyone is a little unsettled this evening. You'll take care of Eirika?" he added with a raised eyebrow.

"Of course."

As Ephraim left, what choice did have but to obey his liege and go to her?

"Seth," she said, smiling as she saw him. Her long hair, flowing down her back, was wind-tousled after a day in the saddle. Her fair skin had burned easily in the heat of the Jehanna desert and was drier now, slightly rough like any soldier's. Her hands were growing calluses from all these months of wielding a blade. He'd wished to spare her from these trials, but she was no longer the innocent girl he'd rescued from Castle Renais... yet somehow, he found he only loved her the more for what she'd become.

He bowed "My lady."

"How are you?" She asked it as if she'd not seen him in ages. It was true, though, that he'd avoided her all day, stood away from her during the briefing a few hours ago, done all he could to avoid having to speak with her.

"I am quite well." He cleared his throat. "Lord Ephraim said you were in a need of a sparring partner."

Her smile faded. "Oh. Yes." His heart ached at the wounded expression that flitted over her features and he so wanted to brush his fingers over her face and tangle them in her wind-blown hair. But his affection could only shame her, he reminded himself. She was a princess and she deserved... she deserved far better than him. "You needn't trouble yourself, Seth," she said, not meeting his eyes.

"It's no trouble, milady," he replied, straightening. "It's important that you feel prepared for whatever we may face in Darkling Woods."

Eirika turned to look towards the Woods. The barren branches of the trees had grown together in a tangled mass like writhing limbs that groaned when the wind trembled through them. It was as if the souls devoured by the Demon King now stood guard over his resting place. "Lyon..." she whispered. "I can't believe we'll have to fight Lyon."

He couldn't help himself. He moved closer to her, lay a hand on her shoulder. "You'll not face him alone."

Closing her eyes a moment, she breathed deeply and then nodded. "I know. But, Seth, after the war, when all this is over..."

His heart was hammering in his chest. "Lady Eirika..." What point was there in contemplating a future that had only duty and heartache to offer him?

"Seth–"

She broke off as he drew his sword and spun towards the forest.

Seth reacted on instinct alone as he sensed something barrelling towards them. But as he knocked Eirika out of the way, bringing them both to the ground, he felt the force of a blow and heat searing his neck. Pain raced through his blood like wildfire.

He never felt the ground beneath him and the pain faded as quickly as it had begun, leaving behind only a kind of languor. He'd been wounded in battle many times, but never before had he felt so weak, so tired. A heaviness settled into his limbs and even his eyelids seemed too heavy to open. He wondered for a moment if he was dying, but, in the end, he was too tired to give it much thought and instead let the darkness wrap him in its warm embrace.