For all you Pent fans, this chapter's dedicated to you… and typical FE and GS fans too I guess. Actually why am I dedicating this chapter to fans in the first place? They know who they are and it's not like either fan-base has died or something... Anyway, I'm pushing back FE6 and FE7's timeline back a bit so that the lords and other couples won't be overly busy with their children/dead or something like that. (Karlaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Besides Canas dying in a blizzard is BS)

Review Response Corner :D

jokershipper: Shh! (Those are spoilers!) Anyway, I assume all those questions means that you're interested in the story, which is awesome. (Don't worry they get explained soon. For the sun related questions… let's say Elibe has a lot of *puts on sunglasses* Dark Dawns. jk). Also thanks for the thorough review; knowing my mistakes helps.

Disclaimer: Still only own my save data. Those 120+ hours I put into my attempts at S ranking LHM, EHM and HHM as well as grinding in GS, GSTLA, and GSDD aren't going anywhere.

"Well what do we do now?" Tyrell asked the obvious question. To be fair, the question was on all of the adepts' minds after they had realized they weren't prepared to cross a desert even with all their preparation; Tyrell had just been the first to speak.

"I'm not sure what we can do without knowing where we are," Reif answered. "Maybe the map Ivan gave us will help."

"Good idea," Karis said as she began digging in her personal bag until she found the map and laid it on the ground so everyone could see. The map was in surprisingly good condition for being an estimated 1,000 years old; although, it was probably older than that. Miraculously it was still foldable to a degree and didn't crumble to dust when touched. The adepts gathered around the map as Karis tried to make sense of the map.

"I think we're… No, probably…" Karis trailed off as she looked over the map; pointing at places where they might be. It was strange; on the map there were some helpful notes, however there wasn't the slightest indication of a desert in any way, shape, or form. Finally with a defeated sigh Karis looked up and said, "I have no idea where we are."

The other adepts responded with "what?" with different amounts of volume and emotion. The common emotion was surprise that Karis had actually been stumped by a mere map when she had helped Matthew with some of the harder puzzles and guard mechanisms that they had frequently run into during their journey. The other emotion, courtesy of Tyrell, was aggression.

"What do you mean you don't know where we are?" Tyrell shouted, creating an echo.

"Exactly what I said, Tyrell; I don't know where we are!" Karis yelled back also creating an echo.

Matthew sighed, even in their current predicament Karis and Tyrell still had the time to argue it seemed. He considered stepping in to intervene but past experiences of only getting one or the other more upset because he was supposedly "taking a side" stopped him. He decided to let them yell it out because it had been proven to work in the past. "Besides, it's not like anyone else is in the ruins or nearby to hear them," Matthew reasoned with himself.

- Blazing Sun –

A lone Arcadian dragon ran through the halls looking for his master. The dragon, known as Reyv to his acquaintances and his master, was the closest thing to a purebred fire dragon on Elibe's side of the Dragon's Gate, his father being half fire dragon/half human and his mother being completely fire dragon; his blood played a crucial role in his apprenticeship. A simple red cloak befitting a mage, although he'd been told he already had the magical power of a sage, was draped over his blue tunic and brown pants.

"Master, where are you Master?" Reyv shouted through the corridors; his master hadn't been in his room with wife where Reyv thought he'd be. He didn't notice his silver-haired master, reading as he walked, until they were about a foot apart; but, by then it was too late and the pair tumbled to the ground after colliding with each other.

"What do you want at such a late hour?" Pent asked with a groan when he noticed his apprentice sprawled on the floor as he stood up, tome still in hand. "I heard you from the main library, Reyv."

"It's the temple where the Archsage's Forblaze is kept," Reyv said rapidly even as he stood up. "A light that was strong enough to blind Elimine herself came from it not half an hour ago with some very loud yelling shortly after. I've been trying to find you since then."

"So they've arrived…" Pent said to himself. "I wonder how Mark will feel about meeting others like him."

"Master, are you referring to the Archsage's first prophecy?"

"Yes I am Reyv," Pent answered solemnly. "Now shall we go and greet our guests?" Pent asked as he started mumbling the teleport incantation. Reyv knew it wasn't a question; if he didn't he'd probably be the one example that defied the popular saying among dragons, "with age, comes wisdom". He was nearly 1,000 years old, much like the dragon oracle Ninian. Secretly he wanted to meet her and the many others that Pent had told him about when he returned to Arcadia without the Archsage.

It wasn't like he had a choice in the matter anyway; the incantation was short and surprisingly uncomplex considering the amount of magic one had to possess in order to keep their life after using so much of their magic. In short, it could be performed at a moment's notice and Reyv wouldn't have time to move if he wanted to. Next thing he knew he was outside the temple's entrance and Pent was shoving him inside saying, "you look more like a messenger me".

Reyv wanted to protest that, if his dragonstone wasn't being kept from him until he was an official sage, he could transform into his fire dragon form whenever he wanted; however, Pent would remind him why it was being kept from him until then. It bothered him whenever that topic was brought up so, with a defeated sigh, he marched forward into the temple trying his best to hide his sour mood.

Even with his mood, the brilliant blue of the inner temple stunned him; it probably helped that he'd been told this was Athos' personal study for the many years he'd been in Arcadia and that alone, not counting the beauty of the temple, was enough to brighten his mood considerably. Near the throne he counted eight figures of varying sizes all bent over something and figured they were the "visitors" Pent had sent him to meet with.

Not knowing what else to do he just continued walking hoping that they'd eventually notice him. About halfway to the group of eight two of them broke away and started walking towards him. As the two grew closer Reyv noted one was male and the other was female; their clothing was also very outlandish. The female had silver hair like his master's and pointed ears like his, whereas the male had a strange golden color to his hair and normal ears; he wondered if the female was a divine dragon and the male was her bodyguard.

- Blaze –

"Finally, we're out of that blasted council," Hector said as he and Eliwood exited the council. The council had lasted into the next day due to all the bickering.

"Come now Hector," Eliwood said wearily, "it wasn't that bad."

"You sure you're nerves aren't just frayed Eliwood? All we did was sit and listen as various Marquees, and Caelin's representative, bickered with one another over a friend of ours. It was more boring than numbers class!"

"To be realistic it is Mark's fault for disappearing so-"

"Milord Hector!" one of the nearby Ostian guards shouted as he ran up and kneeled before Hector. "Your wife left the castle while you were gone and has yet to return," he said in a whisper.

"What!" Hector roared causing the guard to seemingly shrink into his armor and several passing Marquees to stop in their tracks. "What the hell were the castle guards doing!"

"Apparently o-one of h-her maids helped h-her l-leave unnoticed…" the poor guard managed to say despite his trembling. "S-She left a n-note saying where s-she was going."

Hector raised his eyebrow yet still managed to keep his intimidating face. "Where did she go?" His voice dropped dangerously low; it didn't help his temper was one of the things he wasn't good at keeping in check.

"I-I was told to give it t–to you," the guard said as he held out a sealed letter. The second Hector took the letter out of the guard's hand the guard was gone lest he be subject to more of Hector's wrath.

Hector torn open the letter so furiously, Eliwood, and the small crowd that had gathered at the base of the steps, were amazed he hadn't torn the letter itself in two. Hector's expression seemed to calm as he read the letter and by the time he finished reading he no longer looked like he was going to kill someone.

"What's it say?" Eliwood asked after Hector's expression had calmed.

"Nothing much," Hector began in a whisper. "It says she heard that Lord Hausen was sick, and possibly dying, so she decided to visit Lyndis in Caelin to support her."

"That makes sense," Eliwood began. "Ninian did mention that she wanted to visit Caelin. Unfortunately, Roy needs her and she knows that something as excessive as traveling to Caelin will only shorten her time here."

Hector smacked himself. "Sweet Elimine, Lilina!" Hector nearly shouted but somehow managed to keep it to a loud whisper. "If Florina isn't taking of Lilina than who is?"

"Peace, Hector. I'm sure Florina thought of that before she left." Eliwood said as he slung a reassuring arm around his taller friend's neck. "At the worst you'll have to give your undivided attention to Lilina for a few days."

"Elimine save me," Hector joked as he and Eliwood headed for castle Ostia. "I suppose now I'll have to send some guards after her so it looks like it was planned beforehand."

"That would be surprisingly wise of you Hector," Eliwood laughed.

"Hey!"

- Blaze -

Mark awoke to the sound he'd been dreading for the past year and a half: footsteps other than his own. Obviously, in Bulgar it wasn't an issue because in the trading city of Sacae many people walked around looking for trinkets or supplies; they weren't looking for him. "No one should be out here," Mark thought to himself as his eyes adjusted, not that he needed them to. Using his "magic" he surveyed the area around his- Lyn's Ger; it was a useful trick he'd picked up at the start of the "Caelin Struggle" as he called it. He had to admit the success of both the Caelin Struggle and the Unknown War was partly because of that particular ability.

His survey revealed a lone woman; he could tell her gender based on certain… things. She seemed to be pacing in front of hi- Lyn's Ger; however, there was no clanking sound so it was unlikely she was after him, or in the very least Bernese, but Mark didn't live by himself for a year and a half without becoming paranoid. As silently as he could, Mark donned his chestplate and grabbed his sword before moving to the closed opening of the Ger.

The woman stopped pacing suddenly, as if he heard Mark moving, but quickly renewed her pacing; this time mumbling something as well, "when will the sun rise".

"Strange," Mark thought, "why would she wait for the sun to rise?" Not even Mark's vast knowledge could decipher any probable meaning to the woman's words. Mark wished his ability would give him a detailed look of the woman but all he could see was a general outline, which was usually not very accurate; he remembered that Wallace had looked like a bear when he used his ability.

Before he could elaborate further a certain memory from the Unknown War was brought to the front of his mind. In the memory, Florina paced in front of the tent he shared with Hector. It was early in the morning; like it was now, as she waited for the sun to rise. At the time Mark had been confused until a loud snore from Hector made him realize that Florina was probably waiting for Hector to wake up.

After the brief memory Mark was relatively certain it was Florina out there now; however, that made even less sense then when he didn't know who was out there. Florina was married to Hector, effectively being the wife of Marquess Ostia and as such she shouldn't have been able to be in Sacae without, at the very least, a score of Ostia's finest.

"This shouldn't be possible!" Mark screamed in his head. "As the wife to a Marquess she should have a least one guard to protect her, no matter what Hector says. News of her departure would've spread and reached me by now…" Suddenly a realization donned on the famed strategist. "The knights were decoys to keep my attention off of Ostia's movements… Damn you Hector!" Mark shouted, knowing full well that the woman would hear him.

To his surprise, nothing happened. Additionally the sound of footsteps disappeared along with the outline he could see with his "magic". Entirely confused Mark threw open the entrance flap to find, once again to his surprise, nothing there; not even footprints on the ground. Mark stepped outside the Ger and checked feathers from a pegasus or scales from wyvern to see if they'd flown away but found nothing of the sort. Mark didn't notice the pinkish cloud envelop him as he searched for signs of a human.

Suddenly panic overtook Mark; in his mind he imagined himself waking up to clanking armor and marching soldiers that slowly surrounded the Ger. He raced back into the Ger to put on the rest of his armor and his original cloak before putting all the supplies he could hold in his spare cloak, using it as a sack of sorts, and fled to the southwest. He decided that when he reached the fort he and Pent usually met in, about a week long journey, he'd teleport to Arcadia where no one could find him; Sacae was no longer safe enough for the paranoid strategist and he was willing to risk his life to remain hidden.

Had Mark looked up in his moment of panic he would've seen a teal haired man dressed in a white robe with a mask covering his forehead and left eye floating above the Ger. In his hand he held an empty bottle labeled 'Delusion Perfume'. "So Chalis was right," the masked man said. "It really does have a stronger effect on stronger minds. Truly a shame she and Blados disobeyed orders and paid the price," he chuckled darkly. "I almost regret setting them up for personal gain."

"With any luck the Superb Mind forgot what I was sent to retrieve," the masked man thought as he floated down and began searching the Ger.

- Blazing Sun –

Matthew studied the man walking towards them. The man wasn't taller than Tyrell and didn't look very threatening, but for some reason his warrior's instinct was telling him to be careful around him. It confused the young adept because the man seemed to be scared of them after he had gotten a better look at Sveta and himself. It raised questions in his mind like "were beastpeople feared" or "was silver hair a bad sign"? However he resisted the urge to ask his questions until he explained things.

"G-Greetings," the man stuttered as he addressed them, although he was focused on Sveta. "I've been told you're looking for someone."

"How do you know about us?" Matthew asked, rightfully suspicious of the man. It was a precaution due to all of the tricks the Tuaparang had pulled on them in the past; he didn't doubt that the Tuaparang would set a trap for them at the very spot where they would arrive.

The man didn't seem to notice, or maybe he just didn't care; for all Matthew knew the man could swat him like a fly. "The Archsage told of your arrival several years ago," the man said, sounding somewhat more relaxed.

"Could we meet with him?" Sveta asked hopefully.

"I'm afraid you can't," the man said. "Archsage Athos died shortly after he gave the prophecy exclusively to my master and someone like you. I'd tell you more but my master knows more about the subject than I. If you'd gather your friends I can show you to his study."

"Thank you for your kindness, we'll be back shortly," Sveta said before grabbing Matthew's arm and nearly dragging him back towards the group.

"What did you find out with Spirit Sense that you had to drag me like that?" Matthew asked when they were back with the other adepts.

"There wasn't much," Sveta said somewhat regretfully. "It almost felt like he had a mental wall blocking his thoughts."

"Do you think he part of the Tuaparang?" Reif asked. "I mean no one knows where their homeland is; who's to say it isn't down here? Not to mention they'd know about your Spirit Sense ability."

"I don't think he's Tuaparang."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I don't think the Tuaparang are a race of dragons or that they would confuse me for a 'divine dragon' that purges earth dragons."

The other adepts, save the Venus adepts who remained silent and giggled respectively, burst out laughing when Sveta finished speaking. "You're kidding right?" Eoleo asked still laughing.

"I'm completely serious," Sveta said dryly, causing the laughing to immediately stop with Eoleo muttering a near inaudible "oh".

- Blazing Sun –

Reyv led the "adepts", or so they called themselves, through the most untraveled streets of Arcadia; it simply wouldn't do to risk the chance of one of the dragon council seeing the group after all. Normally it would have been easy enough to sneak through Arcadia in the dead of night; however, the amount of, what seemed to be, dragon magic that radiated off of the adepts was making it far more difficult than it should be. It took most of the vast amount of magic that Reyv had in him to mask their strange magic with his own.

Fortunately that was the only hiccup in Reyv's plans and now they were safely in the corridor outside of Pent's study. Reyv knocked on the door instead of opening the door and barging in like he usually did. "Master Pent I've brought them like you asked."

There was an audible sigh and the sound of shuffling feet before Pent answered, "it's open Reyv."

Taking that as his cue, Reyv opened the door only to take a step back due to the glare Pent was giving him. Slightly behind Pent, and almost out of sight at that, was a purple haired girl in a light purple dress with a dark purple cloak. "Who's that?" Reyv asked, pointing at the girl.

Pent sighed as he gestured towards the girl. "Reyv this is Sophia. She was sent here because the dragon elders thought you'd stolen your dragonstone, transformed, and went on another rampage," Pent reprimanded. With the mention of rampage several of the adepts took a step away from Reyv. Pent sighed again. "What compelled you to use so much of your magic?"

"Well you see…" Reyv began nervously, "I was trying to mask their magic to not draw attention to them as I lead them here."

"That worked well," one of the adepts behind Reyv deadpanned. Reyv swore it was one of the red haired adepts and secretly swore vengeance against the both of them.

"Anyway," Pent interrupted, "there's not much harm done. Sophia will just have to listen in while," he gestured to the adepts, "they explain their reasons for coming here. Reyv and I will help you regardless of what the council decides," Pent reassured the adepts and ignored the look his apprentice gave him.

The adepts were surprised by how quickly they were forced into the spotlight and as such it took a bit for them to respond. Tyrell was the first to speak. "I'm Tyrell," he said with his usual enthusiasm before pointing at Matthew, "and that's Matthew. He's our leader but he doesn't talk that much."

"Ugh, please ignore him he's always like this," Karis groaned. "Anyway, my name's Karis and it's a pleasure to meet you. To save time," Karis began pointing at the remaining adepts and listing the name that corresponded with the adept, "that's Reif, Amiti, Sveta, Eoleo, and Himi."

"It's a pleasure," Pent said with a short bow. "My name is Pent Reglay and I am a Mage General of Etruria but you may call me Pent. I'm sure you've met my apprentice, Reyv who should have already introduced himself. So pray tell, how and why have you come to Elibe?"

Once again it took a bit for the adepts; however, this time they formed a small circle and began to debate amongst themselves over what they would and wouldn't tell the man called Pent. During the adept's debate Pent noticed Reyv whisper something to Sophia out of the corner of his eye and the usually shy girl actually giggled in response.

The adept's decided that it would probably be best to tell an abridged version of their journey for the time being. Karis and Matthew told the three Elibeans about the start of their journey, due to Tyrell refusing to listen to reason, up until they met Reif who told them about their journey before meeting Amiti. Amiti in turn told them about getting Insight and restarting the Alchemy Forge until them met Sveta who ended up explaining until them met Himi and Himi explained the rest.

After that Sveta explained to the three about what happened to Belinsk and about the letter they'd found on the Bernese commander. At that point Matthew took over and explained what their plan was and how they had arrived in Elibe. By the time they finished the sun had risen and the group of eleven realized they'd pulled an all-nighter.

"Interesting," Pent mused. "So you call yourselves adepts and you wield not only Psynergy but weapons as well? Perhaps you could give a demonstration of your Psynergy."

"I'll do it," Matthew volunteered. Matthew closed his eyes and concentrated on making vines grow and entangle the Mage General. To his surprise Pent stepped away from the vines and set them aflame.

"Impressive," Pent said, "although I take it that was rather basic Psynergy?"

"Of course," Matthew said. "You only asked for a demonstration."

"Of course…" Pent frowned. "Reyv is that the "magic" you tried to hide? What point would there be in hiding magic not much different than my own?"

To Pent's surprise Sophia answered. "Their magic feels… familiar. It feels like my magic."

"How do you mean? You practice elder magic do you not Sophia?" Pent asked.

"I think she means that it feels like dragon magic, Master," Reyv answered. "I tried to mask it with my own because otherwise it would have seemed like eight dragons had suddenly entered Arcadia. I felt that the elders would be more concerned about eight seemingly dragons entering Acadia instead of one rampaging fire dragon."

"Wait a minute," Karis interrupted. "Do you mean that you're actually a dragon?"

"I am curious as well," Sveta added. "Earlier you thought that I was a 'divine dragon'."

"Well," Reyv began, "we're not technically dragons; the actual term for us is Manakete ever since the air changed during the Scouring. Before then I would be able to say that everyone in Arcadia is a dragon and be correct; however, now we are Manaketes and need dragonstones to transform into our actual dragon forms."

"But why did you think that I was a divine dragon?" Sveta asked again. "And what was the 'Scouring'?"

"For the first question, your ears," Reyv said as though it was obvious although the adepts were clearly confused. "Let me explain, most Manaketes, or at least full-blooded ones, have longer ears than typical humans; probably due to our dragon blood. Combined with the seemingly dragon magic emitting from you, your silver hair, Matthew's golden hair, and the magic- I'm sorry, Psynergy, I could sense from you it seemed a logical conclusion."

"Oh," was all Sveta could respond with.

"As for the second question, I'd rather not tell any of you."

"Why is that?"

Reyv grimaced. Of course they didn't know about what had happened and naturally they'd be curious but he wasn't the right Manakete to ask about the Scouring or the years directly after. The fire dragon population was nearly wiped out during the Scouring, near the point of extinction on Elibe's side of the Gate, due to the fiery and hotheaded nature of fire dragons. Not to mention, both of his parents were killed simply for being dragons even after the war was over; effectively making him the last fire dragon on Elibe.

Pent seemed to realize Reyv's discomfort and quickly changed the topic. "Sophia, perhaps you should report to the council now. I'm sure the adepts are tired after their journey and from explaining all this to us. I'll make sure to take care of them." Sophia turned to leave but Pent stopped her. "Take Reyv with you, he's no help to me when he gets stuck in his pre-Scouring memories. Take your time on the way to the council."

Sophia turned and grabbed Reyv's cloak before giving it a small tug. "Huh, oh Sophia; what is it?" Reyv asked despite the distant look on his face.

"Pent said to take you with me," Sophia replied quietly.

"Oh, he did? Eh, whatever I guess I can tag along. Master seems to be better suited to answer their questions anyway."

"Of course," Sophia said as she walked out the door with Reyv following close behind.

Once they were gone Pent addressed the adepts, "I'd like for you to not mention the Scouring in Reyv's presence if possible."

"But what is the Scouring?" Himi asked.

"In short, the Scouring was a war between humans and dragons despite living together in peace for quite a long time. The humans instigated the war and eventually managed to drive the dragons away to a place beyond the Dragon's Gate with the help of the Eight Heroes," Pent explained, "although there were dragons that chose not to fight. They set up a settlement here, naming it Arcadia, and have lived here since. Originally there were other humans here as well but, with Arcadia hidden so well and dragons so long living, only dragons remain; aside from me and my wife of course."

"So how old are they actually?" Reif asked.

"I'm not sure about Reyv since he's three fourths fire dragon; however, I believe that Sophia is a little more than a century old. Besides, dragons count their centuries instead of their years for simplicities sake. Anyway," Pent yawned, "I'm sure you're all tired much like I am. There's not much for beds here so a few of you will have to sleep on the ground. I'll look into what Bern's been doing recently to see if I can find out how and why they invaded when they were looking for someone who's on Elibe."

Pent led the adepts to the room next to his own where there were five beds and quickly left the room muttering something about a man named "Mark". Matthew gave up his bed to Sveta under the claim he liked sleeping on the ground just as much as a bed, Eoleo gave his bed up for Himi and Karis and Tyrell got into an argument about who would get the other bed. It seemed to be going in Tyrell's favor until Karis cast Plasma on Tyrell and took the bed before he could recover. Tyrell swore vengeance come whenever they woke up since it was probably around seven in the morning.

A/N: Well this chapter was kind of an info dump chapter but it had to be done. Hector and Eliwood barely got the spotlight this time around but it was to eliminate a plot hole that would probably leave people asking: "Wait how did Florina suddenly leave Ostia," or something like that. I apologize the for the delay but I had RL matters that needed to be attended to. As such it may be another month before there's another chapter because in two weeks (sixteen days actually) I'll be going to Japan for two weeks and be unable to type anything. Hopefully I'll be able to complete chapter four by then (spoilers: main focus is on Mark and Lyn with some of the adepts). Also thoughts/opinions on Reyv? I figured we needed a legit, transforming, dragon in the story because: one, there was none in FE7 and two, Fae/Fa is still stuck in Arcadia.