Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem… If I did, I would have included my characters in the game.

-o0o-

Author's notes:

Finally, the epilogue. It has been an honor. Thank you for your unwavering support! I also bid you to please read my proposition of The Beginning of the End "sister story" and let me know what you think!

Enjoy!

-o0o-

Story's notes:

"Talking"

"Thinking"

"SHOUTING"

'Emphasis'

Spells

-o0o-

"He got out of bed slowly so as not to wake the ghost that slept next to him, stalking the rhythm of a breathing that sometimes he imagined was real."

-Arturo Pérez-Reverte (of Corso, "El Club Dumas", 1933 pp.65-66)-

"The Beginning of the End"

By: FenixPhoenix (Giselle González)

Epilogue: "Second Chance"

She opened her eyes slowly only to find herself surrounded by blackness. She blinked twice trying to dissipate the colorless atmosphere which she thought was due to her lack of vision, yet still it remained.

She noticed her breathing was louder than she had ever heard it before. After a couple of minutes she decided to stand up and was confused but relieved when she felt no pain; as though the wounds she remembered had been made in a nightmare.

"Hello," she called hearing her voice travel far in echoes until it disappeared almost like ripples in a pond.

No one answered.

She tried again yet the result was unaltered.

Kaida shrugged as she walked about trying to find something…anything… and as the hours tickled her nervousness push her into a scared run.

"Where is everyone?"

She turned her face from one side to the other, yet still there was nothing. No sound but that of her breathing. Not even her feet connecting with the solid ground emitted a sound.

"Where am I?"

And she stopped.

She was panting hardly as she wondered, still more scared, why she could not feel her heart beating inside her chest.

"Am I dead?"

But just then, before the idea could settle upon her mind she heard something…

It was a wail… horrible and strong that ripped through the soundless atmosphere that surrounded her. As the hawkish wail stopped, tongues of golden flame made of pure light began to paint a beautiful landscape around her.

When it was finished, Kaida found herself standing in the middle of a slim, wooden bridge suspended by ropes high in the air atop a river that ran almost eight feet below and in between two mountains.

As in accordance to her new reality, a gust of wind whipped her and to her distress she felt the structure rocking to and fro below her. Fighting the urge to close her eyes, she took hold of the ropes on either side and tightened her hands into fists.

"Great! Just Great!" she muttered angrily as she waited for the bridge's movement to cease.

Suddenly, a calm voice coming from behind her broke the chain of curses that were rolling off her tongue.

"Hello there."

Kaida spun with caution; a frown upon her brow as she faced none other than Merlinus himself. The merchant was standing calm and unafraid in the middle of the bridge apparently ignorant of his precarious situation.

"Merlinus?" she called uncertain.

And just as he opened his mouth to reply another familiar voice interrupted him; coming from Kaida's other side.

"Hello, Kaida."

Kaida turned to the genesis of the voice only to find… Freya!

"Freya," Kaida muttered. Then sensing a scowl on the woman she turned towards Merlinus only to find… a mirroring grimace on his face.

"Eeer… something wrong?" Kaida asked them feeling as though she had suddenly interrupted a battle of wills.

"Not at all," Freya said smiling at Kaida, "It has just been a while since I saw my stupid husband."

"And it is always a pleasure to see you too, dear," Merlinus replied.

Kaida's face simply took a puzzled expression as she turned from one to the other. Both who stood upon the bridge without paying the mildest of attention to what lay below them.

Kaida sighed and turning to Freya asked, "Alright… what's going on here? Who are you?"

Freya smiled, "Aw! I thought you would never ask!" and she cleared her throat before starting with an important voice, "I have been known to you and Rath as Freya, but before that name I used to be called Saint Elimine (1)… and before that… well I have always been known as Mother Earth."

Kaida gaped and tuning to Merlinus she said, "So that makes you what?… Father Sky?"

Merlinus nodded with a smile, "Indeed, I am!"

If she had not been busy holding on to the ropes, Kaida would have slapped herself because surely…surely… she was dreaming, right?

-o0o-

When the group arrived at Elibe, it was decided that they would all stay in Pherae as guests, for Eliwood's wedding with Ninian would take place a week after arrival and it was simply stupid for everyone to head back home for a couple of days before having to return.

Thus it was that, having no other choice, Raven was forced to attend Eliwood's ceremony.

As he waited for the day when Eliwood would mark his love by compromise, he went everywhere with Lucius, for the Monk wished to start buying thing for his orphanage.

And it was not that Raven wished to be accompanied at all times what made him spent time with Lucius, his sister, Heath, Jaffar and Nino. Truth be told, he wanted to be by himself but knew that to do so would cause his friends- no, not his friends but his family to worry.

Raven stayed with them more for 'their' sake than his. It seemed to him that every time he felt their eyes on him he saw a profound sadness that brushed with pity. And he hated that… he never told them and he never would, but he hated that looked that reminded him that he was wounded beyond repair.

He felt…well, he felt crippled under their eyes.

So it was that when he managed to find the opportunity to wander by himself just after Eliwood's ceremony had concluded and the celebration (which spread like wildfire around the city) began, Raven decided to hit a low profile bar.

It was a dirty pub with few people too worried about themselves to spare pity on someone unknown to them. So, needless to say, when Raven stepped inside he felt right at home.

As he asked for his first glass of ail, he listened to a man who was drowning in self-pity for having lost the woman of his life.

Raven listened to him for a while before another man began to mumble about his worries. And on and on time tickled by...

Thus, when the mercenary asked for his ninth glass he realized upon hearing the stories of the men around him why he felt much more comfortable among them than among the members of the army of Elibe.

Like him, all these men had lost someone or something precious whether by death or stupidity and therefore no one had pity to spare.

So it was only natural that being around people who were as unhappy as him made him feel less alone; though it did not diminished the pain that made itself present with each beating of his heart. Unfortunately, he knew he needed to start getting used to that always present pain.

But do not get him wrong. Contrary to most of the men drowning in alcohol, Raven did not wish to get drunk to forget his past, to make mistakes or to diminish the pain that ached both physically and mentally.

No. Raven wanted to get drunk simply to remember more vividly his experiences with Kaida. He searched in the power of alcohol the details of a time that had already past, perhaps too soon for him to readily accept.

He knew that with each bottle he would find a few hours of pleasure when he retreated into his memories, just as he knew that when the effect diminished and his senses returned to normal his pain would increase by the deceit of his mind. Yet, he accepted the fact with open arms.

Suddenly, the man beside him stood up on his stool and, trying to maintain his balance, he raised his glass upwards and yelled for the entire bar to hear.

"For the new sovereigns of Pherae! May their love conquer all!"

Everymen followed suit with a cheer… that is, every men except Raven who, too lost inside his own memories, had not heard a word spoken.

A much more drunken man moved towards Raven like a bull. Placing a hand upon the mercenary's shoulder he asked why Raven had not joined in the cheer. Yet Raven simply shrugged the hand that had touched his shoulder off without interest; a scowl upon his face indicating that he should be left alone.

The bullish man thought the action too disrespectful to simply walk away and therefore he simply…

Bang!

Raven felt the fist connecting with his cheek and snapping him to awareness. He did not need more provocation and happy with the excuse to take out his anger on someone, the mercenary retaliated immediately.

Before long, the whole place was a mess as chairs, glasses, bottles and yes, even bodies flew back and forth. Pherae's guards were quick to arrive at the scene and, with intense effort, managed to quell the raging men and marched them up towards the dungeons where, without ceremony, they were locked inside different cells.

When Rebecca, now leader of Pherae's guards, heard about Raven being among the fighters of the bar, she quickly let both Lucius and Marcus, her superior, know about it. So it was that, not long after, he was released and given to Lucius for supervision with only a mild warning.

Lucius thanked them both and, with Jaffar's help, they got Raven into his room without further problems.

The next day, the small group departed towards Ostia for, eager to get married, Hector's wedding with Florina, despite Farina's untimely death, would take place in a span of two weeks.

-o0o-

"So, does this mean I am dead?" Kaida asked switching her attention from one figure to the next.

"Mmm…How to answer that," Merlinus said as he scratched his chin deep in thought.

"Ah, men!" Freya snapped shaking her head in mock disapproval, "Let's just say you are neither death nor alive, but in between (2)."

"Okay… and why am I in the middle of a bridge?" she cast a look downwards and quickly regretted it, "Can we not talk somewhere else?"

Merlinus laughed gently, "But dear, this bridge symbolizes the state of your life at the moment. It is only fragile ropes what keep you in balance between life and death."

"And before you can move on," Freya added, "You need to choose a destination."

"Destination?" Kaida echoed.

"Precisely," Merlinus agreed.

"But where? What are my options?" she asked.

Merlinus smiled and pointed at a group moving in the distance; getting closer to the edge of the bridge behind him. As Kaida squinted to take a better look, her eyes widened and if she had had a heart it would have beaten faster with emotion.

For standing just a few feet away were her parents! They were hugging each other and showing their teeth with a broad smile of happiness. Beside them, was Joshua perched on his beautiful wyvern, Hannibal.

The white witch Shizune was also there and beside her… yes, odd as it was, beside her were Farina and Sheneke laughing as the latter finished a joke.

"This is what awaits you in your other life," Merlinu said.

"My other life?"

"Yes, the life that starts with death. In here you will no longer feel pain or the ache of loneliness. Happiness is ensured as you would live with your parents once more," Merlinus explained with a smile.

"However," Freya interrupted, "You must remember that there is still the possibility of going back to your life and taking hold of a second chance. A second chance on being happy on your first life before you move on to your second."

Kaida bit her lip trying to decide and when she turned to look at her parents again, she saw them looking at her with concern. And just as she was about to wonder what their worry meant, she saw them shaking their heads as though telling her not to base her decision on them.

"I cannot guarantee you happiness if you go back… but it doesn't matter, Kaida. What matters is… what does your heart tell you?" Freya was right besides her, whispering those words in her ear.

And just like that, her mind was bombarded by images of Raven. And, in accordance to her change, she soon felt her heart beating again inside her chest!

"My heart tells me that I shall see my parents once more…but not yet," she said turning to Freya, "I want a second chance."

"And you shall have it," Freya said as she hugged her, "Just remember that nothing comes without a price and the pain you'll feel would be beyond belief."

Kaida's eyes widened when she felt Freya pushing her off the bridge. She was falling and falling so rapidly and, as she kept going down, pain suddenly began to make itself present.

When she woke up she did so screaming in a room filled with green-robed priests and Akamu. Her forehead was burning as her eyes blurred with tears by the intense pain.

"Hold on to life, Kaida!" she heard Akamu telling her and with all her might, she held on deliriously as the priests around her began to chant…

-o0o-

When the group had been given quarters in Ostia's palace, Lucius took his role as Raven's fatherly figure and did not let the mercenary wonder about by himself anymore.

Yet, when the ceremony began and Lucius was asked to help the priest conduct the wedding, the Monk had no other choice but to bestow his duties as Raven's guardian to Jaffar for the time being.

Jaffar took the role to heart and, when Raven walked into a pub after the wedding celebration had begun, the angel of death followed suit.

"A glass of ail," Raven ordered as he sat before the bar tender lost in thought.

"For you?" asked the bartender as Jaffar sat beside Raven.

Jaffar had never tasted alcohol but knew that it would be less conspicuous of him to ask for a glass of something instead of just sitting idly beside the man he had been asked to take care.

"Same as him," he said after a pause, scanning the bar and its shady occupants quickly. Raven sure knew how to pick them.

"Here you go," the barman said as he placed the drinks before them.

Raven emptied the contents in three quick gulps and asked for another one. Jaffar shrugged before mimicking him and after coughing when he felt his throat aching by the liquid he too, asked for another one.

After a half hour and five drinks, the alcohol in his system made Jaffar's mind whirl into Kaida's last moments of life. He remembered vividly the grimace of discomfort that had erased the triumph of her smile as she took in her situation. And worst, he remembered that terrible wail that he could still hear echoing inside the most hidden chambers of his mind and again wondered if it had come out of her.

Truth be told, Jaffar felt guilty. Every time he looked at Raven he did not felt pity but a sense of sadness born from not having been able to bring Kaida back to him.

If only he had controlled his energy. If only he had jumped after her…

"Raven," he mumbled wishing to apologize to the man he had, without wanting, caused so much heartache, "I-"

But to Jaffar's irritation a group of men suddenly began to sing about the happy days of Ostia but, perhaps because of the alcohol or perhaps because of his own sense of guilt, Jaffar could not take the sound of it and simply yelled.

"SILENCE!"

Raven, for some strange reason, began to laugh! Yes, he simply busted laughing at Jaffar's sudden outburst and the drunken men's puzzled expressions.

And no more provocation was needed. Before long, just like in Pherae, every men present had joined the brawl as things and people flew back and forth breaking every piece of furniture that had decorated the place.

When Lucius was called in to retrieve Raven and Jaffar from the dungeons by Oswin, Hector's second in command, the Monk found the pair sitting on the dirty floor with a bottle in each hand singing.

Yes, they were singing!

And the irony! They were singing the song that had started the fight to begin with!

"Unbelievable," Lucius whispered shaking his head.

The next day, the group departed towards Rath's tribe where, his wedding with Lyndis would take place.

-o0o-

Having heard already about Raven's bouts in both Ostia and Pherae, Rath explained to his countrymen the situation and ordered no one to bother the mercenary.

Perhaps because of that, or maybe because the Kutolohan warriors were less easily provoked, no fights broke after Lyn's and Rath's wedding.

Thus it was that the day after the celebration, as Lucius and his group got ready to leave, the Balur Hunters (who had postponed their weddings for a year because of Kaida's death) approached them with an offer.

"We heard you wanted to construct an orphanage," Mia said flat out.

Lucius nodded, "We do."

"We have a proposition then," Remi said looking from Lucius to Raven and back again.

"We want you to use Kaida's property for the Orphanage," Maya stated, "We believe she would have liked that…"

Raven gulped painfully at the sound of her name but said nothing as he waited for Lucius to make the decision.

"It is located just in the outskirts of Balur," Hina pointed out, "It is an extremely safe location. Perfect for children, you know?"

Lucius turned to Raven and saw approval just below the layer of sadness that glinted there. Lucius knew it was also Raven's desire to be near a place that would remind him of Kaida for, worst than losing her was also losing his memories of her.

"We would be honored," Lucius replied thanking the girls for their offer.

Hence it was that, the minute they arrived at the abandoned house that had once upon a time belonged to Kaida and her parents, they began constructing around it (not wishing to destroy it because of the sentimental value it held).

Before long, more rooms had been added to the house for the children to stay in. Also, stables had been constructed for horses and wyverns as well as a playing ground and a training ground.

A month after the construction was finished (and four months after they had returned from Arkenia) Pricilla, Heath and Lucius came back to the Orphanage (having left it for a while in search of lost and lonely kids) bringing with them twenty children who had lost their parents during the war.

The lonely house, thus, began to brim with children and with the sound of innocent laughter.

After everyone had settled, Raven decided he would return to his mercenary way of life in order to bring money to keep everyone well taken care of (since he was not too keen on becoming a farmer). Jaffar, Heath and even, sometimes, Pricilla joined him on his missions.

-o0o-

…Six months later…

Raven woke up feeling the horrible ache produced by his orgy of alcohol. Namely, he had a terrible hangover.

With a groan he walked outside his tent and quickly produced the same liquid Kaida had given him when he had crashed in her room drunk once upon a time. He sighed, feeling the headache retreating slowly.

"We should head home," Heath was beside him already drinking the glass Raven had offered him for the same reason.

Jaffar quickly joined them, pale and with a murderous aura around him. He hated the hangovers!

"We were paid handsomely," Jaffar stated pleased to feel his state was returning to normal.

"Indeed, we were," Heath agreed lively, "I am sure this will help to get all the kids new clothes for the new year!"

Raven said nothing as he finished up packing his things and placing them on Caesar's side. When he was done he turned to his companions and nodded.

"Let's go then before Lucius decides to chop our heads off for being late."

With that they began their journey back to the Orphanage in silence, each thinking about what they would do when they arrived.

Raven glanced at both his companions for a while. Jaffar was sitting behind Heath and they both wore a peculiar expression on their faces. Raven knew what those expressions held, even if he had lost his own a long time ago.

He smiled inwardly but could not shake off his own sadness. They had, after all, a loved one to return to. Raven, on the other hand, had to let go of his loved one whenever he stepped out of a bar.

The first thing the group noticed when they arrived, however, was the soundless atmosphere and the stillness of the place.

"What the-," Heath's eyes were wide as he scanned the place. It seemed deserted!

"Calm down," Raven ordered, but he too was suddenly nervous. They could not have been attacked! There was no sign of a struggle after all…

Jaffar was in the house in no time making the other two follow his lead. Once inside the house they found seven year old Dean. He was the smallest kid of the Orphanage and the one who looked up to Raven and Jaffar the most.

"Dean," Raven was keeling beside him checking him for any sign of injuries.

The boy, though, laughed and mischievousness glinted in his eyes as, taking Raven's hand, he pulled him in the direction of the wheat field.

"Where is everyone, Dean?" asked Raven as he followed the little guy who kept on giggling.

"Papa Lucius told me to wait for you and then to bring you to the visitors," he said and suddenly he frowned, "I think Papa Lucius is sad."

Heath's brow furrowed, "Why do you say that?"

Dean turned to him and shrugged, "Because he was crying."

Raven bit his lip now worried about who the visitors could be and as he came into view he saw Lucius, the Balur girls and their couples, Nino and Pricilla looking at two figures who were standing in the middle of the field surrounded by running and squeaking children.

As he inspected the newcomers with scrutiny, Raven felt his heart beating faster and his eyes aching. He felt Lucius taking Dean and pulling him, gently, away from Raven; who now looked like he was on a trance.

Surely… surely he was dreaming… But if that was so, he wished never to wake up…

He walked towards her just as the man who had been talking to her spun around and began to walk away.

That man was Akamu, dismissed by fate after he had played his part… after he had redeemed the role he had played in Kratos' tragic life.

She noticed just after Akamu began to walk away that someone was approaching her, slowly and almost hesitantly. When she turned her attention she noticed him.

And he looked so scared and so vulnerable as his eyes drank her and every detail of her body. She smiled, as her long hair was whipped by a gust of wind. She did not wore her regular outfit, but black pants, brown knee-high boots and a red blouse below a black jerking.

She wanted to run towards him but instead she walked to meet him, the smile still on her face threatening to break at any moment.

When she was only two paces away from him, he fell to his knees unable to take the probability that this could not be real. And then, she was there! She was standing just in front of him; inches apart.

He hugged her by the waist and buried his face in her stomach. She felt real… like the day she had walked into his room that late night!

"Oh, please! For Saint Elimine's sake! Let this be real!"

He felt her hands gently combing his hair and felt drops of tears crashing against his neck. He let her go then and, standing up, he knew with sudden certainty, that she was real!

"I came back to you," she said in a breaking tone as she placed each hand on the sides of his face and searched in the depth of his eyes for forgiveness.

Was she too late?

Raven hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear, "You sure took your time…Kai…"

And then, upon proving that she was real, for this time at the mention of her name she did not disappeared like so many times before, he scooped her off her feet and whistled loudly for Caesar.

The wyvern wailed as it landed beside the couple. He placed her on the seat and then mounted behind her; placing his arms protectively around her.

"Wait!"

He heard someone saying and knew it was selfish of him to take her away. He knew that, like him, they all wanted to know what had happened. Yet, truth was that he had suffered her loss much more than anyone else.

Yes, it would be selfish of him…

"Let's go, Caesar," he said smiling.

Well, he had never really cared what others thought of him and he was not going to start now. Selfish or not, he deserved her for himself for a long while.

Kaida laughed as Caesar jumped into the air, faces of disbelief decorating each of the present that were being left behind.

Raven kissed her gently, taking in every detail of her face and hoping that she would never scared him again like she had done. Knowing that to lose her again would be too painful to bear.

"So," she said as she leaned against his chest, happy to know he had not ran away with Christine or another girl, "Where are we going now?"

Raven smiled kissing the top of her head and feeling as though a new day—No, a new life was beginning.

So with that optimistic view he simply replied, "Anywhere you want… the world is ours."

-o0o-

…Thirteen years later…(3)

The King of Bern died in an attempt to assassinate his son, Prince Zephiel. The story was as mysterious as the King's death; for it was said that it was Zephiel who had died during the attempt.

Yet, odd enough, three days later Zephiel was up and about and it was only then that the story was changed; the new victim becoming the old but healthy King. His untimely death mixed with the confusion of the "official" story, sent rumors spreading about in all directions.

But somewhere inside Bern's Castle, a much more interesting thing was happening…

Zephiel was sitting idly on his throne. Beside him a single candle provided light to replace the sinking sun. The new king tilted his head with interest when a crimson dressed man suddenly appeared before him.

The voice that spoke from below the hood had an enigmatic tingle that made Zephiel's interest double.

"For what reason have you awakened a demon dragon?" he asked with a stoic tone.

Zephiel felt something inside him shaking with excitement but on the surface he simply frowned and asked, "Who are you?"

The crimson caped man answered, "…Dragon."

Zephiel smiled at the perceptiveness of the man. But his smile was not far from amused and brushed more with an evil side he had found and had concealed… until now…

And somewhere in the depth of darkness inside Zephiel's soul and innermost thoughts, Keres laughed as the Dragon he once had created… his first creation, was recalled to life; her seal broken.

In that state which Zephiel thought as his evil alter-ego, Keres lived waiting to see his revenge embodied by someone else… Idoun, the Demon Dragon…

...:..

Story Written by: Giselle González

© Fire Emblem is Property of Intelligent System and distributed by Nintendo.

-o0o-

Notes:

(1) Saint Elmine: One of the eight heroes who fought the dragons during the period known as the Scouring. She was also the one who founded Eturia and the main religion of the world.

(2) Think about limbo.

(3) This scene is actually part of the epilogue of Rekka no Ken. However, in the game it says 15 years later. Here, because of the whole fight with Keres, I had to subtract two years (which is what the campaign took).

-o0o-

MAYBE

:…:Sister Story coming soon:...:

+-+ Those Who Stayed+-+

I am still unsure about this but due to a request I will maybe write a short story based upon what happened to those who stayed in Elibe as The Beginning of the End took place. It will probably be a series of one-shots telling the story of what happened to each character. What do you guys think?

-o0o-

:…:Other Fire Emblem Stories:...:

+-+ Revelations+-+

She was a woman who needed help to find what she was looking for and he was simply a man who needed something to look for... Erk x Pricilla. "Fire Emblem7: Rekka no Ken". OneShot.

+-+Yours to Command+-+

"…I changed… I learned…I saw and what I saw… I liked." Volke is given the mission to protect Lucia from the shadows, but what a pleasant surprise when his mission becomes something more. :: Volke x Lucia :: Path of Radiance. One-Shot.

+-+Change of Feathers+-+

Naesala x Leanne. Redemption can be sought throughout all your life but what a surprise when it comes knocking at your door. Fire Emblem 10: Radiant Dawn. One shot.

+-+Comforting Shelter+-+

When a storm breaks out and Haar does not return, Jill sets out to look for him almost freezing in the process. After Haar founds out that he is the reason for her current state, he decides to set her right again. ::Haar x Jill:: Path of Radiance/Goddess of Dawn. One-shot.