"Ephraim-Ephraim!" Eirika watched as her brother turned his vacant gaze on her, and he blinked suddenly. Once again she was pulling him back from the thoughts that always held him deep within himself. It was always worse on rainy days or late at night. Eirika smiled slightly, and lifted the crown from her head. "I'm not sure we made the right decision."

Ephraim smiled, and looked out across the castle grounds. His hair stirred in the gentle night breeze. "I think we have. Once I was fit to rule, but now..." He trailed off, and shrugged helplessly. "You've seem me lose track of my thoughts in the middle of a meeting. You've seen me lose my thoughts in the middle of a speech. I can't go on like this, Eirika. Everyone knows I am no longer fit to rule."

"I don't know." Eirika sighed, and placed the crown on the turret in front of her. "You know, I had resigned myself to a marriage of state with someone I would hate, but now, as full Queen, I won't have to do that. Now my duty is to the people, and I must marry someone-anyone."

She looked at her brother, and any hint of amusement melted from her face. "Ephraim, I'm really not sure this is the right thing. You could still rule. No one doubts the soundness of your mind. Everyone knows what happened, and they respect you for overcoming it."

Ephraim smiled bitterly. "They know my mind was almost taken over by the legendary Demon King, and that part of me is forever tainted by him." He gripped his arm, and grimaced. "My arm hurts everyday. It sometimes makes me want to cut it off. I can't stand to be around anyone using dark magic, and we need a few of those in court. I-"

Eirika touched her brother's shoulder gently, and smiled softly. "I know. You don't have to tell me how you feel about that. I know."

Ephraim nodded, and smiled. "Yes, you do." He looked back over the grounds. "I intend to help patrol Grado with General Kyle and Colonel Forde."

Eirika smiled, and nodded. She watched as Ephraim's right eye grew distant, and his lips pursed. Once again she had lost him to the now mysterious realm of his thoughts. If she said anything right now he would not hear her. Ever since his rescue he had been off. First he had been obsessed over killing Lyon. It hadn't shown much, but she was privy to his deepest thoughts, and he had told her many times he would be the one to kill Lyon.

Now, years after Lyon's death, he was vague. His mind had suffered, and he still harbored something inside himself that had not been there before. No Priest could say what it was, but it was something with a wicked taint on it. It resided in his scarred arm. That arm had never been as strong as the other after his capture.

Eirika managed a small smile, and looked out across the sleeping country. Her country lay before her. Ephraim stood still beside her, and only heaven knew what he was thinking.

Who am I?

I am Ephraim of Renias. I am me. No one else.

My other half is Eirika, my sister and twin. My ruler and leader. My better half. My sanity.

My friend is Lyon. Poor, struggling Lyon who died in blood he hoped to prevent. My friend. My fellow inflicted. My kindred spirit,

My home is Renais cleansed in blood.

I am Ephraim of Renais, but who are you?

A/N: All done. If any of the end confuses you then ask, and I shall explain it. This is the end of Blood's Strain. I'm rather irrate it took me so long to write all this. The full story is eighty-one pages all strung together. Thank you for reading, and oh so much love to all the reviewers!