A wave of monsters have washed over the continent, and now the journey to find Ephraim has grown more perilous. Still, the party presses on despite the imminent threat. The town of Serafew now lies ahead, located on the border of Renais and Grado. The people of the two countries have long used the tow as a meeting place. It stands as a testimony to the friendship between the two nations that they have shared for many many years. Now, Serafew is teeming with troops of Grado! 

Serafew Town Square... 

Glen is briefing one of the captains of the Grado Army, Saar on the upcoming battle. 

Glen: Captain Saar of the Serafew Border Guard. How fare you? I bring orders from His Majesty. Rumor has it that Princess Eirika of Renais is making her way to Grado. You are to find her and to place her in custody immediately.

Saar: Understood, General Glen! 

Glen: One more thing... A traitor to the empire has fled Castle Grado. We've received reports she is hiding somewhere here in Serafew. I don't care if you have to tear this town apart. Find the turncoat.

Saar: Yes, sir, General Glen! If she resists, do we have permission to execute her?

Glen: ...Yes. Permission granted.

Saar: Understood! Grado's will be done. The Grado Empire will repay the debt of betrayal with blood!

Glen: ...His Majesty relies upon you, Captain. Be sure his trust is not misplaced. That is all.

Saar: Yes, sir!

Saar takes off with his platoon. 

Glen: Such loyalty to the crown. If only I could hold such conviction in the righteousness of our emperor. 

Back with your group... 

You all have entered the town. 

Ruby: So this is Serafew. 

Eirika: It's been so long since I last visited Serafew. My brother and I used to pass through here en route to Grado. I remember the harmony in which the people of both countries lived. No walls divided our borders. No soldiers stood guard in high towers. This border town... It was to me a symbol of the trust between Grado and Renais.

Seth: ...And now, it is firmly under the thumb of Grado's emperor.

(Y/N): It doesn't sem to be very heavily patrolled. They must feel it's not worth guarding with Castle Renais under their control. We have to move as fast as we can out of here. No need to cause any trouble or- 

???: Excuse me. 

A man approached you all. 

Ruby: Yes? 

???: Have you seen a young girl with indigo hair? 

(Y/N): No sorry, haven't sen anyone of that kind. 

???: I see ... thank you anyway. Sorry to intrude. 

He then leaves. 

Eirika: There was something very odd about that man, wouldn't you say?

Seth: He did seem unusual. He didn't strike me as a Grado spy, but...

Blake: Wait. 

Seth: What troubles you Blake? 

Blake: I hear Grado Soldiers coming. 

Grado Soldiers: Ther she is! Don't let her escape! 

Blake: In that direction! 

A young cleric was running as fast as she could from the soldiers! 

Soldier: Traitor Natasha! Surrender peacefully. Come quietly, and you may have the chance to explain yourself before His Majesty.

Natasha (Formerly a Cleric of the Grado Empire!) 

Natasha: Wait, please. You must listen to me!

Soldier: Take her.

Natasha: No, you must believe me! The emperor is not himself. You MUST be able to see that!

Soldier: Impugn the emperor at your peril! We've been ordered to execute you if you offer any resistance. But your words condemn you!

She then runs into you guys! 

(Y/N:) Are you okay? 

Natasha: Who are you? 

(Y/N): I'm (Y/N), and that's Princess Eirika from Renais. Why are these guys after you? 

Natasha: You're from Renais... Oh! I have something I must tell you. It's about Grado--

Yang: You can tell us later, right now it's time to kick ass! 

The soldiers charged forward as Natasha did healing to the party, and the whole while Yang confronted Saar! 

Yang: Alright, you're going down, asshole! 

Saar: Death is too good for you, Renais Scum! 

Yang: Says the corporate lackey! 

Saar attacked with his lance, but well- 

Yang: KAMEHAMEHAAAAA!!!

She sent him flying with the blast! 

Saar: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! GLORY TO HIS MAJESTY! 

Yang: What an idiot. 

Soon... 

Eirika: That was rough. 

Natasha: Yes, thank you so much. I don't know how to repay for- 

Seth: You're from Grado right? 

Natasha: Yes, my name is Natasha, I was a servant of the people at Grado's Imperial Temple. 

Ruby: So, do you think you could tell us why you decided to switch sides? 

Natasha: Of course. A few days past, my mentor was arrested without warning. They executed him. They said he was a traitor... But those were false accusations. The emperor had him killed—a holy man!--to keep him silent.

Blake: On what? 

Natasha: My mentor said with his final breath that the Emperor plans to destroy the Sacred Stones. 

(Y/N): HUH?! Why? 

Natasha: The Sacred Stones drove back the power of evil long ago. Even now, each of our nations is home to one of these legendary treasures. There's one in my homeland, Grado, and one in your Renais...

Eirika: Yes, the Sacred Stone of Renais is still housed in our royal temple.

Natasha: The emperor plans to destroy the five stones, one by one...

Seth: Why would he do such a thing? Legend says the Sacred Stones are even now all that keeps evil at bay!

Natasha: I cannot begin to guess his motives... You must know, our emperor was a gentle man. But one day, he changed. Utterly. Before my mentor died, he said the keepers of the Sacred Stones must be warned. I tried to slip across the border, but the soldiers spotted me...

Seth: If what you say is true, we cannot ignore the danger we face. Destroying the Sacred Stones, we can't let that happen! 

(Y/N): Agreed! These bastards have to be stopped!