~Two years later

I dash into Mama and Papa's room and find my way over to Mama's shelf next to her closet on the back wall. I cannot hide the large smile spread on my face as I have been excited all morning to finally be allowed to read a magic tome.

Yesterday, Mama said for my reward for doing so well in my recent training challenges, that I may begin reading her dark magic tomes she keeps in her room. I have been waiting for this for a long time. She said that I am finally old enough, at seven years, to begin learning some spells on my own.

And I know exactly which tome I am going to read today. I approach the shelf and climb onto her stool so I can reach them. I slide my finger over the names of the tomes one by one: Flux, Ruin, Waste, Apocalypse, Mire, Goetia, Nosferatu.

There it is. Nosferatu.

I grab the tome and pull it out from between the other tomes. Dust flies everywhere in puffs around the books as they settle into their new positions. I leap down from the stool and dash back through the hallways towards the main room. I pass by Titania on the way and she chuckles at me as I pass. I dart past the back doorway towards the practice field and I hear faint clunking of wooden weapons for a moment.

When I enter the main room, I slow down and find Lance playing with Papa in the floor in the center of the room. I look to the kitchenette and Mama is washing dishes at the sink. I sit down in the lone chair near where they are playing and open the tome. I slide my fingers down the page as the smile on my lips stays strong.

Level 2: Rank D - Dark Magic Tome. Nosferatu.

This spell is defined as powerful dark magic that drains the target of their life energy and gives it to the caster.

As I read, I hear faint sounds of Lance running around the room softly giggling while sometimes yells loudly for a moment when Papa catches him.

How to cast: The user must cast this spell by focusing any negative emotion's energy onto the target through the casting arm, betrayal works wonderfully. First you should focus this energy to the arm and gather it there. Wait for the target to strike and unleash the energy by surrounding the target with your dark film. Wait for the spell to surround them and...

"Merric,"

Mama's gentle voice breaks my concentration on the words on the page but I do not look up at her. Instead, I continue vaguely reading over what I just read while answering her and then I flip to the next page, "Yah Mama?"

"Now can you tell me the answer to my previous question?" I flip the page back to the other one and decide how to put this spell into my own words, "Nosferatu is the spell that drains energy from the target while doing damage. Then gives that energy to the caster,"

"Good,"

I find and continue reading where I left off, glad to see Mama is proud that I am now able to answer her questions. Now I must keep reading so I will be prepared for her next one.

Wait for the spell to surround them and the target should respond to their life energy being drained, causing fatal injuries and other major damage. The energy is sent back to the caster by a dark energy orb that flies back and into the user's body. When this happens, the caster should now fill the life energy flowing in, replenishing energy to the caster. This energy is now immediately available for use.

I flip the page.

Spell uses: This spell has been used in training early dark magicians to learn how to control this type of powerful magic. Dark magic is much different than other types of magic and must be eased into the practice before learning more powerful spells as many of them are risky to the caster. This spell can also be used to mend the user back to health by sapping energy from their surroundings, usually other living beings.

I faintly hear Lance run past me towards where Mama is and soon after, Papa slowly crawls by, making playful sounds. Lance yells in response, then giggles afterwards. I continue to the next section on the page.

Spell specifics: This spell, like most dark magic, is more effective on any targets that are not dark magicians. Although this spell works on other dark magic, it is not as powerful. Be sure to understand the target before trying this spell. If the caster feels any type of illness during or after use of this spell, be sure to seek medical attention at once.

Lance yells loudly and I glance up to see him being captured by Papa over by Mama. Lance continues to giggle as Papa scoops him up from the floor. I smile and watch for a bit before looking back down at the tome in my lap.

A few moments later, frantic voices flow from outside and both Mama and Papa spin around to face the front doorway. Papa dashes towards the door and Mama quickly follows him, then they both peer outside.

"Lucina..." Mama whispers breathlessly. Lucina?

Sounds of armored knights, horses and frantic voices fill my ears as the words become clearer as they get nearer. I slowly approach the door near Mama and listen. The words sound panicked like there is something wrong right this minute. I cannot see outside but I can hear almost everything that is being said. I shove the tome in my cape and peer around Mama's leg, holding onto her.

A lady in long blue hair is swiftly approaching Papa Greil with several others in heavy armor holding tall steel lances. The lady in blue armor looks like she has just been fighting and sometimes her free hand that is not holding her sword rubs her side. Is she injured?

Papa steps outside and approaches Papa Greil while Mama steps outside one step. I stay close behind her.

"Greil, please! You must hurry! M—my father, King Walhart... Vladimir are all here! T—they can hit anywhere at any time!" Her voice sounds forced like she is holding back emotions or something. She sounds distraught. Sometimes I think I see a tear falling down her face.

"Daein t—troops are within Ylissean borders... they are e—everywhere! They attacked our castle out of nowhere and t—they almost..." She stops suddenly and does not finish her sentence. What was she going to say?

Papa Greil steps towards her, "We understand, Princess. Take us there at once,"

Princess? Oh, so that's her...

Papa faces all of us with his stern look in his eye. Lucina turns towards Mama with something in her eye, a stern but weak look like she is in her own battle right now, "F—father says he was updated from one of his generals who monitor one of the forts along Ylisse borders, who has claimed these forces have been sent in throughout the past couple of years since I came to you last. They have been causing trouble non-stop," She stops for a moment, "I faced one of King Walhart's top generals before arriving here... and..."

I don't understand what she is talking about...

Her voice trails off and she looks like she is swaying like she is about to tumble over. Her face morphs into what appears to be pain. She is injured...

I begin to tell Mama that I think she is injured when she rushes forwards towards her. Did she come for medical assistance? Or what? I can hardly understand what anything she has said means.

When Mama tries to touch her, she seems to try to refuse by blocking Mama with her hand. Others begin to notice what Mama is doing and many start to swiftly do things. Some approach them while others rush inside. I just stand out of the way, hoping someone tells me what to do. Papa takes Lance back from Mama and he rushes inside with him. Titania says something to Mama and follows Papa inside.

"The Princess, she is wounded!" One of the men in armor behind the lady say frantically. She pushes Mama away and covers her side back up before turning to face the armored men behind her, shaking her head.

"N—no, don't worry about me yet, just get them back to my father... please, h—hurry!" She pauses but I cannot see her face as she is now facing away from me, "That's an order..."

She turns away from Mama and takes a few steps forward, starting to run forwards while following the men, "Follow me,"

Mama spins around to face everyone and Papa Greil turns to face everyone too, "Get your weapons and prepare for battle. We leave immediately. Follow in with the Princess's troops. Go,"

Battle? What is happening?

"Yes sir," I hear Oscar call from somewhere nearby.

Papa turns to go back inside with Mama behind him. I pull on Mama's cape and she spins around to look at me, "Mama, let me come to,"

Her eyes fill with the look she gives when she worries about something, "Merric, I need you to stay here with Lance,"

I feel a wash of sadness wash over me with her words. But if they have to leave to do something, then maybe I should stay behind and watch Lance for them. If I don't stay then who will keep him safe?

"Okay, Mama. Be careful..." I look away from her and follow Papa into the doorway. Myst and Ralf follow in behind me. Papa swiftly checks on Lance before rushing back out through the doorway. I cross the room to where Lance sits and his eyes are beginning to fill with tears. Usually he does not look at me in this way.

Myst approaches us and sits down next to Lance, "They will be back soon, don't worry,"

But Lance ignores her words and continues staring at me like he is afraid. When I get near him he backs up away from me. I feel more sadness fill me as I watch him move away from me like he is afraid of me. What is wrong?

"It's just me, Lance, your brother,"

Lance shakes his head at me, "N—no, not Mah Mah..."

Not Mama?

I feel my heart sink into my chest as Lance's scared face morphs into something worse and he leaps up. He shakes his head again and yells loudly before running away from me, "Stah awah!"

Stay away?

"Lance! Wait!" Myst calls after him but it's too late. He has already made it out the door to the practice field. And just past that is a cliff... No!

If he gets that far, then he will fall and...

I feel panic fill me as I frantically rush out the door following Myst and Ralf. But when I get out there, he is nowhere to be seen.

He really hates me. I am too late. Have I already failed at a big brother?

My feet begin to run towards the dark forest as the sun is now setting. If I don't find him then I will hate myself forever.

Why did Lance run from Merric? :[