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Chapter Seven

"Matthew's... Nightmare?" Nino asked quizzically, sitting down in her own chair. "I've... I think I've heard of it... But Matthew having a nightmare? Doesn't seem like such a big deal to me..."

Priam raised an eyebrow. "It's the story about a Thief... And a Cleric... Cleric puts Thief into sleep to force him to be her vassal... Anything ring a bell?"

Nino thought a bit more until a look of realization came across her face. "Oh...  Yes, I remember now." She giggled to herself as she continued. "Yes... The story about Matthew and Serra. I didn't really associate myself with them, but I've heard that the two were a bit of a... lovely couple. Although..." She stopped for a second, as if thinking. "It... quickly ended."

"How so?" Lina asked.

"Don't take my word on it, but I've heard that Serra got a bit too needy. She expected vassals from Lord Hector, but when he didn't give any... She turned to Matthew. When she got naught from Matthew as well, she cursed him. She had recently found a staff that put the foe into a deep sleep while being able to enter the victim's subconscious. He... He never woke up. Neither did Serra, for that matter. Renault, Priscilla, the others who could use staffs tried to wake the two up... But they never did."

"Do you know what happened during the dream?" Priam questioned. "Or... Is the version we heard was wrong?"

"I don't know what version you talk about, but I do know what happened in the dream." Nino shook her head. "Somehow, Erk found out what the two were dreaming about. He told us, and I believe only Florina was truly sorry." 

"Wait wait wait... Hold up," Lina stopped her, waving her hands to stop Nino. "You speak as if you actually know Matthew and Serra. And that can't be possible, since the tale took place over two thousand years ago." 

Nino's eyes widened in shock. "What? I... I don't understand. It only happened three years ago. It has turned into a popular story since then among Elibe and Pherae, but I guess it has reached other lands as well. But... Two thousand years ago? Surely you jest." 

"Do you know Eliwood?"Priam asked suddenly, looking at Nino with wonder. 

"Y-Yes, I do. He served with Lord Hector, and the two had rescued me and recruited me to their army." 

"I knew it!" Priam snapped his fingers in realization, and pointed in Nino's direction. "The Greil line speaks highly of the Eliwood family line. Eliwood himself built his reputation when he tried to save his father from the Sorcerer Nergal. His son, Roy, who had single-handedly stopped a full-out war, was a practically an idol to my ancestor Ike. I personally respect the pyro myself. And if you know Eliwood, that means that you're practically ancient!" 

Lina discreetly slapped Priam at the shoulder. "Priam," she hissed, "it's rude to call a girl old. Especially ancient." 

Nino shook her head in confusion. "I still don't understand. What do you mean, Roy stopped a war? He's only a baby! And I'm sure that, if I am to believe that Eliwood's son is all grown up, he would grow up to be a Lord, not a Mage!" 

"No no no, he is a Great Lord--" 

"A Great Lord?!" Nino cried, standing up in surprise. "What! Great Lords only exist in myth! I'm starting to think that the two of you are insane!" 

"Well, I know only two Great Lords, one of which I've personally met," Priam argued. "It's definitely not a myth, especially if he bested me in combat less than a year ago!"

"Bested you in combat? Are you sure you weren't dreaming? Or you're just a--" 

"Calm down, ladies. You're both pretty," Lina sighed, stepping between the two. "We're as confused as you about your little 'time jump', Nino. All we know is that, our land is full of snoozing people, and the only lead we have is our little bedtime story, Matthew's Nightmare. Right now, let's focus on finding more answers. Nino?"

Nino sat back down, and sighed. "Well, what I know about the dream is that Serra trapped Matthew in a dream-like world to force him to be her vassal. He was in a plain that was so foggy, not even Thief eyes could see through. The two talked for a bit, and both agreed that if Matthew can defeat her without dying, as it is the only other way of exiting the dream-world. 

"Taking slow steps helped Matthew achieve his goal, where he wandered aimlessly until he approached Serra on a throne. He easily took her down, and she was defeated the one time. A man then tried to..." Nino stopped as she struggled to continue. "One... Hit... Kay Oh? That's how Erk described it, but I'm not sure what it means."

"It means to kill with one hit," Lina muttered. 

"Excuse me?" 

"Nothing," Lina said, waving her hand dismissively. "Don't mind me. Continue." 

"Um, okay. Anyway," Nino took a deep breath, "he failed. Matthew did not die, and in shame, the man killed himself. Matthew was then transported to another world, much to Matthew's protest.

"There, he had somehow changed classes; instead of a Thief, he was a Wyvern Lord. The task this time was harder: find his own way of escaping the world while protecting Sanity, freeing and curing his Memories, and fighting during a moody rainstorm. Fortunately, he had the help of Wallace, a giant bird, and a few unknown Wyvern Lords. Once he frees his Memories, Sanity tells him that the way to get out of this world is to find a way to wake up were it real life. 

"Then, a group of Snipers and Nomads suddenly appeared. Serra had summoned them to hinder Matthew's progress, but he eventually reached his goal: a small lake. He jumped in, and was sent to yet another world. 

"He turned to a Assassin this time, and learned Serra's last challenge was to kill her. Unfortunately, she was far from unarmed this time: she had a special weapon that instantly killed her opponent and perfectly heal her as well. As a joke, she had made comrades of Matthew's from his memories that fought against Matthew. Fortunately, he was able to recruit them to aid his cause. 

"While fighting off troops, he successfully recruits Oswin, Erk, Hector, and Sain. Erk was actually surprised that the troops of Matthew's dream was working together as if they were led by a Tactician. They worked together to make their way to Serra, where they bested the odds and finally took down Serra. The five rejoiced until they learned that Serra, in fact, was not dead nor defeated."