WARNING: MAJOR SPOILER FOR FIRE EMBLEM: KAKUSEI AHEAD...

CHAPTER ONE

Just one last look…

The ground is cold. I heave in a breath of stale air and puff it out in a cloud of frost. A branch brushes against my cheek, startling me, sending chills down my spine as I struggle to keep my balance.

I flick some water that had fallen from the leaves above me off of my blade, and polish it with the palm of my gloved hand.

The Falchion needs to be taken care of properly.

If one speck of blood or dirt stains that blade, who knows how much bad luck could befall the future generations? I need to take extra precaution.

I brace myself in my current position, poised and ready.

In the treetops I sit watching. I don't usually like being this high, but before I leave for Feria, I want to get one thing done.

Below is the little camp that the party accompanying Prince Krom of Iris had set up only moments ago. A heavyset man in uncomfortable-looking armour is towing firewood to and fro, and when he turns to ask the redheaded woman a question, she completely ignores him.

I feel sorry for him. I know him, as well, but can't quite place his name. I've known him once, though, I'm sure of that.

A few others are scattered about; one I know very well in particular. I clench my teeth as another wave of cold air shoots past me.

Two figures emerge from the woods. My heart skips a beat as I catch a glimpse of the blue-haired male leading the ashen-haired young woman to the camp enthusiastically. They're engaged in an interesting conversation, by the looks of it. They look so happy, side by side.

I swallow and clear my throat a little, adjusting the mask so it doesn't sit so awkwardly on my nose.

I realise I haven't breathed in quite a while, and gasp for air as quietly as I can.

There they are.

I run my fingers through my hair, bound at the ends to make it look as short as possible.

I'm a boy.

The thought is funny.

A boy. A son, not a daughter. Marth, not Lucina.

I sigh.

The two down below look so entranced with each other that it's hard to believe they only just met.

Part of me wants to join them; sit in between them and just…talk. Talk about everything, anything, nothing.

And then there is the rational side of me, who wants to push on for Feria to speak with Uncle Basilio and Aunt Flavia.

But the memories, fading as they were, urged me to stay here and watch them. It's the only thing I can do, for now.

My lord father looks as I remember him, not that I remember him very well. He is strong, impressive-looking, a real warrior. The original Falchion swaying at his belt seems as untarnished as the one with me now.

Even though I cannot see their faces very well, I know my dear mother looks younger than I remember her being. Even so, she's still very pretty. It's no wonder she earned the love of such a great hero.

I want to hug them both, but that would be quite inappropriate…wouldn't it?

The happy looks on their faces never waver.

I know I have to go now, but…

No, it's only right—I'm doing this for them, after all…For them, for the world, for myself and my friends back home…

Home. I want to make sure I return to a better home. One where those two down there, their faces a little older, can greet me with those smiling faces.

I brace myself as I slowly stand, and turn.

One last look.

Just one last look at them, I grip the hilt of the Falchion.

I want to tell them so many things. But now's not the time.

I turn towards the long journey ahead of me, away from the scene I long to be part of.


Feria

One last strike, and I know I can take him down.

I brandish the Falchion in front of my body, dodging slightly to the left as his solid form lunges towards me. He slashes in my direction, and I only feebly avoid the attack.

I'm not as strong as him…But I want to be.

I want to be as strong, if not stronger. I want to be able to—Gah. He almost hits me.

I face him now, our identical blades engaged in a strong clash.

He is my father; he is Krom of the Holy Kingdom of Iris. And I've yet to best him.

The thought is only narrowly comforting.

If my father, this great hero, was defeated in battle at his strength, what could I possibly do?

But I can't have doubt.

His eyes widen at the sight of the familiar sword.

The Falchion.

Once wielded by the legendary hero Marth himself, who at this current moment I am intending (and might I add, succeeding) to disguise myself as, the Falchion's sheer history and power is unmatched.

I received this particular blade from my father, the man I fight now, making it the same as that one he wields today.

Still, the concept of the future perplexes me slightly.

"It can't be…" he utters under his breath.

I sheath the Falchion and step back.

No winner. Just as I wanted, I suppose. I didn't want to defeat my own father, after all.

For now I'll keep my mouth clamped shut.

Only talk when you must, Lucina, or else you'll butcher the whole operation.

Think like Mother would. Like the genius tactician.

I grit my teeth.


So basically this is my favourite game of all time, simply because of the MASSIVE FEELS OVERLOAD.

FeMU x Krom is the CUTEST PAIRING EVER and it creates Cute!Lucina and Adorable!Mark, so....

I particularly love the interactions between all four (in particular one later on in the game between FeMU and Lucina as her daughter). It's great. If you haven't played this, you totally should (unless you don't understand Japanese, which I realise a lot of people don't...) I'm so looking forward to its European release. Oh, yeah, the fic. Enjoy.