She can still hear Chrom screaming, see him reaching out for her before the darkness swallowed her whole.

"We could've been so much better together, my dear vessel." The fell dragon hisses, circling Robin. "Why could you give up godhood for these insects? Crush them, and we can rule the world."

There's a long, pregnant pause as Robin takes this in.

Then she smiles at Grima, who grins almost maniacally in return.

"God?" She repeats, testing the title on her tongue. Her smile disappears the next second. "What's a god to a nonbeliever?"

Grima's face contorts into disbelieving fury. "What?"

"I will not give up the bonds I've forged with my brothers- and sisters-in-arms just to lose my will to chaos and destruction." Robin replies fiercely. "I will not heed your offers of godhood. I've seen what the future becomes, and I will not let that happen!"

"FOOL!" Grima snarls, the doppelganger's face flickering into a more sinister and reptilian one. "You think you're above chaos and destruction? Then let's count your sins: innocents have died at your hands, in the name of peace! You've cheated your way to victory at the expense of countless lives. You've manipulated those ants into thinking you're one of them when you're meant for a greater purpose."

The fell dragon's face now blurs into obscurity, as they menacingly circle around the tactician growling, "Not only that, you've even lied to your companions on several occasions. Did you really think that I wouldn't know about your little affair with Naga's little princeling?"

Robin stiffens and clenches her fists, her bravado all but fading away. Grima smiles triumphantly.

"I have seen your mind. You think yourself above them because you know you are destined for more than being Ylisse's mere trophy. The thought of godhood still tempts you now. Even you, my own vessel, aren't above base human desires."

Grima leans in towards Robin with a visible scowl. "So don't spit empty words at me when you have blood staining your hands."

The tactician grimaces and hangs her head as silence settles over the two. Then the Fell God turns away from Robin assured in their victory―

"That is exactly why I will not side with you." Robin finally says.

Grima whirls back to their vessel with a dangerous light in their eyes, smile gone.

She continues undeterred, "I know my own sins very well. I have lied, cheated, and murdered. I've done wrong to Ylisse, to my countrymen, to my comrades… I've even considered ditching them all to become a god for the hardships I've been through."

Robin slowly looks up at Grima with a new look on her face; her eyes are dark and fiery. "I'll pay for my own damned vices, but not like this. I won't let you trample all over me and my teammates like this."

Grima bristles. "How dare you―!"

Come back to us, Robin!

The tactician wavers. Lissa?

I know it would take more than this to stop you!

Frederick?

Suddenly, familiar voices bombard Robin with encouragements both desperate and heartfelt. All of the Shepherds calling her out of the void. Her friends―no, her family are still reaching out to her. They've been by her side through thick and thin, though bad and good, through her worst and her best. Of course they'd try their damnedest to bring her back, because they care about her as much as she cares about them.

Lastly, she hears Chrom's voice slicing through the dark.

Fight back! You swore to do so, remember? Now keep your damn word!

Chrom.

A tear slides down Robin's cheek as the look in her eyes change. They're are determined this time and that unnerves the fell dragon.

"I won't leave them like you did." She whispers, stepping back. "I'll put an end to this."

"No, NO!" Grima screeches, clutching at Robin in impotent rage. "You are all worms beneath me! You are nothing but fleas, roaches, vermin on my back! I AM THE FELL DRAGON OF YORE, AND I WILL END YOU ALL!"

"TO HELL WITH YOU! I WILL FIGHT!" She screams back, shaking off the fell dragon's grip.

Light cracks through the dark, and shatters the void.

Hello! Thanks for reading this little ficlet! I'm sure I'll add more chapters when I feel like it. In the meantime, please review! It nourishes my soul.