Lucina had always felt like a stranger.

Or rather, she could never fully embrace the past as her new permanent home. After helping her father of the present and a certain tactician slay the dragon that had plunged her timeline into darkness and despair, she soon came to terms with the fact that the people from her time would still never see the light of day again. She felt as though she had left behind all who remained to suffer in her quest to alter the past, and save their future.

Her future.

Six months had past since peace had been restored, she had been trying to cope with the guilt, which weighed heavily in her chest. She smiled when she needed to, laughed with those around her, and even held back her own tears for those who had been mourning for their losses. Time spent with her father had become increasingly rare, as rebuilding after the destruction that had been left in Grima's wake was a colossal task in itself.

It certainly didn't help with the numbness and loneliness Lucina had felt since the father from her future had been murdered. Soon after she had arrived in the past with the rest of the future children, she'd spent 2 years in absolute solitude in hopes to not alter the timeline any more than it had been after Validar's demise. Yet after all that effort, with the help from Grima, Validar had been able to set the timeline back onto the path of darkness. And that turn of event had made Lucina realize that she can no longer stand by behind a mask and the shadows if Grima had to be stopped once and for all.

Even though Laurent, the eldest of the children and only one surpass Lucina in age, who had also spent a total of five years in constant isolation, quickly found sanction by his mother's side in their pursuit of scientific research and was quick to release the emptiness that came with the loneliness. The same could also be said with the rest of the adult-grown children, who have also been able to find some sort of meaningful purpose in their new home.

But what purpose did Lucina possibly have now? She was the next generation in the bloodline of the Exalt, who had been banished from her own timeline and is now meddling in another. Chrom had only recently become the new Exalt and still had many years of service to his people. Infant Lucina had already begun to start walking on her own two feet and is destined to lead her own people when the time comes. Now the only shred of familiarity that Lucina has is her parallel timeline companions, and Falchion, the Divine Blade and last mementos of her late deceased father.

And it was the very same blade that she carried with her back to the Divine Tree, her hand resting promptly on the pommel of her sword as she, Owain, Inigo and Severa stood before the hooded figure in front of them.

He had first introduced himself as Anankos, and had asked them to come here, promising to explain as much as he was able, according to his words. He spoke clearly yet vaguely of the dire epidemic that threatens his entire world. Though major details had been left, to which Anankos had explained he could only fill in once they'd made it to the other realm.

At first, undoubtedly, the group was skeptical. They knew very little about the white-robed figure in front of them who was asking them to travel between worlds- not that they technically haven't done it before, but were unsure about the circumstances and dangers they might face including how long they were going to be gone. But eventually, Lucina, Owain, Severa and Inigo all came to a unanimous conclusion: there were people suffering and are threatened with a similar fate that their world had ceded to. A greater force was at play that sought the destruction of mankind, just like Grima, the Fell Dragon, had desired. And to turn away now would mean potentially damning those at risk to their fates and allowing evil to prevail- an outcome that the heroes had decided was not an option to be left neglected.

After several prompts of Anankos asking if they were absolutely certain on the group's decision to travel with him back to his world, as well as several assurances that they were ready and committed, the blue-haired figure nodded.

"Very well," he said nodding, his hooded face glancing at each hero that stood before him. "Owain, Inigo, Severa, Lucina. Are you ready for this?"

Owain raised his hand in front of him and clenched it dramatically. "Yes! My fell hand and I are ready."

"Naturally," Inigo answered in a pacifist manner, brushing a strand of hair to the side.

Severa sighed impatiently. "Let's get this over with."

Anankos' gaze finally fell on Lucina, who waited expectantly for a reply. She opened her mouth to reply, but then suddenly found herself hesitating. It wasn't because she was starting to second guess going through with her decision to help. Instead, she began to think of how it was strange that after she was just barely starting to get accustomed to her new life in the past, and was now about to leave all of it behind again for Naga-knows how long. But she was quick to remind herself that baby Lucina, who she bid farewell before starting her journey back to the divine tree, was now free to live out her life without the bloodshed of war and the fear of what is to come every single day. She had finally fulfilled her purpose in this world, and now it was time for Lucina to find another in a land that exists beyond space and time.

So instead, she replied with only a single nod.

Anankos smiled admiringly. "Then let us begin." He puts a foot behind him and swept a cloaked arm into the air, his hand waving in front of the group before letting out a ferocious, inhuman roar.

Lucina's vision suddenly went white and covered her eyes as a burst of light emitted from the stranger. And when it finally passed, she opened them again expecting them to have been transported to the other world. But instead, she found herself still standing on the roots of the Divine Tree, the setting sun still glowing through the gaps of its massive branches and the native birds still chirping as they flew scarcely away from the source of the blinding light. Did the stranger's powers not work? Why were they still here? Was Anankos actually deceiving them this entire time?

Her questions were answered when Severa suddenly shrieked next to her, "Wh- agh! What did you do to my hair!?" Lucina wheeled on her heels to see Severa, who's hair was now the color of red rose, similar to her mothers. She watched as her friend inspected it in both shock and nostalgia.

Then she saw Owain, whose hair was also no longer its original color, was quick to remove the leather guard on his right forearm where the Mark of the Exalt was supposed to be. But once it was off, the Brand was gone as though it was never there. "Huh!? My Brand is gone!" He looked back at Anankos, wide-eyed.

Finally, Inigo let out a nervous chuckle as he too realized his own color was no longer what it used to be and said to Anakos, "You've got some powerful magic up your sleeves, Mr. Anankos."

"Yes," the mysterious man confirmed, "I thought it wise to alter your appearances before we depart to our destination."

Owain's eyes lit up in realization and turned on Lucina, staring intently into her eyes for a brief moment before proclaiming, "By the gods, even Lucina's Brand is no more!"

It suddenly dawned on Lucina that if her friends had been given physical alteration, it would make sense that she had received the same. A quick look at her own hair revealed that it was not the iconic blue color that had been passed from generation after generation. And in its stead, was a dark hue as black as the deepest hour of night. Upon seeing this made Lucina even more uneasy, for as far as she knew, there was never a generation of Exalts before her who did not retain the one passed down to her.

Anankos continued. "Any characteristics that could hint at your true lineage must be kept hidden. The least I can do is lessen the burden you shall endure for taking on this task."

Severa puffed her cheeks. "Aw, drat... I really liked the color of my hair."

"Don't worry, Severa." Inigo laughed, pulling his now silver hair aside and winking, "That new color is rather fetching on you!"

Owain sneered at the mercenary. "Heh. You're still as much a flirt as you ever were. I guess even Anankos doesn't have the power to change THAT." His gaze then fell on his cousin. "On the other hand, I don't believe anything else that's changed comes close to Lucina. The blackness... the sheer beautiful darkness that cultivates my inner demons in the form of a- OW!"

"Oh for Pete's sake, Owain!" Severa grimaced as she pulled on his ear. "I swear, the more you talk, the more you start to sound like a bigger creep than Inigo!"

"Wha- a...a creep?!" A hurt Inigo frowned. "My dear Severa, what have I done to..."

He was unable to finish as Anankos kindly interrupts them. "Now that I have altered your appearances, you'll need new clothes and powers. And while we are on that topic..." The cloaked man turns to Lucina, who found herself gripping Falchion even tighter closer to her as he finished. "I'm afraid you will not be able to bring that blade along with you."

The future child of Chrom parted her lips to protest, but the only thing to come out was, "my... Falchion?"

Owain was also quick to jump on the subject as he eyed the stranger suspiciously. "Yes, Anankos, what is it about the Divine Blade that renders you unable to transport it?"

"My thoughts exactly," Inigo included, "Falchion is indeed the weapon that proved to be the downfall of Grima, so I too would like to inquire the reason for your... inability to do so."

"Yeah, what they said." Severa said. "Seems awfully suspicious and whatnot, but there is a possibility you have good reason for it."

"Indeed, there is." Anankos answered calmly. "The enemy that you face is well aware of the outcome that this world had witnessed. They know of the Blade that has fallen a Dragon. And because it now carries the stains of the blood from the Dragon you have slain, they will sense it immediately upon entering their world, and will stop at nothing to take it from you- no matter the costs."

Hearing this response put the entire group- especially Lucina, at an uneasy feeling. How was she supposed to react? Angry? Scared? Ever since her future father had been left crippled after an assassination attempt, she was the only Exalt left in the bloodline that Falchion had deemed worthy to wield, and it never left her side since. Her early childhood and onward had been spent spent training and fighting, and had little or no time at all to even create emotional ties with others as they struggled to fend off the endless hoards of Risen. Countless blood had been spilled by her own hands with it, and never once did she ever think twice about it as she stopped to clean it off.

"And finally," Anankos said, pulling Lucina out of her thoughts, "the last step will be to create new names for the four of you."

Despite the fact that the others were unsettled by the idea of leaving behind Falchion, Owain seemed to be especially effected by that statement. "New names!? You're joking!"

Underneath the white hood, they could see Anankos' face remain stern as he replied, "I am not. I'm afraid abandoning your real names is a necessary precaution."

"So basically, we must hide our true identities in case the worst happens... A shadowy warrior of darkness living under a false identity-."

Like wearing a mask, Lucina thought despondently to herself. It all felt too familiar. It made her remember back when she first arrived into the past, where Aunt Lissa had almost been killed by the very same Risen that had chased her there. It was a close call, sure, but entering someone else' world and nearly messing everything up right from the start had added an extra level of carefulness and tried her best to interfere as little as possible. But this time was going to be different. This time is going to be direct meddling in a world they know nothing about, unlike traveling back in time where landmarks were still the same and you had some general knowledge of.

Inigo spoke up, "Um, Mr. Anankos, since you're having us change our names and appearances..." He tugs expectantly at his shoulder strap, "that means this task you're asking of us is incredibly difficult an dangerous. Correct?"

"You are correct. I need you to travel to another place and time, after all. It is a world where fates intertwine. A world of choices and consequences." Anankos dipped his head, further shading his face. "I truly hope the fates are kind to you there, because if they are not..." He raises his head again, this time his gaze seemingly burning as he finished, "then death awaits you all."

This was to be expected by Lucina. Indeed, if the perils that Anankos' world faces is as bad as he referred it to be, death would certainty play a heavy factor in what is to come.

But she and her friends did not waver.

"Well," Inigo began, "while death does sound like a probability, we have still agreed to this, did we not?"

"Yeah, it would be a shame and all," Severa added, "but that doesn't mean we would still refuse."

Owain flashed the robed man with his iconic smile as he spoke, "Though I doubt there's much reward in it for us, I will lend you my unholy strength!"

Now it was Lucina's turn to speak up, and even though she was still wrestling with the terms of leaving Flachion behind, she knew that she'd made a commitment to help those in need, and whatever the obstacles, she needed find the same amount of strength without the Divine Blade as she does now. She knew this better than anyone she'd ever met. And now was the time to prove that.

Taking one last look down at the blade by her side, unsheathed it and held it by both hands on each end and presented it to Anankos. Who shook his head in disbelief. "You agree to my request? Why?"

"Well," the myrmidon said smoothly, "its clear you're in a real mess. You need us."

Anankos again lowered his head so that this time his face could not be seen.

Severa spoke up. "Look. We may be young, but we have tons of experience on the battlefield. And we've all been through a lot. We can tell when someone really needs help."

"It's true," the silver-haired mercenary followed, "And when someone truly needs our help, it's not in our nature to refuse. We have said this before, yes? The stakes are high- that much is clear. We want to help in any way we can. Even if it all turns out to be a lie, we're choosing to believe in you."

Once again, Lucina was left to finish it up, and this time, she didn't miss a beat. "Where there is injustice and chaos, we swore to protect those in need. Let us show you- prove to you that we are those you seek to help restore peace to your world."

Anankos' sleeved shifted as though he were clenching his fists. There was a dramatic pregnant pause as nothing was before the sleeves of his robes relaxed showed his face again- or rather, the lower part, which revealed Anankos to be smiling in gratitude. "Thank you, young heroes."

Severa shrugged. "You sure looked suspicious when we first met though, covering your face like that. I never thought someone like you would come calling for us at the castle walls!"

Owain frowned. "And the first thing out of your mouth was, 'Please, save my kingdom!' And despite what little you've told us, that certainly got our attention."

"Yeah," Inigo said, "the most we could get out of you was when and where to meet you. It was all kinds of mysterious! How could we refuse?"

"And most importantly," Lucina found herself speaking up, "You ask me to leave Falchion behind without any solid proof that you are telling the truth." She shook her head. "As much as it pains me to part with it, I will do what is necessary if it means protecting those close to me."

Nodding with understanding, Anankos said, "I am sorry for keeping you in the dark."

"Meh, no worries." Said Severa. "But there's one thing I still don't understand..." The redhead arched her back and stretched her arms as she blurted out, "Why did we have to travel all this way to another CONTINENT to get more info!? You realize most people wouldn't be able to manage that, right?"

"Haha, I am sorry about that too. Still, you all came, nonetheless."

"I suppose being heroes is our birthright." Owain began to monologue, "Or maybe we crave the thrill of conquest... the seduction of revelation! No, I think it's just that we can't bear to abandon someone in need." His expression suddenly becomes stoic as he beamed the group's host. "But if we find out you're taking advantage of our heroic nature..." He swipes his hand and points at Anankos. "I hope you're prepared to face the consequences."

Owain's statement was met with a single nod. "I understand. I have no intention of deceiving you or taking advantage of your generosity. As heroes who defeated the Fell Dragon Grima, you deserve better." He shook his head. "Again, I must apologize. Knowing you four come from a desolate future... it pains me to involve you in another war."

Everyone including Lucina was shocked at what the stranger had to say.

"You know we're from the future!?" Inigo inquired angrily, "Just who are you, Mr. Anankos?"

"I..." That was all Anankos could manage to say, knowing that he had probably already said too much.

"Go on! Spit it out already!" Severa demanded.

Lucina, who had just earlier been offering the Divine Blade, now held it by the hilt once more and leveled it at Anankos. "Is there anything else you have been holding back from us?" She asked coldly.

Instead of answering, Anankos suddenly yelled, "Severa, get down!"

"Huh?" Was all she could get out before there was a flash of white and Anankos had covered the space between the two almost instantly, pushing her aside. Instantly following it was the sound of metal clashing with metal, and Lucina saw Anankos now with a dagger in his hand, putting himself in between Severa and shady purple figure.

The figure was only just visible if not for the ominous purple aura that outlined its silhouette, who had somehow snuck up behind the group without them noticing. And from the way it was positioned, the figure was about to deliver a fatal blow on Severa if Anankos had not intervened, and deflected the blade away from her. The other three immediately reacted on instinct- blades drawn- and put themselves in between the ghoul and the pair as they backed away and recovered.

Severa gasped. "Wh- who is that creep?"

Her questioned was only answered when Lucina heard Inigo speak out lowly, "by the gods..."

The group looked around them as more silhouettes appeared, some in different shapes and size. And the one that had just attacked them began to back away as more enemies appeared around him in a protective circle. Now surrounded, the four heroes including Anankos formed a defensive circle with their backs facing each other.

"What is going on here?" Lucina demanded, her stance on guard.

"What are those things!?" Owain also asked, "Zombies? Risen!?"

Inigo shook his head. "No, I don't think so. These are different. It is harder to see them, and they don't stink like the dead." He shot a quick glance at Anankos. "They clearly intend to kill us, but why?"

His question was only answered with a heavy sigh. "I'm afraid the fault is mine."

"What do you mean?"

Lucina also had the temptation of bombarding the hooded man with questions, but also highly doubted any of them were going to be answered any time soon, nor would it serve any useful purpose.

"Listen carefully, Those warriors are from another world. They followed me here." He turns his head back and forth towards everyone else. "I didn't want to affect this world any more than necessary, but-."

"What kind of a world do you live in if there are creepy jerks like those around!?" The red mercenary scolded.

Lucina knew that Severa was putting it mildly. If there indeed was such a world where enemies like this roamed freely, gods, she couldn't imagine the type of panic, hysteria and chaos that would come with it. But as far as right now was concerned, she and the rest of her friends were in a serious pinch, and finding a way out of it was going to prove to be an extremely difficult challenge.

"I... can't tell you that. Not Yet."

Owain spoke up, "Even if you could, we don't have the time. We need to defend ourselves!"

"Owain is right," Lucina agreed, "We can't let these things get the better of us and risk having them run amok! Now is the time to act!"

"And besides," Inigo concluded, giving Anankos an assuring wink, "We already said we believe in you. We meant it."

"Um," Severa interrupted, "That's sweet and all, but can we start the fighting already?" By this time, the enemy began to close in on the group, slowly but certainly, and everyone raised their weapons.