Author's Note: First of all, thank you so much for reading this story. This is my first attempt at writing that isn't forced by some paper for school. As such, I would love your feedback on what you think; what could be improved, what doesn't make sense, etc. Secondly, I have story essential couples planned out already, but I will certainly consider feedback on other relationships. Once again, I am extremely new at this whole writing-for-fun thing, so by all means, give me advice. So, please enjoy Dual Tactics!
Two figures stood before me, standing above the defeated man lying face-down on the ground. Purple flames of residual energy danced around his body, with one of the figures, hood pulled over their head, standing close by with their sword pointing down at the fallen. The blue-haired figure turned towards me and smiled, a satisfied and relieved smile growing on his face.
The hooded figure was suddenly thrown back by a blast of the remaining energy, as the fallen one rose and fired a blast of magic at the blue-haired man. I ran over and pushed him out of the way, taking the blow and getting thrown down the long hallway.
I groaned and looked up frantically at the scene before me. The blue-haired man lifted up the hooded figure, and spoke to them, out of earshot from myself. I saw the hooded one grab at their head in pain, as tiny shocks of electricity began to form around their other hand. I called out in warning as I witnessed the magic stab into the blue-haired man's chest, the electric bolt protruding from their body as he backed away.
"This… This is… not… your fault." The blue-haired man struggled to say. He fell to the ground, blood quickly beginning to pool around his body as the magic dissipated from the wound.
"Chrom, we have to do something." A female voice said entreatingly.
"What do you propose we do?" A male voice followed, sounding concerned.
Another young man slowly began opening his eyes, vision blurred and blinded by the sudden exposure to light. The female voice spoke again, as his vision returned.
"Uhh… I don't know - "She stopped as she saw that the man's eyes opened, everything becoming clear around him. The girl who was speaking was small, with blond hair that separated into two pigtails on the sides of her head, held there by strings of silver which fell down next to her cheeks, contrasting the color of her pale green eyes. Both the man and the girl gasped and leaned down as they saw this, smiling to the newly awoken stranger.
"I see you're awake now. There are better places to take a nap than on the ground you know. Here, give me your hand." The name seemingly named Chrom offered his hand to the man on the ground, pulling him up to his feet.
The young man looked older, bearing resemblance to the girl in facial features. His hair was a striking dark shade of cerulean, matching his eyes, and his smile was warm and friendly.
The man who was previously on the ground noticed, in passing, a strange purple marking on the back of his right hand as he got up.
"Are you alright?" Chrom asked.
"Y-yes…" The now upright man paused and got his words together, still dazed from just waking up. "Thank you Chrom."
"Ah, then you know who I am then?" Chrom replied, taken a little by surprise by the friendly thanks.
He was more surprised when the man scratched his shaggy blond hair and squinted his dark born eyes in confusion. "No, actually, I… It's strange," the man said perplexed. "Your name, it just… came to me."
"Hmm… How curious…" Chrom responded in a low tone. "Tell me, what's your name? What brings you out here?"
"My name is… It's…" The man struggled and held his head, a sharp pain stopping him from continuing.
Chrom returned to being surprised and confused, "You don't know your own name?"
"I'm not sure if… I'm sorry, but where am I exactly?"
The girl spoke up, "Hey, I've heard of this! It's called amnesia!" she exclaimed.
That makes sense of why I can't remember anything... at all.., their confused companion thought. Not all present agreed with that. "It's called a load of pegasus dung," said another voice, deeper than Chrom's.
The three turned around to see a fourth party, older than them, standing tall in heavy white and blue horse-riding armor. His brown hair matched his eyes, which were squinted towards the stranger with doubt. He continued, "We are to believe that you remember milord's name, but not your own?"
The stranger in question sputtered, "B-but it's the truth!"
Chrom looked at the armored man in the eye and said, "What if it IS true Fredrick? We can't just leave him here, alone and confused." He turned to look at the confused mess of a man beside him and said with concern, "What kind of Shepherds would we be then?"
The man named Fredrick quickly replied, "Just the same milord, I must emphasize caution. 'Twould not do to let a wolf into our flock."
Chrom considered his friend's words. After taking a moment, he decided, "Right then-we'll take him back to town and sort it out there."
The man in question spoke up, "Wait one moment," he protested. "Don't I have a say in this?"
"Peace, friend," Chrom said with a smile. "I promise we'll hear all you have to say back in town." He turned around and began walking, "Now come."
Though his voice was warm, the last statement was nothing short of a command. With a long sigh, the blonde stranger resigned to his fate and began walking towards a town which he hoped was close by.
Along the way, the young girl introduced herself as Lissa to the stranger. With the extra time to peruse what little remained of his memories, the stranger introduced himself as well, "It is nice to meet you Lissa. My name is Robin... I just remembered that. Very strange... At least that mystery is solved."
Looking past Robin as they walked, Lissa interrupted, "Uhh... Chrom, I think there is another person over there." She pointed off to the side of the path where a figure could be seen face up in the grass, seemingly asleep.
Her companions went over to the figure, Chrom saying, "This day just went from strange to weird." They looked up on the sleeping woman, whose white-blonde hair was spread out beneath her. Her face looked peaceful in slumber, emphasized by her soft facial features. "You don't happen to recognize her by chance, do you Robin? I must say, if you were a woman, I imagine you would look near identical."
Robin shot Chrom a questioning look at the comment, but looked down and picked his brain, "Not that I remember." He paused, then continued, "Not that my memory is of much reliability at the moment."
Robin backed up for Lissa and Chrom to examine her. The attention must have stirred the sleeping woman, as she began to slowly open her eyes much in the same way that Robin had not an hour ago.
"Hey there," said a smiling Lissa in a soft tone.
This seems familiar in more ways than one, thought Robin.
In a repeat performance of his awakening, Chrom offered a hand to the dazed woman and hoisted her up. She saw a strange purple marking as she took the offered hand, but couldn't dwell on it because of a sudden throbbing in her mind.
"Are you alright miss?" Chrom asked to woman.
She held her head and looked up at Chrom. "I am now. Thank you Chrom." Her face, as well as the rest of the parties, turned to surprise.
"Another one? This is too much!" Fredrick tightened his grip on his silver lance.
Chrom waved his hand is dismissal, "It is alright Fredrick. This will simply be the same as with Robin. We can discuss this when we arrive at the town. You wouldn't happen to remember who you are do you?" He asked with a joking manner.
By now, the woman, looking to be in her early 20's like Chrom and Robin, had composed herself somewhat through the constant headaches. "My name is Vivian. I can say that for sure. Do you know where we are?" she asked, a quizzical look on her face.
Chrom, Fredrick, and Lissa were all visibly taken aback at the response. "Uhh… well we are in Ylisse. And I suppose if you really are in the same position as Robin, you'll have to come with us until we determine you aren't enemies." As he spoke, Chrom indicated the direction that they had been walking.
"You mean where that smoke is coming from?" Vivian asked, following Chrom's arm.
All heads turned, seeing the top of a dark smoke cloud that began to rise into the air.
"The town!" Lissa gasped.
Chrom and Fredrick's expressions immediately changed into shock, then determination.
"This will have to wait milord. We must hurry!" Fredrick shouted as he mounted his horse.
Chrom and Lissa quickly followed him on foot, Chrom shouting back at Robin as he they ran towards the smoke, "Bring her with you! Follow us, quick!?
Turning to Vivian, Robin questioned, "Are you alright to run? We shouldn't get far behind."
Vivian's head was a churning mess of questions and mysteries. She didn't know who any of these people were, save for knowing Chrom's name from the start. Without any other options, she reasoned that staying with these people that found her was her best course of action. Assuming there was nothing serious happening to this town, at least she could ask some questions when they arrived.
"I'll be alright, yes. I can run. Let's follow them." Vivian said, rubbing her head one last time.
Robin and Vivian took off down the grass and back onto the path, running at a full sprint after their mysterious companions.
The town was in sight quickly, and the two stragglers caught up to the other three as they heard Chrom shouting angrily.
"This must be the bandits that we have been chasing this whole week. Dammit! We should have found them sooner!"
"There is no time to waste then. We must go and take them out before any more of the town catches fire," Fredrick responded hastily.
Below them, they could see the entire town's situation; a few small buildings, likely homes for the families of the workers who worked in the bigger ones, lied on the edges of the area. Larger buildings surrounded the center of town, the focal point being a large stone church, its plate glass window in the large tower above the entrance reflecting the afternoon sun.
In front of the church was a paved town square, although the majority of the roads were compacted dirt. It would have looked like any other normal town had it not been for the bandits running around into the buildings, coming out with a sack of loot, and throwing a torch back into the entrance.
"Fredrick, Lissa, let's go. Robin and Vivian, stay here where it is safe." The three took off without hesitation.
The two amnesiacs watched them leave, each more than a little unsettled at their lack of usefulness. With these thoughts, Robin's hand unconsciously found its way into one of the various pockets that his cloak had. He felt a large rectangular object he hadn't noticed before, and took it out to examine it.
It was an old book, well worn, and obviously read a great deal. It was bound in a thick, dark brown cover, with a lightning bolt etched into the cover. Robin flipped through the book, the complex symbols and characters unfamiliar to him. Upon focusing on the symbols within the book, he was rewarded with a tingling sensation as sparks arched between his fingertips.
Vivian noticed this and looked on in surprise, "Is that a spellbook? Are you a mage?"
Robin was to fascinated to respond, focusing on the symbols within the tome and gesturing his outstretched hand in what surprised him to be a familiar motion.
He was rewarded with a weak bolt of lightning firing from his hand and flying into the tree he gestured towards, leaving a decent sized scorch mark.
Vivian was'shocked' at what she saw. "I thought I understood that you couldn't remember anything. How did you do that?" she asked Robin.
"Honestly, I am not so sure. It certainly felt familiar though, no question there." He turned towards her as he said this, and couldn't help noticing her rubbing her fingertips on a hilt that was barely revealed underneath her own cloak. "What about that you have there? You're lucky that Fredrick didn't scan it eyes across you like he did to me," he pointed.
She hadn't even noticed that she was touching the hilt. Vivian pulled the sword from its sheath, revealing a clearly used, but well maintained, bronze short sword. She swung it back and forth, as he body naturally shifted into a defensive stance.
"I understand what you mean when you said the magic felt familiar," she said. "If we both can defend ourselves with these, then I think we owe it to Chrom to help him out in town."
Gazing down the hill, they saw Fredrick lead the charge into the town square, plunging his lance into the neck of a bandit that was caught unaware by the approaching rider.
Robin nodded, "I agree. Though we definitely should meet up with them first and explain ourselves quickly before Fredrick thinks twice about following Chrom's trust."
Robin and Vivian turned towards each other and smirked. Together they ran down the path that lead to the entrance town, Robin with tome in hand, Vivian with sword at the ready.
Chrom deflected an overhand blow from an axe-wielding bandit, leaving the attacker off balance as Chrom kicked him to the ground, following with a quick stab to the throat.
Nearby, he could see Fredrick fighting off two bandits, each wielding swords, with the range that his mount and lance provided him. Lissa was standing behind him, watching warily because of the proximity of the enemies to her.
The first of the bandits dove into Fredrick's range, immediately being met with unrelenting jabs that put the bandit on the back foot. With Fredrick occupied, the other bandit ran around the side, charging at the unprotected Lissa.
The sword-wielder slashed at her, Lissa jumping backwards awkwardly as far as she could to get out of range. Fredrick, seeing her in danger, forcefully overpowered his opponent and turned his steed around to charge at her attacker.
Unfortunately, the untrained cleric lost her footing, unused to being the object of a focused one-on-one attack. Panic flooded over her face, as did Fredrick's, as he was just out of range and the sword was flying towards Lissa's unarmored body.
"Thunder!" Robin called from the distance. The lightning bolt struck Lissa's attacker in the chest, stopping his strike and sending him flying backwards, straight into an enraged Fredrick's lance, impaling the bandit's spine.
"Are you alright Lissa?!" Vivian called upon reaching her and Fredrick, Robin following close behind. Fredrick looked in surprise to see the two robed amnesiacs run up to them, Vivian armed with a sword, Robin with his fingertips still sparking from the magic.
"Lissa!" Chrom exclaimed as he came up to the group. Behind him lay another bandit, struck down by his blade.
"I'm alright now," she exhaled, standing up. She turned her the blonde-haired savior, mouth agape, "But Robin, since when could you use magic?!"
"Since you left us up on that hill, wishing we could help you out," he responded with a smirk. "We both are clearly combat trained, as you can see," pointing to Vivian's sword arm.
"We need to get moving again. The longer we wait, the more people will be endangered by these ruffians," Vivian stated firmly. "Lissa, keep with Fredrick, but stay closer to him. Your attacker was able to get past him because you were too far away when Fredrick was pressured," she continued.
"Chrom, I'll be fighting with you. Since Robin is our only ranged attacker…" Vivian began.
"I'll stick to casting spells to support your advance. Fredrick, you and Lissa take up the rear and take on anyone who tries to flank us," Robin cut in.
"This way Lissa will stay well protected and we can still have a strong front, even with the few fighters we have," Vivian finished. The two amnesiacs looked at each other with a look of surprise, which turned to smiles as they realized what they had just done.
Chrom and Fredrick were in too much shock to speak until they finished their back and forth strategizing.
Chrom's surprise turned into a grin when he saw the two working together to figure out the best way to keep his sister, and the rest of them, safe from harm. "Alright then. We will follow your lead. Let's get back in there," he said.
Vivian strode up to him and stood tall at his side, blade at the ready, prepared to move forward.
Fredrick moved with Lissa behind Robin, taking his place in the formation, an obvious pained look on his face.
"Fredrick, you did not thing wrong," Robin spoke softly as he passed.
Fredrick paused. "Milady was almost killed because of my failure," he choked on the words.
"You all have shown me kindness I couldn't hope to return. You took me with you all and at least showed me… well, mostly friendliness," Robin took a breath, preparing his words carefully. Fredrick turned towards Robin as he spoke again. He looked Fredrick in the eye, "I will have your back. No need to do this on your own. We'll protect them together," he said with conviction.
"You speak for the both of us Robin," Vivian interrupted. "I consider myself more than lucky to have you all be the ones to wake me up." She turned to Chrom then to the rest of the group as she spoke, "Consider us friends from here on."
Chrom shook smiled and shook his head. "When I said we would discuss this when we got to town, this is not what I had in mind," he looked around at the bandits that had noticed them, now running towards them. "But I see nothing wrong with either of you, so I trust you. And that has been sealed with your protection of Lissa," he threw a grateful look at Robin and Vivian. Chrom turned back and pointed his blade Falchion at the oncoming attackers. "Now, let's put your plan into action shall we? This town has been bothered by these troublemakers for long enough."
Fredrick considered all these words, and a determined look took over his previously solemn face.
"May Naga have mercy on them," Fredrick said grimly.
The party of five charged forward, with their trust in each other founded, soon to be face its first test of many in combat.
The battle was quickly turned in their favor after the regroup. Vivian was more talented with a blade than anyone had suspected. Paired with Chrom, the two made a near unstoppable duo.
The shepherds and amnesiacs protected each other from all sides, taking out the remaining bandits like a wave crashing against a cliff. Any bandits coming from the front had their weapon blocked by Chrom's Falchion, soon followed up by a wide slash across the exposed body from Vivian.
Vivian found it surprisingly easy to keep her wits about her in the thick of clashing metal. Clearly she had a lot of experience, but of course, the origins of that were a complete mystery to her. Never the less, she kept up with Chrom's swordplay beautifully, creating openings for him and Robin with a quick parry.
Anyone who tried to get around the two dancing blades could not go far, as Robin was quick with his Thunder spell to take out any would-be attackers to their formation. Casting the spell over and over again made the feeling of the magic coursing through him all the more familiar. It seemed to him much like riding a horse, it is easy to pick up again after not doing it for a while.
The few attackers that came from behind were swiftly introduced to his lance in the worst way possible. Fredrick looked on from the back of the formation when he got the chance to see his companions battling expertly. Being a knight for most of his life, he was able to notice the wisdom that was being played out by their current formation. Though he was disappointed that he ended up on the back side, it was for the better.
As most of the bandits were swords-men, he could more easily dispatch them by himself. Also, the formation provided Lissa the best possible cover with her being close to him, and having the ability to fall back to Robin should the need arise. Fredrick made a mental note to ask about this uncanny tactical thinking demonstrated by the amnesiacs after the battle.
About a dozen and a half bandits remained after the regroup a while ago, and now only the leader of the invaders remained.
He stood in front of the church, brandishing a large axe. He was a burly man, toned muscles showing where his leather armor did not cover. Seeming to know he would share the fate of his fallen comrades, he called out angrily, "Come on little sheepies! Come to me like lambs to the slaughter! Garrick will do to you what you just did to all my men!"
With the fires still burning the town, Chrom wasted no breath on this madman before him. He charged forward, hearing the cracking of Thunder as the bolt of lightning flew past him towards the leader.
Garrick brought up his axe in defense as the bolt struck the flat of it, sending a wave of pain up his arm, forcing it to go numb. He managed to recover just enough to block the first strike Chrom brought from overhead, but could only barely dodge a fatal blow as Vivian brought in a wide strike at his side from the right, landing a solid gash in his left side.
He did not have to endure that suffering for long. The pain from the blow brought him to his knees, giving Chrom the leverage to force him down and kick the axe out of his hands. Chrom saw the look of anger on Garrick's face has he swiftly ended him with a strike at the neck. With his death, the bandits were eliminated from the town.
The fires that the bandits had set had been quelled, thanks to the townspeople uniting beneath Chrom's orders. Robin and Vivian assumed he was a noble of some sort, as all the townspeople seemed to recognize him. Lines of people passes buckets down in a very orderly fashion, leaving only smoke and minimal damage to the buildings that had been affected.
Vivian joined the rest of the members of the ragtag group when the clean-up had been finished, a relieved smile on her face, "Well, that's the end of that. I'm glad that none of the people here were seriously injured."
"I am as well," Lissa said, getting up from Chrom's side. He had minor scratches from the battle, none to serious. "However, now it is time to think about yourself. Come here and let me take a look at your wounds."
Vivian's instincts with the blade certainly were sharp, but the sudden necessity to use them had left her with a few cuts to her arms when instincts weren't quite enough. She had to make sure that she began practicing swordplay if this sort of thing were to continue.
She walked over and sat next to Chrom for Lissa to use her Heal staff. It was strange seeing the accelerated healing process that the staff incurred. Her cuts began to dissipate as they were exposed to the light of Lissa's staff. Like time rewinding, she soon found herself and her cloak mended where there had once been evidence of the battle.
Robin and Fredrick walked over to them, Robin flipping through the pages of his tome while speaking to the knight.
"I have told you all I remember Fredrick. Really. The only things I can remember are skills and tactics, everything else is blank," Robin looked up at his walking companion apologetically. "I cannot explain it. Please, believe me, I have truly shared everything I know."
Upon hearing this, Chrom stood up and looked to Fredrick, "Surely Fredrick, you cannot continue to doubt these two. The only reason we all remain here without serious harm is because of them."
Fredrick shook his head, "My trust of them began when they aided Lissa milord, I owe them that much. Though I wish all my doubts to be dispelled, which is why I continue to ask." He turned towards Vivian, whom Lissa was finishing up with. "And you Vivian? Do you have any returning memories?"
It was Vivian's turn to shake her head, "I'm afraid not. Though I have been trying, nothing returns to me other than ideal placements of fighters on a battlefield," she said solemnly.
Chrom crouched town and put a hand on her shoulder. "Do not worry. Just be who you are now. And when your memories return, it will be a blessing."
Vivian nodded, but didn't look up. Robin shut his tome with a sigh, and placed it back in the pocket he had retrieved it from.
"Until that time though, I have a proposition for you both." Chrom's words grabbed the amnesiac's attention. Intrigued, Vivian stood up, and Robin tiled his head.
"Your skills were invaluable to us today, and I may very well owe my sister's life to you two." Lissa smiled widely and was probably about to rant her thanks, but Chrom continued before she could interrupt him.
"I realize that we just met today, but I feel that we have gone from strangers to friends thanks to today's battle. For this reason, I would like to invite you two to join us as shepherds." Finishing his proposal, Chrom smiled widely, crossing his arms in anticipation.
Robin laughed heartily, "I was hoping that you would say that. I would much rather be with you all than wandering the wilderness. I would be honored to join you," he said as he approached Chrom's now extended hand to shake it.
Vivian smiled sweetly, "If you'll have me, I would love to join you. There is no place I would rather be than with you all." She walked forward to shake Chrom's hand as well.
"Well that settles it then. Robin, Vivian," Chrom spoke, nodding to each. "Welcome to the shepherds."
Having refused the villagers offer of hospitality in favor of getting back home sooner, the 5 shepherds were beginning to fall asleep beneath the starry sky, the crackling fire giving them faint light. Chrom and Lissa had fallen asleep, Fredrick sat a little ways from the fire, taking the first watch.
"Vivian?" Robin asked.
"Yes Robin?"
"You don't think that we're family do you? All these resemblances seem… too much of a coincidence."
"No, I don't believe so," she said quietly. "This might seem silly seeing as how I don't remember anything but… I think I would remember a brother if I had one."
"Why do you say that?"
"It's similar to the way I fought today. Even though I don't remember any of my training, clearly I had a great deal. I feel it would be the same if I saw a sibling. My mind may not be able to recall them, but my heart would." Vivian chuckled. "This sounds so strange when I say it out loud."
Robin let loose a small laugh. "Even in this matter, our thoughts are eerily similar. I wonder, if we played chess would anyone ever claim victory?"
"Of course." Vivian replied frankly. "I would," she shrugged.
Robin laughed one more time. "So that's how it's going to be huh? Well, I suppose tacticians have to keep each other on their toes."
The two of them shared a smile, and looked up towards the dark expanse of the night sky, weariness taking over their bodies at last.