A/N: This is basically just Chrom arriving five-ten minutes later. Kayla is the name for the player character/Robin/Avatar.
I fucked up. There was no anger in the thought, just a sense of resignation. The anger had dissipated a long time ago, through punches and screaming in her tent. Kayla had always found that a good scream helped with pent-up emotions, or at least, she had in the last two and a half years or so. Now she was just sitting on a log in a clearing, surrounded by autumn leaves, staring at the sunset, wishing she could turn back time to before she handed the fire emblem, their last hope, over to her fath- Validar. That snake was not her father, and it helped no one for her to think of him that way.
"Beg pardon, Kayla. Might I have a word?"
Lucina's voice jolted Kayla from her thoughts.
"Of course, Lucina. What is it?" Kayla twisted slightly on the log, so as to be able to see Lucina better.
"It's about my father."
Of course it is. Kayla quickly dismissed the uncharitable thought. Although it sometimes seemed that Lucina only ever wanted to talk to her about Chrom, Kayla had long since realised that Lucina had had very little time to spend with her father as a child and was compensating for it now. Over-compensating, maybe?
Lucina continued speaking, unaware of Kayla's inner monologue. "I have memories of him, you know. From when I was little. Before he... died."
"I see... Is this going somewhere Lucina?"
"He was courageous, and kind, and everyone spoke fondly of him. People say he was brave right up until the very end."
Get to the point already.
"I always yearned to know him better. And now that I do... I can see that the world will be robbed of a very great man... I won't allow that to happen."
"I understand." Kayla said, "You love him... We all do. I promise you that I won't allow that to happen either."
Lucina shook her head, "Kayla, I... Please, forgive me..."
A soft ringing filled the air as Falchion left its scabbard. Lucina levelled her blade at Kayla's chest. Reacting almost on instinct, Kayla practically leapt up from her seated position, away from Lucina. One hand automatically went to the hilt of her own sword, but she did not draw it, not yet...
"Lucina?!"
"Stay where you are, Kayla!" There was strength in the younger woman's voice, but also an element of unease. "I have no choice." She continued, "I must kill you."
"What?! What are you talking about Lucina?" Kayla's mind was turning over inside her head, considering all the possible reasons and motives behind Lucina's actions, dismissing each one as it was found wanting. At the same time she was also assessing her surroundings and weighing her options. Her mind whittled the reasons down to one possible conclusion, just as Lucina spoke, confirming the theory.
"In my future, you... You killed my father."
"No, that's insane! Why would I kill Chrom?" Kayla spoke to extend the conversation, to gain time.
Is it really insane though? You know that you can't always control yourself. You saw what your father could do to you, with you. And the dreams...
"I was not certain myself, until now... I knew only that he had been killed by the person he believed to be his closest friend. Having witnessed your bond with him, I doubted it could be so... But today's events have made it clear."
They have, haven't they.
"You are at Validar's mercy." The unease from before had diminished, it was now almost non-existent. "I suspect it is he who forces you to take my father's life, and very soon..."
"Lucina, wait."
"If my father is right, then we can change our fates. If this dark future is to be averted, sacrifices must be made. I am sorry, Kayla! I know this is murder, I... I know that..."
"Lucina, you don't have to-"
Don't make this any harder than it already is! Don't resist, and your death will be swift and painless. If you hold any love for Chrom, then let this be done."
No! You cannot just let her kill you! This cannot happen!
"I do love Chrom, Lucina. But I cannot just let you kill me." Kayla drew her sword slightly, an inch of silver metal gleaming between the mouth of the scabbard and the crossguard.
Lucina wilted slightly. "I understand... Then draw your weapon! We shall let battle have final have the final judgement!"
Kayla's blade cleared its scabbard. "So be it." Sliding her right leg behind her, she dropped into a fighting stance. Opposite her, Lucina held Falchion parallel to the ground in a two-handed grip, level with her shoulders.
There was a momentary pause, as though nature itself was holding its breath in anticipation. Then Lucina surged forwards and the clearing rang with the sound of metal on metal. The two women leapt back from each other, each assessing the other's stance and guard for weaknesses.
Think. You know Lucina's fighting style. You utilise it against the appropriate opponents all the time. What are the weaknesses? What are the strengths? How does she lead? When does she fall back? Where does she leave herself open?
The blades clashed again and again, raising up sparks. Eventually Kayla's guard began slipping, Falchion began finding openings, small wounds opened up along her forearms. Kayla knew she wasn't as good a swordswoman as her blue-haired opponent and began to fall back under Lucina's ferocious assault.
More and more, Lucina slipped past her guard, only quick reflexes saving Kayla from serious injuries. She began to tire, she began to feel weak as sweat mixed with blood from a thousand tiny cuts.
Lucina drew back her arm and swung Falchion in a devastating arc. Kayla brought her own blade up to block it. Falchion met silver and found it wanting. Kayla's sword snapped in half and Falchion continued along its deadly path, biting deep into Kayla's side just below her ribs. Kayla screamed in pain, startling what few birds remained in the trees. Lucina pulled the blade out, intending to finish her opponent off.
"I'm sorry, Kayla." Lucina raised her sword above her head, clearly aiming to bring it down on Kayla. Kayla reached inside her robes and pulled out the first thing she found.
A tome. Arcwind.
The glyphs formed in the air between Kayla and Lucina. Kayla felt a rush of power and the magic exploded outwards, launching Lucina across the clearing, and smashing her into a tree. She fell to the ground, unmoving.
Shit.
Kayla felt her vision growing dark as more blood poured out of her side. As she toppled forward into unconsciousness, she heard fast approaching footsteps and Chrom's voice.
"LUCINA!"
SHIT.
A/N: This is only chapter one, more to come. Please leave a review if you liked it.