Fire Emblem Alternative - Dark Chronicles

Summary: We have heard the stories. Of the Great Exalt whom hailed as the reincarnation of the Hero King. Of the Shepherds, who never back down from invaders. Of the children, who crossed through time and space to save the future.

Now hear the tale, of a selfish woman and her sacrifice. If you want to make things right, do it over again at the beginning. By yourself.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem series nor any of it creative content. This is purely made from my passion and love for the story and the characters. All music references belong to their respective performer, creator, musician & studio, I made no profit from them.

"Talking"

This for Thinking, Flashback, Transmission or Whispering"

"Summon/Mind talking, SFX"


Dedicated to a reader of mine:

MrTyorel


One-Shot or Prologue ?

Another Future Past

" Chrom... CHROM !"

As soon as the barrier dropped, Sumia rushed to her husband.

" CHROM ! PLEASE ! TALK TO ME !"

The young Queen begged, trying to wake him up. But there was no reaction. No matter how much she shook his body or shouted at him. Chrom could only looked back at her with his soulless eyes. Blood slowly seeping out from the hollow wound in his chest, colored her battledress with his own blood. Sumia started crying, holding onto her King's dead body like it was the only thing that matter to her... It really was.

Her heartbreaking sob and cry paused both the Shepherds and the Grimleals. Lissa fell onto her knees, tears falling, both hands covering her lips to keep herself from crying out loud. But that didn't keep the young Princess's body from going into shock. The second time she witness a sibling of her die. Also the last time.

" My lord... No... Why ?..." Frederick's expression quickly went from shock to anger.

" TRAITOR ! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE !?"

Shouted the knight on his mount, the tip of his spear aiming at the purple cloak man standing next to his fallen lord.

" Heh heh heh... HA HA HA !"

The man laughed as he thrown his head back, short silver haired swayed back along with his hood.

" Wrong."

" wHaT DiD I Do ?" He asked them, a cruel smile adorning his handsome face. " cLEanInG oUt tHe tRaSh, Of cOuRsE."

" That is not him."

" ... Trash ? You DARE call him TRASH ?!" Sumia asked from the floor, still holding Chrom in her hands.

" Tharja, if things went wrong. Promise me."

" wHaT ElSe sHoUlD It bE ? YoU HuMaN ArE AlL TrAsH."

The man said, his voice echoed for all to hear, deformed and inhuman.

" i aM GrImA ThE FeLl dRaGoN. i aM DeSpAiR."

The tome and sword on his hands fell onto the ground. The whole chamber shook as power flowed through the air, focusing into a single point. The dark shade appeared in the air, shooting themselves at Grima. Covering his whole body.

" Take care of Noire. Take care of yourself. Live, my love."

Blinding light lit up. When everyone opened their eyes again, what they saw stunned them.

" i hAvE ReTuRnEd. I...Am...tHe eNd."

Breaking through the chamber's ceiling, taller than any building. The Fell Dragon spread its wings for all to see. Six red eyes peering from between two horns, looking down at the human below it. The human, even the most hardened warriors, froze on the spot from the pressure. They were prey, he was the predator. Fear overridden their mind, instinct screaming at them to run. To save themselves.

But they couldn't, their legs refused to obey, to move.

Like sheep waiting to be slaughtered...

If not for her.

" HYYAAAA !"

With a ferocious battlecry, Sumia ram her spear into the Fell Dragon's head. Her spear scraped against his metal like skin, nearly reaching one of its eyes. Suddenly being attacked, Grima attempted to bite at her. Only to miss as Sumia controlled her nightmare to fly out of its reach.

Grima whipped its tail at the dark flier. Knocking both the rider and the nightmare out from the sky. Sumia screamed out in pain, trying to call back her nightmare. Only to see her precious companion being tear apart inside the dragon's jaw. Thinking it was all over as she descended, Sumia gave up, saying sorry to her husband.

" Oh no you don't !"

Another dark flier caught her and took her away from the Fell Dragon's jaw. Sumia noticed strands of red hair in her vision. It was Cordelia. On the ground below them, magic energy started gathering, both dark, light and elemental. Archers nocked their arrows in place. Warriors and Riders charged forward, armed with throwing weapons, led by their trusting Heavy Knight commander. Chaos ensured as everything was released at the same time, aiming at the evil dragon before them.

" Give him back... GIVE HIM BACK TO ME !"

Tharja screamed, releasing her dark power along with Henry. The smile already gone from his face, only a scowl and fury decorated the Dark Knight's face. The band of warriors and riders swept through the Grimleals, charging at the Fell Dragon. Weapons soared into the air, impacted against the evil being's skin. Some hit and logged themselves into it. Some fell out, did not have enough force to break into his thick skins.

" YoU CaNnOt sLaY... wHaT MaY NeVeR DiE..."

With that said, the dragon retaliated, breathing fire at the Shepherds. They scattered avoiding the destructive breath. But not all of them made it. Many were burned, perished in the flame leaving nothing. Some were scotched, badly burned or losing a limb or two. Some willingly stayed, covering their comrades from harm. Staying together even in death.

The bravest, were the first to fall.

A single attack, a single breath of fire, wiped out more than half of their force.

That, was the power of Grima, fully reincarnated into their world.

The whole chamber shook and started collapsing. Grima rose up, flew high into the sky. With a strong flap of its wings, the building went down, raining debris and stones onto the human inside. Shepherds and Grimleals alike.


Opening her eyes, Lissa felt pain all over her body, the sound of earth crumbling, shouting of battle, cry of pain. A grunt of pain came from beside her. The War Cleric turned over and saw the hulking form of Frederick, struggling against a pillar from collapsing... onto her.

" Lissa !" The Knight Commander shouted at her. " Lissa please run ! I cannot hold this much longer !"

The girl did not answer, only staring at him. His armor was battered, shoulder plates missing, blood dyed his dark brown hair. Then the evil dragon roared, peering down at them from above. Energy gathering in its jaw, about to be released upon them.

" LISSA PLEASE ! RUN !" Shouted Frederick in desperation. His feet staggered under the weight of the gigantic pillar.

" SAVE YOURSELF ! FOR OUR SON !"

... She smiled at him, a sad, serene smile.

" I'm sorry Frederick... Mother is so sorry, Owain."

The dragon roared as it released another breath of destruction.

" LISSAA ! FREDERICKKK !"

Sumia screamed from her seat behind Cordelia, witnessing her sister-in-law and many more of her friends got consumed in the flame. The red haired had to hold her back else the Queen would no doubt fall from her seat. Wanting to get down and save her friends... Or what was left of them.

Because of that, both riders did not see a piece of rubble falling down on them. Only when the shadow fell onto them that they noticed. With great reflexes, the Pegasus Commander reined her nightmare back, knocking the Queen out of her ride before the piece of stone could hit both of them. Luckily, they were not that high above the ground. Sumia fell onto the hard ground, rolling to a stop. Several of her bones cracked, one of her leg was burning with pain, unable to move.

Helping herself up, enough to look around, Sumia searched for her friend. Noticing a bright red color among the smoke and thick dust, the Queen limped forward... Her heart wrenched in pain at what she saw. The big rubble lied on top of both the mount, crushing it to dead. Cordelia's lower half stuck underneath. A pool of blood slowly filled up beside her.

" Su...mi...a." The red haired whispered as she saw her friend limped toward her broken body.

" Ru..Run."

" I will not, I'll help you out of there." Sumia sobbed, trying to help her friend. Knowing it was impossible. " We'll make it out of here, together."

Cordelia reached out, her plated hand caught in between Sumia's. Smiling for a last time, before her hand dropped out from the Queen's grip, onto the floor, unmoving... Sumia held back the pain, the sadness. Her hand reached out to close her friend's eyes. Despite the chaos around her, she offered a silent prayer for Cordelia... The silence did not last long.

" There she is ! The Queen of Ylissee !"

" Kill her then ! Lord Grima will be pleased !"

The Grimleals remnants. Even when most of them were killed by the God they worship, those zealots still aim to please him. They quickly surrounded the fallen Dark Flier, eager for the kill. Sumia looked at them, the fire of rage disappeared from her eyes. It was all over, she thought. There was nothing she could do... Or not.

Picking up Cordelia's spear, she readied herself.

" The least I can do is take those zealots with me."

Thought the fallen Queen as the fire returned to her eyes.

" Come and get your share, heathens ! I will take you to the otherworld with me !"

The Grimleals rushed in with glee. Both sides were ready for what happen next.

Death welcomed them all.


" Give him back !"

The power of darkness surrounded Grima then exploded violently. Still he suffered nothing.

" Give him back !"

Throwing one hand up, Tharja channeled the strong Wind power. The magical energy surged forward, the green flow of power lunched at Grima. Grima growled in annoyance, its head swaying before slamming down at the Sorceress. She got out of way in time, rolling on the ground. But before she could get back on her feet, the Fell Dragon swept its head to the side. Tharja's eyes went wide, seeing her own doom coming.

Then someone took her hands and used it to thrown her away. The Plegian's body slide across the floor before coming to a halt near a fallen pillar. Disoriented for a moment before standing and looking at the spot she was a moment before, Tharja noticed a black horse lied dead. Not far from it, Henry was spotted, laying in a pool of his own blood. It was far so she couldn't see clearly. Under the armor, Henry's body was mutilated beyond recognition. Something better left unseen, even for Tharja.

Above them, the dragon remained. High and mighty. It looked down at them, mocking them, toying with them... They never stood a chance. Getting back on her feet. Tharja once again channeled her power. Only to be interrupted when another woman grabbed her hand and pushed her back behind a big rubble.

" Do you have a death wish ?!"

Tiki gritted her teeth as she harshly yelled at the sorceress, trying to be as quiet as possible.

" Does it even matter !?" Tharja pulled away from her, yanking her hand out off the manakete's grip.

" There is nothing we can do ! The Exalt is dead ! So is his wife ! And my..my... HE turned into that ! Everything is go- "

SMACK !

Tharja's screech stopped midway. Tiki just gave her a slap right in the face.

" Do you believe in what you're saying ? Are you even listening to yourself ?!"

The manakete princess grabbed the mage's shoulders, making Tharja turned and faced her.

" I overheard the promise you two made together ! You cannot die here, Tharja. Someone has to go back ! Go back and warn others about this threat ! I hate to admit it but you are the last one who's still in top shape to run away ! Please, Tharja. For your daughter, for HIM! Or at least..."

Tiki's voice softened. Dropping her head, holding back the tears threatened to fall. Finally, the thousand years old manakete whispered, tears trailing on her cheeks.

" For us who are not chosen by him, instead of you."

With those final words, she released her grips on Tharja's shoulders. The sorceress staggered back. Her mind was a wrecked, with the tragedy happened around them, with the pain of losing her husband, her so called friends and most of all, the responsibilities she had to bear then. After a few seconds, Tharja gathered herself, standing straight and tall like she used to be. Her eyes burned with determination.

" You're right. I have things to do rather staying here and whine like a child. After all, he chooses me for a reason."

The green haired girl shook her head in resignation. Tharja will be Tharja, thought Tiki.

Grima roared once more, cutting their conversation short.

" Go, I will cover your exist."

" Don't be a fool, girl. You're coming with me. I will never hear the end of it when the child of Naga went missing."

" ... Let us go then." Tiki sighed, decided it was no use arguing with the sorceress.

" And Tharja, don't say anything about what happened here. About him."

The sorceress thought about it and nodded in agreement. If the news were to leak, her children, their children, would suffer. Their father became Grima and slaughtered the whole Shepherds along with the Exalt family. It would be strange if their family were not executed on the spot... Tharja hoped that none of them made it out alive except for Tiki and herself.

Both women moved through the chaotic chamber, avoiding enemies while trying to not look at the bodies of their dead comrade. They failed miserably. Because standing among the rubble, right next to its dead wielder, was the Falchion. Tharja was about to discarded the sword and continued on her track. But Tiki held her back. The sword was necessary. The only thing that could damage Grima.

So they walked closer and retrieved the sword. Tharja scowled at the weight but still decided to keep it.

" YLISSIAN ! I WILL AVENGE LORD VALIDAR !"

From above, coming down at them with dark energy gathered at her hand, Aversa looked like the goddess of vengeance herself. Her spell casted, making the air around Tharja and Tiki ripple before an explosion occurred. Thanked to their high resistance against magic, they only suffered light burn. Tharja put out her hand and her tome in the other, ready to cast a spell on Validar's seductress.

That was when Tiki transformed and lunged herself at the Dark Flier. The emerald dragon chased at the nightmare and its rider, shooting spheres of ice and avoiding spells at the same time. From below, Tharja was struggling with her aim, wanting to help taking down Aversa but fearing of misfired on the manakete. The chase didn't last long as their little commotion got the attention of Grima. The Fell Dragon opened its jaw and shot a stream of fire at them. Seeing the flame, Tiki turned on her back, dodging the oncoming attack... as it consumed Aversa, who was right in front of her then.

When the stream cut off, nothing remains of Validar's foster child.

" aH, cHiLd oF NaGa. I WaS WoNdErInG WhErE YoU ArE."

Tiki refused to answer, only looking straight at the dragon hundred times her size. Tharja swore in her mind, cursing their bad luck. Now that the Fell Dragon had noticed Naga's offspring, it would not let them go. The sorceress wrack her brain, trying to find a way out... HE was suppose to be the strategist, not her !

" Tharja, listen to me." Suddenly Tiki's voice appeared in her mind.

" While Grima is distracted with me, run straight to the exit."

" OH HELL NO ! I am not leaving you here, dragon girl !"

The sorceress cursed in her mind, peeking out at the scene above the ground. Tiki was trying to buy time, listening to Grima's speech without showing any responses of her own. It wouldn't last long, they knew.

" Plegian ! You promised ! Do you intend to break that promise ?!"

Tharja flinched at the accusation, she bit her lips at the frustration. It was no use, it was the only way.

" I'll be waiting for you back at Ylissee, Tiki."

Not waiting for an answer, Tharja scurrying away from the two dragons, heading toward the exit.

" ... Goodbye my friend."

The moment she reached the door was when she heard Grima roared. Another screeching sound could be heard, like that of a wyvern... or of a manakete princess fighting. Fighting for Tharja, the cold, cruel and ruthless Plegian sorceress. Tharja kept on running without looking back. Her spells blasted off any Grimleals and Risens blocking her way.

For how long she have ran, Tharja did not know. Even with the physical boost she got from the rituals every Dark Mage had to go through, her body soon reached its limit. Tumbling over a rock, she fell forward onto the ground. Taking in deep and full breath to calm herself, Tharja finally registered her surrounding. She was far away from the Dragon's Table, far enough that Grima's roar was only that of a sound thundering in the distance.

There was no one else around her.

No one else... but herself.

She was the only one.

The only... survivor.


Fifteen Years Later,

The Outrealm Gate...

In a tent among the rows that was raised surrounding the gate, stood a blue haired warrior. She stood, gazing at an old painting. A handsome and tall young man with his arm wrapping around a young drill haired girl's waist. On the girl's hands, a bundle of joy could be seen. A baby with hair as blue as the sea, just like her father. They were all smiling in happiness. A happiness that was lost to her. To everyone.

" I will take it all back..." Thought Lucina, her hand gripping the hilt of Falchion tightly.

" I will protect the future."

With that, she stride out of her tent. Waiting outside were her friends, who shared the same fate, same pain and the same idea. They stood on both sides, forming lines as Lucina walked in the middle. A green haired woman was waiting for her at the end. She was Naga, the Divine Dragon. Who would help them making their dream come true. To change the future. To stop all of... this, from happening.

" Are you ready, child ?" Asked the Dragon God in am otherworldly yet tender voice.

" I am ready." She replied firmly, not a hint of hesitation in her voice and eyes.

" Step forward then, wait by the gate with your friends. We'll begin shortly."

Lucina walked pass Naga, the lines of her friends soon followed her step.

Naga stood right where she was, waiting for someone else. A minute later, a figure walked to her, dressed in a purple and black robe that of Plegia origin. Pulling down the hood, the person revealed herself to be Tharja, though looked older. Her skins was no longer smooth and sensual like before. Her mocking smile lost, replaced with a permanent scowl. Yet still remained, the sharpness in her features, the cruel beauty and the cold demeanor she always carry.

" Are you sure about this, Plegian ?" Naga asked, the tone of her voice showed that she cared.

" I have made my choice, Divine Dragon. Be done with it. Grima is near."

Tharja walked to the gate, ignoring the Dragon God. She had no time to waste. She was only one remain from the first generation Shepherds. Everyone else were dead. Even their dancer Olivia, passed away from illness after ten years fighting against it. The weak dancer just couldn't fight against the darkness that present in the air anymore. Not to mention the pain from losing her husband, Lon'qu, made her lost the drive to fight as well.

Least to say, Tharja was the only adult on this trip through space and time... And where she was going, they wouldn't be with her.

" We are ready." Lucina announced as Naga came to the gate. Mask in place with her haired tied back and hidden.

Naga nodded and started channeling her power. The Outerrealm Gate came to life, slowly. A portal formed inside the circle, resembling a vortex of sort. Lucina was the first to walked through the portal. Next came a young myrmidon with sun kissed blond hair and another masked man. Behind them, two girls hugged each other. The younger one with silvery hair, wearing a very familiar purple cloak, was sniffing against her elder sister's chest. The buxom black haired girl comforted her little sister. Whispering promises, that they would meet again, together with their mother... and father.

Tharja only watched from a far, refusing to get near her daughters. For she knew she wouldn't be able to hold back from hugging them and never let go...

A couple of months after Grima's resurrection, the Plegian realized that she was pregnant with another child. Later she gave birth to a healthy girl. While Noire clearly took after their mother, Morgan took after their father. At first it was only her hair and her eyes. As the child grew, the ressemble was uncanny. She was like a carbon copy of her father... Because of that, Tharja couldn't help but doted on her. While being harsh and downright cruel with Noire.

For what reason ? Many people asked.

For she needed to be strong. Strong and sharp like her mother, or more than that. So that Noire could protect her sister, her family.

" It's your turn, Plegian."

Naga's voice broke her out of her own thought. All of the children were gone.

" There were interference from Grima, the arrival time might tad a bit incorrect. Given a year or two."

Naga explained while adjusting her power, making the portal shifted lightly.

" But this time, there will be no mistake. I will make sure that you arrive at the right time."

" Well, how reassuring. Then I guess it's time for me to go."

Announced the sorceress as she walked to the gate, standing right before the portal.

" Safe trip, Tharja of Plegia. May you success in what you do."

Tharja gave the Divine God a side glance before turning back to the gate, stepping through the portal.

As soon as the form of Tharja disappeared, the portal collapsed. The energy dispersed into the air, turning the gate into that of a normal stone circle. Naga put down her hands, looking at the stone structure then at the gloomy sky above them. Giving every blessing and wishing she could make, to the children who seek a better future...

And to the woman who seek to alter the past.


Sometime in the past,

The Royal House of Plegia...

The whole citadel was in commotion. Soldiers and mages running back and forth, searching every places they deem suspicious. The young leader, Validar, was having a fit. The traitorous woman, his wife, just ran away with his most treasured posession: His son. The boy was perfect, every strand of hair down to the last drop of blood. He was the perfect vessel they were waiting for. Born to both mages with magical power potent than anyone else.

He was so perfect.

So do not question why Validar was so mad and angry, having his son taken away. Those useless fools better find his son and get rid of that woman. There would be blood to pay. He promised himself.

While the leader of the Grimleal cult were having a fit in his chamber, a mother was running through the hill. Her form hidden beneath the tree, away from the sight of the sky riders above her. On her hand, lay an infant, charmed to sleep in order to keep the boy from crying, exposing their location. But no matter where she ran, they always catch up to her. There was no escape. They would slowly closing in and she would be noticed, captured, her son taken.

Looking at her son's peaceful sleeping face and touching the boy's silky strand of silvery hair, the mother made her decision.

Carefully wrapping the boy and put him in a safe corner, casting several spells to ward off any harmful creatures. She looked at him one last time, kissing his forehead. Her tears dropped onto the child's face as she whispered her goodbye. Hoping that it would not be her last words to him...

Then she turned and run, far away from her son. Shooting spells at the sky riders above her. Gathering their attention, became the bait. They would subdue her, eventually. But the young mother refused to be capture. She was a Grimleal for Naga's sake. She knew what her cult capable of. Overloading her body with magic. With a death cry, she blew herself up along with her captor. A sphere of purple flame rose up, consuming everything in a radius of one hundred meters.

All that was left, a smoldering crater with smoking rising from the cracked earth. The survivors, seeing their target dead with no info about the child's whereabouts. Desperately search the area. But no matter where they look, the child could not be found. Even hours later, not a single cry was heard. Then came a day, nothing. No doubt about it, the child was no longer within the hill they were looking.

The hunters rode back to the capital, grudgingly, fearing for themselves, of the punishments they would receive.

And punished they shall be... When that came, they wished to be among the dead than to be alive.


Two days later, the spell castes by the mother worn off. The child came to wake and started crying. He would eventually be found by a traveler. A wise man who loves magic, swordplay as well as warfare. The child would then be raised by him, taught by him, trained by him. When the wise man fell to his illness and passed away, the boy would then travel alone, learning things and searching for a goal of his own.

One day, he would lost all that memories. The time he spent with his father. Gone, vanished... turning into a blank page.

A royal sibling would find him, laying on the grass of a green hill.

That was what supposed to happen.


A robed figure walked to the tree where an infant's cry could be heard. The child cried out loud, for the warmth, for his mother. The figure reached out, taking him into her arms. Her slender fingers gently ran from his head to his cheek. The heat of her hand caressing the child's cold cheek, making him slowly quiet down. Tiny hands, wrapping against her fingers, pulling them closer to his mouth.

The woman chuckle, pulling her hand back. Not wanting to hurt him with her nails.

" You're cute even when you've grownup... and handsome ever since you're an infant."

Pulling the child closer into her hand, the time travel sorceress walked away.

" I've got you, my love." She whispered, looking down at the child's adorable and innocent face.

" I'll protect you. Nothing will harm you. This, I swear to Naga."


Author's Note: Hello everybody. First, let me thank you all for spending your precious time reading my short story. I'm a beginner writer and not that much of an expert in Fire Emblem's lore :) But I do play several games and has my own loved characters.

The birth of this story ? The idea itself was formed the moment I play Fire Emblem Awakening. But never got the motivation to write it down. But thanks to a reader of mine from the Naruto story, I decided to write this down.

To you MrTyorel, this is my answer about wanting to write a story. To write a fanfiction (fan-fic-tion, not an original story), you must first have the knowledge about that universe, the setting, the lore, the layout, costume and especially the characters. Next you need to have a solid idea, an original idea, an outbreak, different from others. After that, you try running things on that setting. Imagining the events, the peoples and their reaction, the consequences that came with it.

For the events, the conversations. Try making them slow but not too detailed, point out the highlights, the atmosphere, the feelings, the idea. Then let the readers do the rest with their mind and imagination. Try putting yourself into the character's position, imagining things happens in their point of view. How they would react, how YOU would react.

After that, gather everything up and write a scene where readers could enjoy and think " That's interesting" or at least " That totally makes sense."

With that I end my answer to you. I hope you find this useful for your writing experience :D

Back to the story !

As you notice, this is an alternative world, my own world if you please. Most of the things would stay the same but at the same time, not the same. I'm a canon writer, so I won't stray from the game's plot. I'll make some differences here and there. Mostly logically.

Like once attained the right to use Dark tome, you'll keep it when you change class (such as Dark Knight). A silver lance could still be thrown. Because they're all spear ! or Lance ! WHATEVER !

There WILL BE HAREM ! OBJECTION OVERRULED ! COURT ADJOURNED !

And will this continue ? I'm not sure. I'm still enjoying writing Naruto - Assassin Rebirth. I will try to balance things out but don't expect an update anytime soon XD

That is all, see you all next time.

P/S: I have dark mage and pure maiden fetish. Deal with it !

Reviews, Criticism and Challenges are most welcomed !

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Bonus story is below, for those who read Author's Note :)


Five years after the days Validar's son went missing...

The man became ruthless more than ever, crueler than he usually was. To incite war between two countries, his men would dress themselves as Ylissian and attacked the Plegian's village. While attacking the Ylissian with Plegian's army. At the moment, Validar himself was razing a village to the ground. Non-believers they were. Refusing to worship Grima, the God of Destruction. Their one and only god. Daring to turned to Naga, preaching peace and happiness.

So here he was, showing these heathens that such things were non-existence. Only despair and ruin exist.

After half an hour, his men gathered at the town square, giving their reports to him. No survivors, as he asked. Smiling in satisfaction, the man rode away. Only to paused as he passed by a collapsed building. He stared at the rundown construction. He felt something there, but it was gone. Was there something else ?

After a few seconds, the Grimleal Leader turned around and back to his track. The rest of his men followed, leaving behind the tragedy they had caused.

Half an hour later after the men were gone, the door to the house creaked open. Walking out was an old woman dressed in black purple robe, a silver haired child walking beside her, holding hands. The child dressed in a dark purple pants and V neck ebony shirt. Behind them, another figure walk out, a young girl with with ashen skin and share the same silver haired as the other child. She dressed in a tradition Plegia black robe though lacking the Grimleal symbols.

" Just my luck to rest at the village destined to be destroyed by that vermin... and meeting you."

The woman glared at the young girl behind her. Making the girl stumbled back in fear, her eyes tearing up.

Before she could scare the child any further, a small tug at her hand making her looked down at the boy.

" Mother, can she come with us ?"

" Out of the question." She replied instantly.

The boy had a pain look on his face as he switches, looking back and forth between the lone girl and his mother.

" But mother, she is all alone now." The boy reasoned. " Didn't you teach me to keep caring about others ? Insisting that I follow my feeling even when you refuse to do so ? Beside..."

The boy blushed, fidgeting. " I like her. She's nice to me."

" Is that so ?" Tharja hummed to herself, looking at the young girl standing by the door.

Ashen skin, silvery hair and those eyes... I would never forget those eyes.

Five years she traveled the land with her so called son, teaching and raising the boy to the best of her abilities. There was no need to sugarcoating words. She is a heartless and cruel bitch like any other Grimleal, Tharja knew that. The least she could do while teaching the boy her trade was to retain the boy's kind and caring nature at the same time. It wasn't easy.

Because she taught him to always look for the positive in order to retain his kindness and be honest about his feelings to others. She feared the boy would turn into a mix between his future self and Henry... Not that it wasn't to her liking. The crazy boy was fine and... tolerable in his own way.

" Mother ?" The boy tugged at her hand once more.

" Fine. She can come with us."

Replied Tharja with an annoyed tone. " You girl, do you have a name ?"

The girl nodded, still shaking on her feet. She was about to say her name when the woman cut her off.

" Forget that name, they will use it to trace your origin and have you killed. You will be called... Aversa."

" That's a weird name... But I like it !" Chirped the young boy. " It sounds dreamy !"

" A...ver-sa... I like that name." The girl repeated her new name like it was a gift.

Tharja could only sigh in frustration. Stopped by a village to rest, only to have it attacked by the man she hated the most. Then finding out her son spent the whole days playing with said man's future seductress ! OH THE IRONY ! Naga hates her, Tharja thought.

Turning back to the girl, who was having quite a lively chat with her son... No, in fact, he was the only one doing the talking. The girl was only listening. Still feeling scared and hurt from witness her own village and family being slaughtered, no doubt. The boy was... trying to comfort her, maybe ? Talking about other things was a nice way to make people forget things. Maybe this event was a blessing itself.

Taking Aversa under her wing and making her loyal to her son, Tharja would permanently take out a dangerous fore in the future, hindering Validar's plan of invading Ylissee. A good move indeed... But it wouldn't stop her from feeling jealous. She already decided, her future was over, set in stone. She could never be with him, ever again... Not this version of her, at least.

She would make sure it happens, they would meet again, fell in love again and marry again. She trusted him, their love were true and mutual. Nothing and no one would stand in their way. That, Tharja was sure of...

That night, from the burned down village, three figures set out into the road. Every steps they took, the tide of fate turned and changed it course.

Nothing will remain the same, ever.

As a single flap of a butterfly's wing could cause a tsunami.

A woman's action would cause the destruction of a God...

.

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