Hello All! I know you probably wanted chapter 5 instead, but after some time thinking, making timelines, drawing up special events and working on my own skill in writing, I have decided to rewrite the current chapters, and possibly add/remove things, and change many more things. I will also be writing off of my own understanding of the characters, and less of direct quotes or actions from the game. I will hopefully update chapter 2 sometime this week.
"Chrom...we have to do something!"
"What do you propose we do?"
"I...I dunno…"
The man with stark white hair awoke with his head pounding, when he managed to open his eyes he saw a young man with blue hair and armor on, at his side was a young blonde girl in a yellow dress.
"I see you're awake now," the blue haired man noted.
"Hey there," the blonde girl greets softly.
"There are better places to take a nap than on the ground you know," the blue haired man joked. He then outstretched his hand, "Here, give me your hand."
The white haired man lifted his hand and grabbed the blue haired man's hand, who returned the grip and pulled him up to his feet.
"You all right?" the man asked.
"Er, y-yeah" the now standing man managed to get out, "T-Thank you… Chrom," as he spoke, he immediately wondered how he knew that. Wait… did it have to deal with that weird dream he had…? If so… who was that guy they were fighting? And what happened after that odd blast towards the older image of the young man in front of him?
"Ah, then you know who I am?"
"No, not really… it's strange…" the unknown man tried to explain, running his fingers through his white hair, "Your name, it just… came to me…"
"...Hmm," Chrom said, "how curious." Chrom paused, "Tell me, why were you two knocked out on the ground?" he asked. This caused the recently awake man to get confused, two? What did he mean? He turned and understood what Chrom meant, but not why.
A few feet away from the man in the purple coat lay a young man face first, with jet black hair, a light grey longcoat, and a sword sheathed at the man's left hip. Now that he noticed, the now awake man also observed a longsword sheathed at Chrom's hilt, and a man with brown hair in large blue/silver armor mounted on a horse stood a foot or tow behind Chrom.
"I...I don't know...I don't remember him at all…"
"Could you at least tell us your name, and what brings you here?"
"My name is…" he looked down, "Er…" Under the strain of trying to remember something he should have known like second nature, the brown eyed and white haired man grasped his head in pain, "Gah! I don't know!"
Chrom tilted his head slightly in confusion, "...you don't know you're own name?" he asked unsure. The unknown man shook his head, with a scowl of self appointed frustration upon his face.
"I'm afraid not, it's rather vexing…" he apologized, "All I remember is the strangest dream of a fight that you and I were involved in, and even that is extremely murky…"
The young girl interjected at that moment, "Hey! Isn't this called amnesia?"
Behind the two, the heavily armor clad man scoffed, "Unlikely, that's nothing but a load of pegasi dung. Nothing this man has spoken made any sense, no memories, yet knows the name of milord, and remembers a dream of fighting. This is utter nonsense!"
Chrom ran a hand through his lapis hair as he turned to the other two, "Well… it's certainly something I've never heard of before…" he turned back to the unnamed man, "do you have any idea of… well… anything?"
The confused man shook his head, "I'm afraid not, but I might get an idea if- " Robin was cut off by a groan. The man in blue and silver armor unmounted his steed and walked over to the man with black hair, who was getting to his knees.
"Uhh...what the? Where am I?" the black haired man asked, the blue and silver armored offered a hand silently, which the black haired man took graciously, "Thank you…?" he trailed off. "Frederick," the man in blue and silver armored introduced stiffly. Thank you Frederick."
"Glad to see your also awake," Chrom said to the unknown man.
"Thanks, but… wait… aren't you Chrom?" The second unnamed man asked.
"Funny, this man said my name as well when he woke up, do you know your name at least?" Chrom asked.
The man nodded and bowed, "Yes milord, I am Vice Commander Draxen Claw of Regna Ferox's East Army, would you perhaps indulge to me as where on earth I am?"
Chrom nodded, "Nice to meet you Vice Commander Draxen, and as for where you two are,-" he pointed to Draxen and the first unnamed man "-you are in Ylisse." Draxen gained a shocked expression while the confused man only got… well… more confused, "Ylisse?"
"Yeah!" the young girl exclaimed, "Do either of you know about it?"
"I do indeed know it Lady Lissa," the violet eyed commander affirmed immediately. The unnamed man, on the other hand, had no clue still.
"I… er… don't…"
The girl, now identified as Lissa, gave a comforting expression, "Sorry, I completely forgot about your amnesia!" she giggled at that, "I just realized how ironic that sounds!"
"I repeat, it's a load of pegasus dung," Frederick stated firmly, unbelieving of the white haired man in front of him, "at least Draxen remembers his name, besides, how is it we're to believe you remember milord's name, but not your own?"
Draxen looked around, and was muttering to himself.
"B-but it's the truth!" the now worried and unnamed man protested, Frederick stayed stone-faced.
Chrom sighed, "What if it IS true Frederick? We can't just leave him here, alone and confused, what sort of Shepherds would we be then?"
"Just the same, milord, I must emphasize caution," Frederick advised wisely, " 'Twould not do to let a wolf into our flock."
Chrom nodded, "Right then-we'll take him back to town and sort this out there" Frederick nodded at Chrom's decision.
The unknown man, however stepped back a bit in panic, "Wait just one moment. Do I have a say in this?" Chrom chuckled.
"You do," Draxen suddenly said, making everyone look at him, "But would your say be wise? You aren't the only one here who has no clue what's going on."
Chrom nodded, "We will not harm you, we just wish to see if we can understand what is going on." The unnamed sighed at this, "Alright then"
"If it is all right, may I accompany you?" the violet eyed commander requested.
Chrom nodded, and with that, the five began walking, or in Frederick's case, got back on his armored horse and galloped alongside the group.
"Chrom?" The brown eyed man asked, making the group stop.
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Where are we again?"
"Ylisse," Chrom informed him. Which appeared to have made Draxen put on an expression of deep thought again.
"Is that where we are? Ylisse?" Robin asked once more, to make sure he heard correctly. Frederick scoffed at that, "You've never heard of the halidom?" Frederick barked out a laugh, "Ha! Someone pay this actor. He plays quite the fool! The furrowed brow is especially convincing..."
Chrom sighed, apparently used to Frederick's sarcasm and wariness, "Frederick, please." Chrom turned to Robin, "This land-" Draxen suddenly cut him off.
"Ylisse, or the Halidom of Ylisse, is the large country that takes up one third of the Eastern Continent, which is also occupied by Plegia and Regna Ferox" Draxen informed him, "The ruler, whose name is Emmeryn, is called the exalt."
Chrom nodded, "What Draxen said is true," he suddenly paused, "I just realized we never really introduced ourselves, my name is Chrom, but you already knew that" he said looking towards the unnamed man for that last part.
"The delicate one here is my sister, Lissa." Chrom gestured to the young girl beside him.
Lissa pouted, "I am NOT delicate!" she turned her head away, "Hmph!" after a second she smiled and turned to the two unknowns, "Ignore my brother, please. He can be a bit thick sometimes" she teased, making Draxen chuckle a bit.
"But you're lucky the Shepherds found you" Lissa told them, "Brigands would've been a rude awakening!"
"Shepherds?" the amnesiac looked at them confused, "You tend sheep? ...In full armor?"
Chrom smiled lightly, "Heh, it's a tough job. Just ask Frederick the Wary here." he said, pointing his thumb at said armored man behind him.
Frederick bowed a bit, "It is a title I shall wear with pride" He stiffened slightly, "Gods forbid one of us keeps an appropriate level of caution, I have every wish to trust you strangers, but my station mandates otherwise.
"I understand, sir, I would do no less myself," the unnamed man told him.
"I understand as well," Draxen commented, "Caution is one's best defense." Frederick nodded at that.
"My name is Robin," the now identified man replied, surprising himself along with everyone else, "...I just remembered that," he said, "How odd. I suppose that's on mystery solved"
"And my name is Draxen, and as I stated previously, I am the Vice Commander of Regna Ferox's East Army," Draxen said, not sure if they remembered his name.
"I do remember you saying that, but what in Naga's name is the Vice Commander of Regna Ferox's East Army doing in the field unconscious?"
"That is a question I would love to have an answer to," the black haired Commander commented dryly, "Along with the answers to out enigmatic friend here." He gestured to Robin who flushed with embarrassment.
Chrom put on a thoughtful look, "Now that I think about it, Robin is definitely a foreign name…" he waved it off, "Ah let's put that aside for now, we can discuss it later-"
"Chrom look! The town!" Lissa cried suddenly, pointing ahead of them. The other four turned to see with smoke rising from places throughout it.
"Damn it!" Chrom swore, "The town is ablaze! Those cursed brigands, no doubt…" he turned his head back swiftly, "Frederick, Lissa! Quickly!" he called. Frederick hesitated, "Milord, what about Robin and Draxen?"
"Pardon my bluntness," the latter in question growled, "but like hell you're leaving me behind. I have my weapons and my head, I'm going to help." Chrom nodded, and when Frederick restated his question about Robin, Chrom sighed in frustration.
"Unless he's on fire as well, it can wait!" Chrom shouted, wanting to get to the town fast, Frederick nodded, "Aptly put, milord" Lissa stomped her foot, "Let's go already!" and with that, Chrom, Frederick, Lissa, and Draxen ran off.
"But what about-?" Robin tried to say, but cut himself off with a sigh
Wondering where his sudden moral standings, on not allowing someone to die if he can help it, came from, he took off to catch up with the other four.
"Chrom, we have to stop them!" Lissa cried, seeing the brigands strewn about the city, pillaging shops, killing men, and assaulting women.
Chrom snarled at the sights, stopping his running and getting behind a fruit stand in the plaza, where the majority of brigands were, "Don't worry-after today, these bandits won't be bothering anyone ever again…"
"You got that right, Blajiar shall see their deaths personally," Draxen grinned maliciously, the thought of battle making his Feroxion bloodlust come to light.
"Wait!" Robin cried as he ran over to them.
"Robin! You followed us! Why?" Chrom asked.
I don't know where it came from, but I couldn't just let people die if I could do something!" Robin explained. "I know I'm armed and I know my way around a fight, if you'll have me," Robin added.
"I am certainly not going to deny your help, after all, there is strength in numbers, so we need to stay close!" Chrom told them.
"All right then, Chrom, I need you to go over to that stand over there, Lissa, you're a healer right? Stay behind him," Robin suddenly ordered.
"What?" Chrom asked, confused with what's happening, along with Lissa.
"Don't ask, I have a plan!" Robin assured. Chrom hesitated, then nodded, "Alright then, let's go, follow his orders Frederick."
"Are you sure milord?" Frederick asked, skeptical of Robin. Chrom nodded, "Yes," and then went over with Lissa to where he was told to go.
"Draxen, can you attack the myrmidon by the stand?" he nodded, and drew his sword, it was something Robin had ever seen, at least, he thought he had never seen. It was a scimitar with a black interior and blue edge, it's hilt was silver and had a blue handle.
Draxen swiftly ran towards his target, who noticed and blocked his first attack. Other bandits heard the cash and began to move towards him.
"Frederick, guard Draxen, if anyone gets too close, take them out," Frederick nodded and went around to be a block in the bandits' path towards Draxen.
Draxen, who had swiftly killed the swordsman with a slash through the ribs, had backed up a bit, and unknowingly into the range of a mage, who began to cast a spell. Robin ran forward and pulled out a yellow tome and uttered a few words. A small bolt of lightning shot from his fingertips and struck the mage, putting him off balance.
"Chrom! You and Lissa flank them now that they're all gathered here!" Robin ordered, things going exactly as he planned. He was still wondering where all this tactical knowledge came from, but let it come freely if it meant saving people.
"Robin!" Frederick and Draxen exclaimed at the same time, as a fighter got too close to him and prepared to strike. Robin swiftly took out his bronze sword and blocked his attack, the fighter attempted to strike again, but was killed by a burst of dark energy.
Robin turned to see Draxen holding off another fighter with his scimitar, but in his free hand was a purple tome. "A hand here would be nice!" Chrom called. Robin turned towards Draxen, "Draxen, you and Frederick will take the center, I'll go help Chrom and Lissa"
Draxen nodded, "Alright then, don't die"
Robin nodded, and ran off towards Chrom and Lissa. When he got to where they were, a large man with a throwing axe was in front of them, with Lissa healing Chrom up a bit, there was a moderate cut on his left arm.
"We can't get any closer!" Lissa told him.
"Hahaha! Another sheep coming to be slaughtered? Hah! My name is Garrick, and I shall be the one to end your life!" Garrick lunged forward, bringing his axe down with the intent of slicing Robin's head open, but Robin swiftly put his sword up in a block just in time.
"You won't be killing anymore!" Robin shouted as he cast a lightning bolt at the bandit leader.
"Magic?" He growled. He charged once more at Robin, but was not fast enough as the amnesiac easily dodged and slashed, but it still wasn't enough, for the axe wielding brute turned away from where Robin originally was in front of Chrom and Lissa, and to where he was now, behind Garrick.
"Chrom, let's finish this!" Robin shouted, "Right!" Chrom replied, as Chrom got up and charged Garrick with Falchion.
"Huh!?" Garrick didn't expect that, since he thought Chrom was still injured from a simple axe wound. Unfortunately for the bandit, his last words were 'Huh!?' since Robin fired another lightning bolt and Chrom pierced his chest.
Garrick fell with a thump.
Draxen and Frederick came over after that, their enemies having fallen to them as well.
"Well, that's the end of that" Robin stated.
Lissa sighed in relief, "Lucky for the town, we were close by" she then stared at Robin with awe in her eyes, "But holy wow Robin! You were incredible! Swords, sorcery, AND tactics! Is there anything you can't do?"
"Apparently remember anything," Draxen commented, which caused Chrom, Lissa, and Robin to laugh.
"Aside from his humour," Frederick began, "I must admit Draxen did exceedingly well on the battlefield, he appears to have skill with his blade and proficiency for dark magic as well," Draxen nodded.
"Well you two are certainly no helpless victims, that much is sure," Chrom said, "especially you Draxen, it's rare to see Frederick impressed."
"Ahem," Frederick coughed, "Anyways, perhaps now you might even be capable of an explanation for you two came here?"
"I understand your skepticism, Sir Frederick, and I cannot explain why only some knowledge has returned to me," Robin said, "but please believe me, I have shared all that I know."
"You fought to save Ylissean lives. My heart says that's enough" Chrom stated firmly.
"And your mind, milord?" Frederick asked, "Will you not heed its counsel as well?"
"Frederick, the Shepherds could use someone with Robin's, and since he's here, Draxen's talents." Chrom explained, "We have countless brigands and a certain unruly neighbor, all looking to stain our soil red. Would you really lose us an able tactician, and a powerful magic swordsman?" Chrom asked rhetorically. "Besides, I believe his story, as odd as it might be" he finished.
"Th-thank you, Chrom" Robin managed to get out, grateful for Chrom standing up to him.
"Indeed, I am grateful for your defense about my sudden appearance, and for your information, my class is that of a Warlock."
"I've never heard of a warlock before!" Lissa exclaimed in awe of Draxen.
"So how about it?" Chrom asked, "Will you join us Robin? Draxen?"
Robin bowed, "I would be honored"
Draxen nodded, "Gladly, Lord Chrom."
Chrom smiled, "Then, welcome to the Shepherds, you two!"
The now five Shepherds stood by the plaza, watching as it was fixed up.
"Did you notice, milord?" Frederick asked Chrom, "The brigands spoke with a Plegian accent."
"Plegian? What's that?" asked Robin.
"Plegia is Ylisse's westerly neighbor" Chrom explains, "They send small bands into our territory, hoping to instigate a war,"
Lissa sighed sadly, "And it's the poor townsfolk who suffer! Totally innocent, and totally helpless…"
Draxen snarled, "I hate men who live for nothing more than conquest and war, a little fighting is good, as long as it isn't lethal, but murder for fun is too far."
"Do not forget, they have us milady: Shepherds to protect the sheep," Frederick reminder Lissa, "Do not be swept up in your anger. It will cloud your judgement," Draxen nodded at that, "Sage advice Frederick, sage advice" Frederick nodded at Draxen recognition of his words.
"I know, I know…" Lissa sighed, then turned cheerful, "Don't worry. I'll get used to all this."
A villager came up to them, "Milord, please! You must stay the night!" he offered, "we are simple folk of simple means, but we would gladly toast your valor with a feast!"
"A most generous offer, sir, and no doubt your hospitality would be grand…" Frederick began, "But I'm afraid we must hurry back to Ylisstol"
Lissa, on the other hand, was thinking something else, "Dark meat for me, medium well, and no salt in the soup. I simply-" she realized what Frederick had said, "Wait, we aren't staying?!" she exclaimed, "But, Frederick, it's nearly dark!" she whined, as the villager made his way back, shoulders sagging slightly as his offer was turned down.
Frederick turned, "When night falls, we'll camp. Eat off the land, make our bed of twigs and the like" he smiled, "I believe you mentioned you would be 'getting used to this'?"
Draxen chuckled lightly.
Lissa sighed, "Frederick? Sometimes I hate you."
Robin grimaced, "You've quite the stern lieutenant there," Robin commented to Chrom. Lissa overheard and groaned, "Yeah, well, 'stern' is one name for it. I can think of others!"
Chrom chuckled, "Frederick only smiles when he's about to bring down the axe." he told Robin.
"Even then, I'm not sure you want to see him smile, it's creepy" Draxen commented with a slight shudder.
"Duly noted" Robin said.
Ahem* Frederick cleared his throat, "You do realize I AM still present?" Chrom smiled.
"Oh, we realize," Chrom said, causing all but Frederick to laugh lightly.
Frederick sighed, "Milord remains as amusing as ever. Now then, shall we be going?"
Chrom waved his hand lightly, "All right, all right" he turned to Robin, "Ready to go Robin? The capital isn't far" Robin nodded.
And with that the five Shepherds began their journey to Ylisstol.
If you're curious about Draxen, Here's a mock profile:
Name: Draxen, A young veteran with no idea how he ended up in Ylisse.
Class: Warlock, A dark mage skilled with a sword, high STR and MAG, but low HP and LCK
LV: 2
HP: 16
STR: 9+2
MAG: 9
SPD: 7
SKL: 7
LCK: 0
DEF: 7
RES: 7
Equipment:
Blajiar MT:9 HIT: 90 AVO: 10 A weapon with dubious origins. Draxen only.
Nosferatu
Dark Increase - Enhances sword strikes with dark magic. 2 Strength