Well... here's chapter 2. review please?
Chrom found himself in the middle of a field with a view of the ocean. "Robin...?" He immediately scanned the area. It was fairly dark out... and Robin was no where in sight. She simply wasn't there... "Gods..." His hand made its way to his face as he groaned. He remembered her slipping out of her hands... "Damn it." They were lost, separated and lost somewhere and somewhen in time... He needed to find Robin... Grudgingly, he secured his pack and Falcion before heading off in the along the oceanside. Hopefully, he would be able to find a village or something...
After a long while, Chrom came across a small town by a harbour. There were plenty trees and homes in the area, but the people seemed to be on an edge and were keeping to themselves. There was also what Chrom took as some sort of defensive structure, more inland, in the distance. After getting a feel for the area, he headed to a local tavern to gather information. Robin had always told him that the tavern was the best place to gather information whenever one was lost...
Chrom opened the door and made his way to a seat at the bar. He pulled out a few gold coins and requested a drink. There were several other men in the room drinking and eating noisily by the bar. He had grabbed a seat that was relatively close by to them so he could listen to their conversation.
"...Rumour has it that they'll bee leaving soon..." The bar tender accepted Chrom's gold as he handed him a drink and meekly went over to the other men and refilled theirs.
"Aye... my... heh... my "friend," on the palace guard confirmed that... thought he'd never leave... though this presents an opportunity in itself..."
"Heh... well that means that we're going to need to head back tonight... Goner's gonna want us back at the base... Rumour has it that they'll be heading out tomorrow afternoon..." What were these guys talking about? They seemed to be either pirates or mercenaries... "Course it would be more simple to just make our move before they leave... I hear that they have offered a huge bounty on all three of their heads..."
Chrom's eyes narrowed as he finished his drink. These men sounded like they were most likely part of the group which made the town residents so scared... and they were going to do that to more if he didn't stop them.. He smiled a bit as he thanked the bartender for his drink. He carefully examined the men still drinking and made a mental note their build and appearances... He had until noon tomorrow to formulate some sort of idea to take a bunch of pirates down...
Robin groaned as she woke up. Her body was sore and her head, throbbing. Her sense of danger kicked in as she examined her current situation. She was in a fairly dark room lit by a few candles and had been bound to a fairly comfortable chair in front of a large ornate mirror. Her belongings were sitting at an adjacent table, the ring that Chrom had given to her was gone, and someone had changed her clothes. She frowned as she gazed at her reflection. Robin found herself wearing dark robes and ornaments that were fairly similar to what Validar wore, and they bore patterns that resembled the brand on her hand… She struggled futilely against her bonds as she nervously called out into the darkness. "Hello?" She could see no traces of movement behind her and the candle flickering only increased her uneasiness.
She took a deep breath to collect herself as she recalled what had happened upon her arrival to this time. She recognized her assailant's name- Gharnef… Chrom had convinced her to read up on Ylisse's history to understand their daughter's admiration for the Hero-King Marth and the "Demon King" Gharnef had been portrayed as the villain in those stories… Robin vaguely remembered that he brought forth one of the greatest evils in the world, but failed to recall who it was… the only other thing she remembered was that this great evil could possibly have served someone who wished to bring forth despair to the world…
Chrom spent a great deal of time tailing the men after they left the bar and began followint them to their hideout. He learned a few things about the port village he was in. He was in a place called Galder Harbour... The pirates had made the village their hideout and had been terrorizing the residents for a few months now. After they had managed to take over the small naval outpost by the village, they were planning on moving more inland. Chrom smiled silently almost with anticipation as he disappeared into the shadows of the forests that surrounded the base, still trailing the men. He knew he needed to find Robin immediately, but she'd never forgive him if he abandoned people who needed help...
It was a small fortress to be sure… Chrom hid himself in the darkness by one of its towers. Daylight was rapidly approaching, so he allowed himself a few moments of repose. He had a fairly simple plan to get rid of the pirates: cut down every single one he comes across, but he wished Robin was with him… When the sun's first rays first came over the horizon, Chrom set himself to work.
He had made quick work of the pirates he came across, but he found it strange. For a base of this size, he expected slightly more resistance... His confusion was removed when he heard sounds of conflict at the other end of the base. Whoever was there most likely wanted to liberate the town, and ultimately provided a well wanted distraction.
Eventually, Chrom found himself in a large corridor with a large number of pirates and mercenaries. They hadn't noticed him. He could tell the other intruders were close by and the mercenaries were apparently having no luck with them as well, and were currently readying themselves for their arrival. Chrom planned to strike as he still had surprise on his side, but notion was removed when Falcion started glowing with a bright light. Several pirates turned their attention to him as the light died out. He remembered that Lucina's Falcion had done that once, and he thought that her sword was trying to warn her of something...
At the other end of the room, he could make out a small number of a people who had also were engaging the other pirates. Barely noting them, Chrom concentrated on the pirates and readied Falcion before he concentrated on plowing through the mercenary forces that were spread across the entire room.
A loud creaking noise broke her reverie. Someone had entered the room she was being held captive in… She swallowed again and took another deep breath. "Is anybody there…?"
She could make out two figures in the darkness that were slowly approaching her and recognized them once they stepped into the pale light. She immediately identified them as Gharnef and the elderly dragon-like man from earlier. Gharnef appeared to be deep in thought but his eyes were focused on her. He still carried a tome, but this time he was also carrying a dark green sphere. Robin's eyes glazed over the orb. It gave off a dark vibe… The other man looked as sinister as before, so it didn't help as he walked over beside her and he gazed at her nervous figure in the mirror.
"You…" The elder man seemed to taking his time in examining his prisoner. "…Why do you ally yourself with the cursed servants of that wretched worm… When you, yourself have the blood of a god flowing through you?" He stepped in front of Robin and lifted her chin up with his clawed hand so that their eyes met.
"I…" She felt a chill as their eyes locked. His touch felt like ice… This person was cold and extremely dangerous… "I'm no god, nor do I have the power that you think I have…and I haven't allied myself with anyone of that sort." Was he referring to humans? Robin was fond of her time with the Shepards and didn't have any wish to be above them...
The man smiled as he gestured to his companion to approach. "Then I suppose you do not mind telling me what this is…" He reached into a pocket and drew out her ring and brought it before her eyes. Immediately, Robin felt her heart sink as his eyes narrowed in on her pained expression. "This… smells of a cursed servant of Naga… and as one who is capable of wielding the power of the greatest of the earth dragons…why have you lowered yourself… allowed yourself… bound yourself... so that you are oppressed by such a pathetic being?"
Robin felt her back arch as anger flashed in her eyes. She braced her fists as she glared back at the man. No one would ever refer to Chrom as a lesser person. "Don't you dare talk about him like that you dastard," she furiously spat out. "And I have no desire be become some sort of vessel for a damn dragon."
The elderly man only cackled as he removed her ring from her sight, amused with her rage. "Medeus…" Robin turned to see Gharnef fiddling around with his orb to her right. "I suggest we loosen her tongue…" She gritted her teeth half-expecting him to blast her again but instead found herself entranced as he waved his hand in front of her face.
Robin immediately tried to turn away and shut her eyes, but she found herself completely focused on Gharnef's bony figures. It was hypnotic... She could feel her strength being sapped away and her body weaken as she became enthralled by the gestures in front of her. Her eyelids grew heavier as her resistance disappeared. After her eyes shut, she felt like she was being consumed by darkness, but made no struggle as she was bathed in the strange dark green light…
Gharnef gave a satisfactory nod to Medeus as he finished admiring his work. He approached Robin and spoke softly into her ear. "Medeus wishes to learn of what you know, woman…" He snapped his fingers in front of her face and Robin's eyes immediately opened.
Robin had turned to Medeus with an almost palpable anticipation on her face. The fire and resistance in her eyes and body was gone… Medeus gave an evil smirk as he moved to directly face Robin and cupped her face in his hand. "Why do you carry a ring that reeks of a servant of the accursed divine dragon and what manner of human are you, to speak of dragons?"
Robin nodded slowly, she was eager to comply. "I…" Her voice sounded hollow, and if anyone she knew heard her they would say that it didn't sound like the same person they knew… "My name is Robin… I served as chief tactician in Chrom's army…" Her face betrayed no emotion and her irises were pitch black. "He… gave me that ring when he proposed to me…" The woman swallowed slightly and hesitated. Gharnef leered curiously at her. Was there still some resistance left in her? "He… and I led the Shepards to victory against the fell dragon Grima..."
"And who is this… Chrom?" Medeus' eyes showed a single spark of anger at the mentioning of Grima's defeat…
"He's…" Robin's voice faltered and jaw trembled. Gharnef had shot a slightly bewildered glance over to Medeus. No one had been able to resist the power of the Darksphere, and they both knew it. He allowed himself to relax as Robin began speaking again. That was twice that anyone displayed any sort of resistance while under his spell… Her voice resumed its usual monotonous tone. "Chrom means the world to me. Even when I-we found that Validar could control me because of my lineage…and Grima's heart which beats within me…" Robin paused for a moment as a single tear formed in her eyes. Medeus watched the small display of emotion as the tear dripped down her face with a sly smile on his face. "He trusted me with his life…and I love him."
"I see…" Medeus gestured over to Gharnef and the two gave themselves some distance from Robin. "Gharnef… will it be possible to completely control Robin?" He glanced over his shoulder to see the reflection to see the dazed woman. Even he was surprised to see someone break Gharnef's hold on someone.
He companion smoothed his hand over the sphere. "It should be possible… but I've never seen anyone resist the power of the Darksphere… Gharnef raised his crystal ball as his teeth flashed to form an evil smile. "Of course it simply means that breaking her will, will be more satisfying…"
Medeus nodded. "We will use the tactician to our advantage to crush the cursed descendent of Anri…" He traced the evil grin on his lips. "Pit her against this other representative of Naga she spoke of...And perhaps we will be able to weaken with the seal with her power…" He glanced over at Gharnef and her belongings. Gharnef nodded his head and his eyes gleamed. He took two of the tomes - Grima's truth along with one that depicted a dragon on its cover and handed them to Medeus after he had finished removing Robin's bonds. Medeus gave a light snicker as he carefully examined the light blue tome. He handed Grima's truth back to Gharnef and muttered something inaudible before he walked over by her side.
Gharnef handed the tome to her. Robin accepted the tome with hesitation, although she had hardly glanced at the diabolical sorcerer, but she accepted it nonetheless. He unleashed the Darksphere's eerie power again and cackled softly, but he silenced himself as Medeus leaned forward to whisper in her ear. She stared at him uncomprehendingly like a doll, just observing his every move. "In time, you will remember and curse this... Chrom's name… and forget your time with him..."
The woman's head slowly nodded as she eyes slowly fluttered shut. "Yes, my lord…"
He had just registered the sound of a steel sword clattering to the ground when he was already mid-swing and his sword was on its way to finding where the pirates' leader once stood. Falcion cut through the air and was intercepted by another blade. Their swords let out a clear clang as the two blades clashed. Chrom gazed over at his opponent. He mirrored his own calm, but commanding look he had in his eyes, as well as hs own blue eyes and hair...
The two stared at each other trying to get a measure on their opponent, but he had reinforcements unlike Chrom. He murmured something to a knight in red armour as he focused on Chrom. The knight and the other companions had formed a circle around the two with the weapons unsheathed. They had cut off any form of escape.. Chrom swallowed slightly as he took a defensive position seeing that he was severely outnumbered and possibly outmatched... Robin would have lectured him for allowing his back to be taken...
"Marth!" A young woman with long dark blue hair emerged from the end of the hallway and broke through the circle. She gently grabbed his sword hand and forcefully lowered it. "He's obviously not in league with the Galder pirates..."
Marth slowly put away his sword, but his eyes never came off Chrom, nor did his hand leave the hilt. "My apologies sir..." He waved to his men to back away leaving the three alone in the corridor. "I am Marth, prince of Altea, and this is Caeada, pegasus knight and princess of Talys." Caeda gave a small courteous bow upon introduction. "Exactly why did you come here?"
Chrom returned Falcion to its sheath as he nodded. Normally, he'd be ecstatic to have a conversation with Marth, but he knew he had to find Robin and his gait showed that he would not forgive any lies. "My name is Chrom...my.. companion and I were separated upon arrival..." He really didn't want to explain that he and Robin came through an Outreal gate from a different time, and thankfully Marth and Caeda weren't asking. "I found myself at the town and decided to help the townsfolk after learning they were being oppressed by pirates..." He scratched the back of his neck. This sounded less stupid in his head. "Ultimately I decided to try and overthrow the pirates after learning they intended to move more inland and attack more towns... though I did hope I'd manage to procure a map so I'd be able to search for my friend... or that she'd be here."
Marth nodded after he had finished his explanation. His hand came off his sword as he crossed his arms, slightly more relaxed. "My companions and I did not find any here who were not pirates or mercenaries." Chrom gave a slight sigh, though he figured that would be the case. "We have been charged with freeing Altea, and this was our first step..." He was about to continue but Caeda cut him off and pulled one of his hands with her as she approached Chrom.
"...And in these dark times, taking up the sword to help strangers is rare... but Marth promises he will help with finding your companion..." She countinued. Caeda gave a winning smile as she forced Marth's hand open and moved it in front of a flabbergasted Chrom. "Though he must ask as we plan on traveling the world to reclaim Altea, will you accompany us on quest sir?"
Chrom smiled as hand made its way to the outstretched one that Caeda had pulled before him. Robin had told him that travelling in groups also increased the effectiveness of a single unit and increase their mobility... The two men shook hands. "Marth, I would be honoured."
lemme know if there are any big errors... i have a habit of leaving things partially unedited...
